Speed Racer (2008)

Director: Lana Wachowski

Cast: Emile Hirsch as Speed Racer, Nicholas Elia as Young Speed, Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer, Melissa Holroyd as Speed's Teacher, Ariel Winter as Young Trixie, Scott Porter as Rex Racer, Gian Ganziano as Everyman Announcer, Peter Fernandez as Local Announcer, Harvey Friedman as Harold Ledermann Announcer, Sadao Ueda as Japanese Announcer, Valery Tscheplanowa as Russian Announcer, Sami Loris as Italian Announcer, Olivier Marlo as French Announcer, Sean McDonagh as Celtic Announcer, Kick Gurry as Sparky

Well, what you've got here is a case of audience/critic disagreement.
Obviously, this movie will get bashed by the critics because of its
cartoonish and campy mood, but that's just it: the world shown on
screen by the Wachowski brothers is marvelous. The animation is perfect
for the atmosphere they're trying to create. Don't go in expecting
Matrix-esquire effects, because there aren't any bullet time scenes.
The effects used are so fitting for this movie because they're almost
cartoonish and the movie doesn't take itself too seriously.

The film, an adaptation of the long running Japanese anime, revolves
around natural racing phenomenon Speed (the wonderful Emile Hirsch) and
his family, which somehow includes John Goodman and Susan Sarandon
(whoever pulled off this casting deserves some kind of award). Oh yeah,
and the casting directors managed to get Matthew Fox and Christina
Ricci as well. What really stood out in this area is that everyone
involved really understood the characters and the world that Speed
Racer is supposed to display. It's not supposed to be overly serious,
nor is it supposed to be that realistic either. With the warm
performances of Hirsch, Goodman, and Ricci, you get transported into
another world (isn't that the point of movies anyway?). Matthew Fox is
also great as the mysterious Racer X, whose role is sort of
misconstrued by the previews. He showed a different side that I didn't
think he could on 'Lost'.

The visual effects, as I've said before, aren't going to be
Matrix-esquire, but there are a few "whoa" factor sequences that had my
jaw dropping. I also need to warn you that, if you can't take fast
camera movements or rapid shots, be careful. It's not as bad as
Cloverfield or Blair Witch (because the quickness only occurs in the
race sequences), but I'd still try to grab a seat in the middle or back
of the theater. The film is visually stunning outside of the races
themselves as well. The buildings, the cities, the homes, the cars
themselves...all beautiful.

The Wachowski brothers get an A+ for keeping the movie in the spirit of
the show as much as they could (they really did a great job), however
the film has a major flaw: a runtime of just under 2 and a half hours.
That's a BIG no no for a movie that is obviously marketed towards kids,
unless it has the names "Star Wars" or "Harry Potter" on it. The film
also has a sensual scene or two featuring Ricci and Hirsch, not to
mention occasional language.

My advice: don't listen to the critics, see this movie for the fact
that it's pure entertainment for the audience, and it will take you
away to a visually stunning world for a couple hours. Definitely an
enjoyable movie for the entire family.