Some things I never dreamed would ever happen:

*An intact, mummified dinosaur was found

*a car engine that works on compressed air

*a Speed Racer movie backed by Oscar Award winning filmmakers

What the hell?!

Speed Racer, (originally Mach GoGoGo in Japan) follows the adventures of a young race car driver (Speed Racer) battling the mafia with his family built experimental race car, the “Mach 5.” With the exception of another mysterious driver (Racer X) who turns out to be Speed’s older, supposedly deceased brother, Rex Racer – The story really doesn’t get much deeper than that and it really doesn’t need to. It’s your standard “normal guy who has a unique skill and a toy that all kids would think is cool (and want) – Versus a bunch of bad guys who also want it and would hurt him and his friends in any way to get it! Good enough for the 60s, good enough for now.

Some might say that all the Wachowski Brothers did is package up all the cooler details and used all the technology available today to tell this kooky story which also includes an evil gajillionaire tycoon to the Racer family pet chimpanzee (Chim Chim) that wears human clothes and mimics the little brother (Spritle).

But you know what? I don’t give a crap about how cheesy it is! I didn’t when I was kid and I sure as hell don’t now! As far as I’m concerned, the Wachowski’s drove Speed Racer right into victory lane adding a real layer of depth that while present in the cartoon is accentuated 10-fold by the human cast. There is lots of loss in this film.  Yet in the end, of course…. redemption absolute.        

Need I bother praising how good the film looks? I think not. Just know that if you’re into almost blindingly vivid color, you’re in for a real treat. I decided to sit in the very back of the theater and thank goodness I did!

All this writing and I didn’t even talk about the Mach 5 and it’s track brother, the Mach 6. Well… what can you say about a car that exhibits 5,000 horse power?

Too late, you just missed it. ;)  [rd] - 5.17.2008