Speed Racer

Official Movie Website: Speed Racer

Swanner: Last night I saw the premier of Speed Racer. For those that don’t know, Speed Racer was a Japanese cartoon that made it’s debut in the US in the fall of 1967 and has been on TV ever since. I couldn’t find out how many episodes were actually made but it seemed like hundreds but were probably less than 100. No matter how many they made it made a major impact on all the kids that watched them. I was never into the show as a kid but I knew of it and sometimes watched it because there were only so many shows to watch at 3:30 in 1967.

Judd: I tried watching the cartoon once or twice and I didn’t like it.  I don’t like any cartoons from that era except for Scooby-Doo (particularly the 2nd season that featured groovy songs during the chase scenes) and The Pink Panther.  Oh, and there were only 52 original Speed Racer episodes.  Anyway, Speed Racer is the latest offering from the Wachowski… Siblings— Larry is transitioning, don’t you know – and stars Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Mathew Fox, Richard Roundtree and Emile Hirsch.

Swanner: The story here catches everyone up with where the original show took place. We see that Speed’s brother Rex died in a tragic car rally and now the folks are worried about how far Speed will go after dealing with a CEO of a major corporation that gobbles up athletes for breakfast. The movie is all about regretting things from the past and stopping corporations from controlling all they can buy. It’s more of a message movie (which I never thought I’d say about Speed Racer).  That doesn’t drag down the good time that the Wachowski siblings create in this beautiful world of Speed Racer.

Judd: I hated it.

Swanner: You can’t hate it. It was too yummy to hate. The production design was amazing and the editing…Oscar worthy. I also loved the way the actors knew how their cartoon counterparts looked and acted. The costumes and the set decoration was perfect. Actually there isn’t anything about this movie I didn’t like. This movie was made by people who really loved the old cartoon and took real care in making it something special.

Judd: I can to hate it!  And I hated it!

Swanner: You didn’t even see the movie. You’re like those idiots that give movies no stars because they don’t like the actor or that it’s based on a TV series. You can hate all you want but in the end I will win out because as we all know…good will always win over evil. Did I mention the cast was pretty cute…Matthew Fox plays Racer X!!!

Judd: Was there blood?  Was anyone decapitated?  Were there static shot of actors looking morose?  No?  Then I hated it!

Swanner: And Shakespeare didn’t write the script either. The Movie was really great, you on the other hand…suck.

Swanner: 4 Stars
Judd: I hated it!