Captain_Spanky
Member
Brilliant movie. So heart-warming and exciting.
LTTPTSHB: Speed Racer - The Film
- Thread starter The Elite
- Start date
- Status
sooperkool
Member
I was big Speed Racer fan as a kid back in the day and I love this movie. Perfectly cast too...
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
I loved it, top to bottom.
I think a lot of people refused to conceive that it's not an ironic tongue-in-cheek faux-anime for adults. What I mean is, it's not making mean fun of itself for being like a cartoon, so that 20-somethings who like, watch old terrible anime on Adult Swim to sneer at how awful it is can also laugh along with Speed Racer.
Instead the movie is absolutely "straight". This is because it /isn't/ a film for edgy 20 year olds. Speed Racer is an honest to god family film. It is made so that 8 year olds can laugh at it and get the plot, and adults can appreciate it as well for its avant gard production and its authentic and actually very deep emotional content.
The movie is about family, and ironically, beneath its day-glo exterior and plastic world, it is deeper and more honest about family dynamics than the majority of weepy feel-good "adult" films that are manufactured purely to get their actors academy awards for being the best weepy feel-good lead of the year.
Spoilered for those who haven't seen it because they were told it's a shit movie.
I dunno; for me the film is one of those that is deeply misunderstood a the time of its release but will become a hardened cult classic a decade later.
I think a lot of people refused to conceive that it's not an ironic tongue-in-cheek faux-anime for adults. What I mean is, it's not making mean fun of itself for being like a cartoon, so that 20-somethings who like, watch old terrible anime on Adult Swim to sneer at how awful it is can also laugh along with Speed Racer.
Instead the movie is absolutely "straight". This is because it /isn't/ a film for edgy 20 year olds. Speed Racer is an honest to god family film. It is made so that 8 year olds can laugh at it and get the plot, and adults can appreciate it as well for its avant gard production and its authentic and actually very deep emotional content.
The movie is about family, and ironically, beneath its day-glo exterior and plastic world, it is deeper and more honest about family dynamics than the majority of weepy feel-good "adult" films that are manufactured purely to get their actors academy awards for being the best weepy feel-good lead of the year.
Spoilered for those who haven't seen it because they were told it's a shit movie.
I also adored the double twist of Racer X, which was honest to god a creative plot twist. EVERYONE knows Racer X is secretly Speed's brother. Even those who never heard of Speed Racer. It's obvious in the premise and the characters are genre-savvy, discussing it in the film. Then Racer X turns out not to be. Then it turns out he actually is, but his motivation for keeping his secret justifies the gimmick of the double twist. If you can get into the characters of the film, it is very emotional. Even well-acted. Rex Racer sadly walks away from his happy family in their moment of glory because he will forever be ashamed of what he did, and sticks to his decision.
I dunno; for me the film is one of those that is deeply misunderstood a the time of its release but will become a hardened cult classic a decade later.
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
DoctorWho said:
Hell, the movie is literally pennance for allowing themselves to be lured in by huge money for the Matrix sequels. It's basically one of the thematic messages of the film.
Not like it's a complex or subtle metaphor, but:
Racer family = Wachowski Bros
Royalton = Big Money hollywood
Royalton's offer = Selling your soul to use your talent purely to make as much money as you can.
Speed's refusal = The Wachowskis wishing that they would have turned down making quick and dirty Matrix sequels.
The rally betrayal and subsequent secret invite to the championship = someone giving the Wachowskis a lot of money to make a long-shot comeback. (This very movie.)
The family's unlikely triumph and exposing Royalton to the world: the hope that people would get the message in the film.
Some critics sneered at the "hypocrisy" of the movie's anti-corporate message in the face of its glittering technology and big budget, but that was really the point. It bites the hand that feeds it.
I'm really happy that I was one of the few to see it in the theaters. As good as I'm sure it looks on Blu-Ray at home, unless you have a ridiculous home theater, you can't capture the same magic as it had on the big screen. The sights and the sounds were so great.
Pretty much the only note that I would change is the warning before the kiss. Everything before and after that moment did a nice job balancing between being appropriate for kids while also allowing adults to enjoy it, but that warning just swung the meter too far into the kids territory. But it's one minor misstep.
I have to agree that I think a lot of the negative reaction was due to people expecting and being disappointed that it wasn't some ironic hipster crap that just made fun of the old cartoon. I think a lot of people are losing the ability to approach something like this sincerely. They wanted something like The Brady Bunch Movie and instead they got a movie that played it all straight.
Pretty much the only note that I would change is the warning before the kiss. Everything before and after that moment did a nice job balancing between being appropriate for kids while also allowing adults to enjoy it, but that warning just swung the meter too far into the kids territory. But it's one minor misstep.
I have to agree that I think a lot of the negative reaction was due to people expecting and being disappointed that it wasn't some ironic hipster crap that just made fun of the old cartoon. I think a lot of people are losing the ability to approach something like this sincerely. They wanted something like The Brady Bunch Movie and instead they got a movie that played it all straight.
brandonh83
Banned
I feel like going on a Book of Eli style pilgrimage to introduce this movie to the ignorant and lost souls who skipped it because they didn't like the Matrix sequels or because critics told them not to watch it. Running into Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis would be an added bonus.
This movie should be required homework for anyone hoping to make a movie of a children's franchise. I, like many people, dismissed it because of the lukewarm reception and the fact that I didn't watch Speed Racer as a kid (a little before my time). The movie was just good fun and had a really nice message of family. I didn't exactly love Spritle and Chim Chim, but they were really my only complaint.
