A Need for Speed

Last Friday, I took the boys to Speed Racer for a 'Boys Night Out' (which from Carma's perspective translates to "Guilt-free Mani-Pedi", to which I have absolutely no objection). After seeing Iron Man the previous evening (which I liked a lot), I was fully prepared for a movie let-down. Granted, I didn't have high expectations walking in, but those expectations were easily exceeded and then some.

I knew both my boys would like it, but they were blown away. There was enough of a storyline to lure in adults as well, but this really is a film for kids. I'm apparently enough of a kid at heart to have enjoyed it thoroughly.

If you're not a fan of the cartoon (and I wasn't) Speed Racer is about a young racing protege named (surprise) Speed Racer. Pops Racer is a mechanic who fixes/builds cars and they've always raced Independent, i.e. without the Evil Corporate Sponsorships. Admittedly the plot, dialog, and characters aren't all that deep- but here's the thing. They're not supposed to be. The movie is essentially a live-action cartoon. Can you imagine someone critiquing Scooby Doo (the cartoon or the movie) expecting Oscar-worthiness? Well, don't look for it here, either. But what is there is done very well, with good character performances, some slap-stick kid-friendly humor, and hyper-surreal racing. It's supposed to be a bit over-the-top, defy physics, and be extremely colorful.

The races are what really make this movie. I guess there's just something in the Y chromosome that loves horsepower and break-necking speeds. These races captured on film and displayed on the big screen are the races that occur in the mind's eye of all boys 3-12 (and beyond?) while playing with Hot Wheels cars. They are the epitome of hair-raising, death-defying, physics-destroying adventures that only occur between a boy (and possibly few fortunate girls) and his favorite car. Any man that denies this has forgotten his childhood.

I humbly submit here an excellent cartoon and review of the movie by Joe Dunn of "Joe Loves Crappy Movies." Check it out, and come back, I'll wait.



As supported by Speed Racer's box office returns last weekend, Joe is spot on, the movie is a bit of a tough sell. People are expecting "Cody Banks 4" or "Shark Boy and Lava Girl", but it is so much better than that. This is the kid-friendly movie elevated to an art form, but not enough people are going to see it, at least until it's out on DVD- where the experience will be about a tenth of what it is on the big screen.

So, if you have young boys, I heartily encourage you to take them to see it on the big screen. It will be an experience that they won't soon forget. You may not either. (But if you get easily motion sick, or are epileptic- stay far, far away.) Just be forewarned, your kids will probably want you to drive a bit more recklessly on your way home.