Speed Racer is the tale of a young and brilliant racing driver. When corruption in the racing leagues costs his brother his life, he must team up with the police and the mysterious Racer X to bring an end to the corruption and criminal activities. Inspired by the cartoon series.
Speed Racer creates a timeless, visually seductive world suspended somewhere between the pop '60s and the sci-fi future. Its biggest disappointment, strangely enough, is its raison d'etre -- the races themselves.
– David Ansen,
Newsweek,
12 May 2008
fresh:
I love the look and the style and the spirit of this film.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
12 May 2008
rotten:
Even the target audience of 10-year-olds might get jimmy legs sitting for a punishing 135 minutes as the Wachowski brothers projectile-vomit their cotton-candy dreams all over the big screen.
– Peter Travers,
Rolling Stone,
18 Oct 2008
rotten:
Twelve-year-old boys should be wowed, but for the rest of us, it will depend on your appetite for eye candy.
– Tom Charity,
CNN.com,
18 Oct 2008
fresh:
Amid the overly earnest tone, (almost) squeaky-clean humor and familiar messages about teamwork and integrity is the rare film family that's as strong at the start as they are by the end.