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posted Friday, May 9, 2008 - Volume 36 Issue 19 |
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Sparkly Speed Racer will blow your mind |
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| Sparkly Speed Racer will blow your mind |
by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid -
SGN A&E Writer
Speed Racer
Opening May 9
If I had a huge budget and was a Hollywood producer/director, and I wanted to make a film that was just pure fun - one that whole families could see - but that wouldn't be so goopy that even children would roll their eyes, what would I make? I'd make something like the new Speed Racer, which shows that, yes, films made from '60s television/cartoon series can be fun, and with some tweaking here and there, even an update can be true to the original. And having grown up watching Speed Racer and singing that infectious song, I know from whence I speak.
Probably most folks' introduction to the manga genre before anyone knew anything about Japanimation in this country, Speed Racer brought together elements that have made manga a household word for many fans of the genre. Action, adventure and Asian characters who are both shady and noble, precursors to films like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, this series attracted a broad cross-section of fans, and if you ask anyone who grew up watching the show, they'll probably say this is what got them interested in other, later manga comics in the first place. For latecomers, the movie gives them a chance to get in on the joy we "oldsters" enjoyed back then.
The movie, like the cartoon version, doesn't depend a lot on strong plotlines, though there is a storyline that parallels the cartoon. Speed Racer, who grows up being interested in fast cars and idolizing his racecar-driving brother (Scott Porter), lives in a technicolor world where his father (John Goodman), mom (Susan Sarandon in a whimsical departure from films like Dead Man Walking and others), little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), and the family pet, a monkey named Chim Chim, love racing and fast cars, too. Dad's company builds racecars and mom and Spritle are the backup support to their sons' careers and cheering section when necessary. They also are each other's comfort after son Rex Racer (Porter) is believed killed in a racing accident on a treacherous course.
Like the show, Speed longs to bring glory to the family and is pitted against a colorful group of villainous racers in various fantasy races, and is eventually recruited by Racer X (Matthew Fox) and Inspector Detector (Bruno Furr) to bring down some truly wicked criminals involved in fixing races. All of this against a backdrop so amazing and dazzling to the eyes that one wonders if people using "mood altering substances" should be warned ahead of time. Just imagine a video game on the big screen, one with sparkly, pretty visuals and graphics, and lots of action sequences, and you get the idea. Oh, and Christina Ricci as Speed's girl, Trixie, is a stroke of pure genius. I haven't liked her this much since her role in the updated Addams Family some years back. In short, this film is mouthwatering bag of tasty candy for the eyes and one you won't feel bad taking the kids to, or enjoying as a kid at heart yourself.
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