Wow, do I wish I saw Speed Racer on the IMAX. Seriously, this film got a bum rap for no good reason. It's visually inventive, kinetic, emotional, and exciting. There wasn't a minute I wasn't thoroughly entertained. Really, why this was panned is beyond me as it truly is a live action cartoon, with its layers of live action and CGI frames, along with a mature anti-corporate message. After the travesty that was Matrix Revolutions, the Wachowskis really made a comeback with this one. I have to thank Dennis Cozallio and his wonderful blog for convincing me to see this critically panned film, which is actually one of the best of 2008. Go Speed Racer Go!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Terrible What Passes For a Ninja These Days
Wow, do I wish I saw Speed Racer on the IMAX. Seriously, this film got a bum rap for no good reason. It's visually inventive, kinetic, emotional, and exciting. There wasn't a minute I wasn't thoroughly entertained. Really, why this was panned is beyond me as it truly is a live action cartoon, with its layers of live action and CGI frames, along with a mature anti-corporate message. After the travesty that was Matrix Revolutions, the Wachowskis really made a comeback with this one. I have to thank Dennis Cozallio and his wonderful blog for convincing me to see this critically panned film, which is actually one of the best of 2008. Go Speed Racer Go!
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I agree that it was unfairly panned, but I think "Speed Racer" apologists also give the thing a bit too much credit. Just because the Watchowski's film suggests an argument of an "anti-corporate" nature doesn't necessarily mean they follow through with it, and I don't think they really do.
The film is indulgently long and the first 20 minutes or so especially are headache inducing, as the filmmakers try to squeeze way too much backstory into a short frame of time.
This is a visually impressive film with enough ideas to make it marginally worth seeing (kind of like "Watchmen," actually), but for every bit of good will in earns, it invalidates that praise with goofy action sequences and endless exposition.
However, John Goodman is, oddly, kind of great in this movie.
- Sam C. Mac
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