Speed Racer [DVD] [2008] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

There is something about the Wachowski Brothers that film critics, and much of the general public, simply don't get. We have already seen how their brilliant Matrix sequels were panned by critics - largely on the grounds that these people simply didn't understand them - and now we're seeing the same thing with Speed Racer, which is being subjected to some of the most undeserved vitriol from critics that I have ever seen.

I loved this movie. It's not perfect, and it's not a work of genius like the Matrix trilogy was, but it's yet another example of how these two brothers attempt to push the boundaries of film-making. The editing - including the floating wipes and non-linear narrative - are top-notch. As one online reviewer put it, the Wachowskis have managed to transcend the boundaries of time and space in this movie. Not only have they achieved shots in which we are looking at two different things happening in two different places at the same time, they are also able to move us back and forward through time with effortless ease, and without disrupting the flow of the story.

If you're an idiot bent on hating Speed Racer no matter what, though, it's likely that the complex, visual style of storytelling on display here will befuddle you beyond redemption. I read with amazement, for example, the amount of people who found the opening sequence, during which we see scenes of one of Speed's races interspersed with his back-story told through flashbacks, completely bewildering. And yet the storytelling couldn't BE any clearer, in reality. I even shook my head in dismay as I read the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw claim that in the film, cars go through other cars "like ghosts". No one who understood the film (and thus was worthy of reviewing it) could have made such a simplistic, embarrassing assertion.

Anyway, this is in fact a brilliant film. Ignore all the reviewers' tropes about "over-reliance on special effects", "style over substance", "no characterisation or soul", etc. All of these criticisms miss the mark at a basic level. Watch it free of the shackles of prejudice and prepare to be blown away by a tour de force in imaginative, visual film-making. I certainly was.

Besides, the film has a chimp in a hard hat, riding a buggy while rockin' out to Freebird. Need I give it any higher an endorsement?

Forget about the story as you know whats going to happen at the end about a young car driver driving for an independent family company.. oh theres races?? hmmmm is he going to come first??! of course he is... but for the people missing the actual point of the film is entertainment.
The action sequences are flashy,your television spits out colours you never knew possible and your eyes are in for a real treat in all things graphics and speed of the animation.. yes the story does suck.. and anything that includes a pet chimp (rise of the planet of the apes doesnt count here!!) you know you cant take this film seriously.
Some parts slow right down and sometimes you just wish some races would finish (mountain pass being a boring one coupled with fighting... sighs..) but all in all,esp blu ray its worth getting for the action set pieces and cranking up the volume..switch your brain off too... :D

I really enjoyed this movie for something completely different.
After the first ten minutes I was thinking "what am I watching" with its flourescent fake background and cheesy storyline but it turned out to be really entertaining. Firstly it is really colorfull and not many scenes are filmed on a real set so if this will annoy you its probably best not to watch it. This is the kind of movie you can pick the hell out of but if you are happy to sit back and be taken to a world of fantasy you might enjoy this like I have.
A lot of its cheesyness comes from the fact it is trying to stay partly faithfull to the original series whilst still making it futuristic. It was not perfect but was pretty good escapism and the special effects team have done a superb job.
Probably not a young childs movie however and maybe thats where people are confused with it. The visuals would seem to suit a young child and might be hard going for some adults but the storyline is suited to an older audience and might be boring for children.