Speed Racer's (Emile Hirsch) love of car racing becomes a mission to expose corruption and restore honor to his family's name.
This live-action assault on the senses--garish Day-Glo colors, loud, fast, endless computer-generated race scenes--is based on the classic Saturday morning cartoon series, which is way more suitable and enjoyable for young children. The movie definitely has a tale to tell, but it does so through long, yawn-inducing speeches that will go over the heads of many kids. There's a surprising amount of violence and a cast of creepy characters with far less humanity than the animated stars of Cars. Ironically, at over two hours long, this story about the need for speed seems to take forever to reach the finish line.
This movie is intended for older children.
This movie is intended for older children.
Once they figure out what's going on, younger children may be disillusioned to learn about corporate corruption and the fact that races can be "fixed." They may also find it very disturbing when a racer is thrown out of a moving vehicle and threatened with flesh-eating fish, who bite off another man's finger. Older kids--probably boys--may feel right at home with the video-game look of the race scenes and will wish they had a joystick to get in on the action. They'll also enjoy the antics of Chim-Chim, the Racer family pet chimpanzee, and will laugh at the trouble he gets into with Speed's younger brother.
Tweens may respect Speed's passion for the sport, and will get the idea that for real winners, pride in a job well done is reward enough. They'll appreciate the close-knit Racer family and will understand Speed's determination to avenge his brother's death. With a Mach 5 souped up by his inventive dad (John Goodman), tweens will be impressed that Speed's got the car, but will realize--more importantly--he's got the drive.
