Speed Racer (2008)

“Go Speed go!”


Directed by: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Written by: Andy and Larry Wachowski
Produced by: Joel Silver, Grant Hill, Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Cinematography by: David Tattersall
Starring: Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox
Music by: Michael Giacchino



So. Speed Racer. Hated by critics, dismissed at the box office. It's easy to understand why - this is a film that's like nothing that's ever come before it. It's a family film, a ground breaking special effects extravaganza, and a treatise on self purpose, strength of character, the value of family, and the importance of doing what you're "meant" to do.

If it sounds confusing, you're not far off - but I have a theory about this, and the theory is this: this, my friends, is the next wave of film. Look at all other forms of art - they have different periods, different styles throughout the years. Different techniques are adapted, new styles used to bring about new messages and ideas, and bold new changes that tell you this is new. This is different. And, interestingly enough, the first thing that often welcomes a brand new style is dismissal and outright disgust from the critics.

Speed Racer plays with color, sounds, movement, philosophy, and story structure in such unheard of ways that it's entirely too easy to dismiss it - this is a far cry from the intricately structured and subtext laden Matrix trilogy. In fact, here the Wachowski brothers have gone the exact opposite route - instead of wanting you to examine every last minutia of the film, they want you to accept everything at surface value. By cutting across time lines and tying together thematically - and tonally - disparate storylines they're able to create moods and ideas that startingly come to life when you're not even looking for them. Confused?

Think of the paint on (or in) a house - one color brings about it's own feelings and moods. Pair it with another color - which also has it's own feeling and mood - and the two create an entirely new experience.

This is what the Wachowskis are doing with Speed Racer. They're taking radically different elements and blending them together for an altogether new experience. It's visually, aurally, and intellectually stimulating - and awesome. This isn't the first film to do this - The Fountain did it (marvelously) a year and a half ago , and it, too, was dismissed by many. And, like The Fountain, Speed Racer's ending involves an impressive crescendo that draws upon every moment in the film up till then, and culminates in a moment where the film very nearly transcends the medium. I kid you not.

Of course, Speed Racer is also just a fun family movie. As technically impressive and emotionally uplifting it is, it won't change your life. And yes, I could be full of crap - after all, I'm no "true" critic, I'm just a guy that writes stuff.

But I'm convinced that I'm right. This truly is the next "wave" of film, and it's absolutely thrilling to be able to see it happen.

And yes, Speed Racer isn't prefect. It has it's faults. (It's a bit too long, for one thing.) But it's oh-so worth it. It takes a while to get used to it, but when you do, prepare yourself - Speed Racer is an utter and complete blast.

"Go Speed go!" indeed.