Just re-watched because of this thread. I saw it twice opening weekend; all of my friends and I loved it. This is the first time I've caught it since the theaters, and despite the fact that it is nothing on my 22" monitor compared to what it was 2 years ago at the movies, I was glad to see that it is still in my top 5. Not really much else to say that hasn't already been.
I love the imagery in this movie, the colors, and just the whole look of the film is eyecandy.
But I couldn't even get through half of this movie before shutting it off...and I have never, ever, EVER done that before. I always ridicule people who walk out in films, or don't watch it all the way through or whatever...but this was too much. The moments inbetween racing were so mind bogglingly boring, and the only other time I've been bored at the movies was when I was watching Attack of the Clones/Matrix Reloaded for the second time (doesn't really play well the second time through).
I don't know why this film did that to me. I generally love movies like this, even if they're just visual treats and low on the plot. But man oh man do I dislike this movie.
But I couldn't even get through half of this movie before shutting it off...and I have never, ever, EVER done that before. I always ridicule people who walk out in films, or don't watch it all the way through or whatever...but this was too much. The moments inbetween racing were so mind bogglingly boring, and the only other time I've been bored at the movies was when I was watching Attack of the Clones/Matrix Reloaded for the second time (doesn't really play well the second time through).
I don't know why this film did that to me. I generally love movies like this, even if they're just visual treats and low on the plot. But man oh man do I dislike this movie.
WyndhamPrice
Member
So glad I caught this in theaters when it was out. When I'm super rich I'm going to rent out theaters and screen once a week or something.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
Blader5489 said:
That's exactly what it IS, though; putting aside his points about what he thinks people expected, the movie really is the sort of movie that the whole family should be able to enjoy. It's got amazing sights, a positive message, realistic family dynamics, and is just so damn FUN. Plus, it is amazingly well-made in terms of the way that it plays with space and time, and it has some really well-written moments (like Pops' speech to Speed before he leaves the house prior to the last race).
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Kaijima said:
Agree completely. I don't think anyone was expecting a film that was both silly and sincere at the same time. You really get into kid-mode when you are enjoying it.
Oh, and to the person who hated the kiss-warning-- I loved that, personally.
My only complaint would be that the first visit to Royalton drags quite a bit. back to the racetrack, Speed! It might have been nice if they'd broken that up with a short racing bit, maybe an in-company expo.
GuitarAtomik
Member
Honestly one of my favorite movies of all time. I even thought the kid and the monkey were genuinely funny. It really is a great a family film (despite being pretty long). So glad I saw it in theaters.
I REALLY REALLY wish they could go back in time and do it in 3D. The end of the last race would have given me seizures of joy.
I REALLY REALLY wish they could go back in time and do it in 3D. The end of the last race would have given me seizures of joy.
The Take Out Bandit
Member
sprsk said:
Not to mention it would have made for an amazing HD console licensed game!
The PS2/Wii versions were fun, but the visual splendor of the movie was missing. Also the awesome score.
blindrocket
Member
Definitely in my list of best films. I love it.
It's nice to see that GAF has come around on it, because I seem to recall when it first released there was a lot of hate around here for it.
Wachowski's haven't done wrong yet, in my opinion.
Interestingly, I watched this yesterday evening with my family. My two year old son was in love with the cars and action (though he had to go to bed before it was over) and my six year old daughter stayed glued to it until the end. She also loved it.
It's only ten dollars for the Blu-ray via Amazon.com.
It's nice to see that GAF has come around on it, because I seem to recall when it first released there was a lot of hate around here for it.
Wachowski's haven't done wrong yet, in my opinion.
Interestingly, I watched this yesterday evening with my family. My two year old son was in love with the cars and action (though he had to go to bed before it was over) and my six year old daughter stayed glued to it until the end. She also loved it.
It's only ten dollars for the Blu-ray via Amazon.com.
Darth Tigris
Member
GDGF said:
I've been preaching that ever since I saw it on an IMAX screen. It is arguably the finest piece of cinema I have ever seen. No matter what faults the rest of the movie may have, THAT made it worth it in every single way. I literally wanted to stand up and cheer and I'm not one those kinds of people (dunno if I've ever even clapped after a movie).
Darth Tigris
Member
sprsk said:
This! THIS!! THIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
blindrocket said:
We outlasted the haters. They're still around.
GuitarAtomik
Member
mac said:
The Take Out Bandit said:The PS2/Wii versions were fun, but the visual splendor of the movie was missing. Also the awesome score.
Unfortunately, we had to finish the game about 3 months before the film was finished. We had no access or rights to the film music, though I thought Winifred Philips did a great job on the soundtrack for the game. We also didn't really know how the final treatment of the film was going to end up looking before we had to finish, even though we worked with the Brothers and Jon Gaeta quite closely.
GuitarAtomik
Member
Mario said:
After seeing the movie, I would have bought the PS2 version (I didn't have a Wii at the time) but alas, it wasn't day and date and it eventually fell off my radar. Why did it take so long to come out on PS2?
I remember watching gameplay and thinking it looked surprisingly fun
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
mac said:
But the movie's palpable and realistic emotion is what makes it work. The realistic family dynamics are the movie's bread and butter; the visuals and such are just icing on a delicious cake. That scene is awesome because it's the first time that we get a real glimpse into the older Speed's mind, and we see him try to piece together the moments that, for him, made the moment of his victory come to fruition. Honestly, I don't think that there was anything "crappy, glaring, clumsy, ham-fisted" or fake about the emotional content of the film; I thought that it was all very well-done.
- Status