Speed Racer

Name: Speed Racer
Genre: Action, Sport, Family
Released: May 9, 2008
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 37
Cast: Emile Hirsch

2008

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 37 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 445 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 445 Ratings

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SPEED RACER

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: May 9, 2008

Starring: Emile Hirsch

Summary: Hurtling down the track, careening around, over, and through the competition, Speed Racer is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive, and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized--the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacyHurtling down the track, careening around, over, and through the competition, Speed Racer is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive, and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized--the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer, the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret--some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless tycoons who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that Speed never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie, Speed teams with his one-time rival--the mysterious Racer X--to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as the Crucible. Yet, the ultimate test of Speed Racer's true racing grit will be at the pinnacle event of the World Racing League, the Grand Prix. But standing between Speed and the checkered flag are the world's best--and most cutthroat--competitors, fueled by a million-dollar bounty from Royalton to the driver who takes Speed out once and for all. (Warner Bros. Pictures)… Expand

Director: Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski

Genre(s): Action, Sport, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 135 min

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Awards & Rankings

10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2008
93	#93 Most Shared Movie of 2008

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Premiere - Glenn Kenny

This is not a film occurring in an alternate or imaginary reality; rather, it is a film of NO reality, that is, a picture that changes the rules of its universe strictly according to its creators' whims. Read full review

Time - Richard Corliss

Speed Racer announces the arrival of the virtual movie. If you watch the film overwhelmed by the assault of seductive visual information and wonder what you're seeing, here's the happy answer: the future of movies. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Kirk Honeycutt

Unlike a Pixar cartoon that embraces as wide an audience as possible, Speed Racer proudly denies entry into its ultra-bright world to all but gamers, fanboys and anime enthusiasts. Story and character are tossed aside to focus obsessively on PG-rated action and milk-guzzling heroes. Read full review

Baltimore Sun - Michael Sragow

It's a family film done as a trip film. It is a trip, but it's a bad trip. Read full review

Charlotte Observer - Lawrence Toppman

Speed Racer is chaotic as a six-ring circus, gaudy as a transvestites convention and soullessly cute as a robot puppy. Read full review

Washington Post - Ann Hornaday

Chances are, after they've passed the two-hour mark, viewers will share the same collective, if unspoken, wish: Go, Speed Racer. Go. Read full review

Salon - Stephanie Zacharek

This isn't a picture filled with wonder and a sense of fun; it's so jaded and crass that I almost wonder if it's a highly unscientific experiment designed to gauge how little audiences will settle for these days. Manic and multicolored, Speed Racer is an excess of nothingness. Read full review

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User Reviews

PaulR.

May 13, 2008

Excellent representation of TV Show. Great effects. Story kept you interested. Dying to see it again. First movie in years I will pay to see again. Whoever rates this movie poorly either never watched the TV show or is too "grown-up" to see movies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AndrewR.

Jul 28, 2008

I don't understand why all these mega critics where so appalled by the effects, because they were definently in the commercials leading up to the movie release so if they disliked them there they should not have went at all. The plot has been attacked over and over, because it is a I don't understand why all these mega critics where so appalled by the effects, because they were definently in the commercials leading up to the movie release so if they disliked them there they should not have went at all. The plot has been attacked over and over, because it is a simple plot with an inspiring message. Nothing to complicated so far. It was a kids movie and i knew this when i entered the theater and i was pleased to the extent of loving this movie more than The Dark Night. The effects were tremendous and they had my eyes bleeding......in total admiration...it was something new and fresh and something i have not seen before and that's why i love it. The makers of this film took a risk in this extravagant style and it was all worth it. This has been the only movie to truly wow me this summer, and i am not an avid reader of speed racer or any manga. I have not even seen the cartoon before, but what i have seen thus far is something i loved to watch. If some high paid movie critics didn't love it. No problem for me its not my fault they are to selfrightous to sit down and enjoy a great movie with a simple inspiring plot married to the greates visuals i have seen yet....yes.....even better than The Dark Knight.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DaveN

Aug 8, 2009

It's more than a year after this movie was released. Few even knew there was a Speed Racer movie it seems, and even fewer cared to see it. I was one of those people and oh boy, am I ever sorry. A trailer means NOTHING for this type of movie. While one their own, certain scenes might It's more than a year after this movie was released. Few even knew there was a Speed Racer movie it seems, and even fewer cared to see it. I was one of those people and oh boy, am I ever sorry. A trailer means NOTHING for this type of movie. While one their own, certain scenes might appear unwatchable and the dialogue too sappy for most, as a whole this movie has escalated to the top of my list of favorite movies in the past couple years. I can't get it out of my head. The shmaltz, the eye-ravaging colours, the exhilarating soundtrack, the heart pounding races, and the comic genius --- When you become obsessed with everything related to a movie, you know it was something special. If you're gut tells you to avoid this movie, it's probably just gas.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful

DennyZ

May 12, 2008

I'm very, very picky about movies, but I had an absolute blast at "Speed Racer" and I'm not ashamed to say so. The movie never snickers, condescends, or mocks its story or characters. I loved the over the top visual style. The story had a lot of heart as well, it brought a tear to I'm very, very picky about movies, but I had an absolute blast at "Speed Racer" and I'm not ashamed to say so. The movie never snickers, condescends, or mocks its story or characters. I loved the over the top visual style. The story had a lot of heart as well, it brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion, to my great and pleasant surprise. The critics missed the mark on this one, and I'm glad to see so many MC users give the film the praise I think it richly deserves. Absolutely top notch and dead spot-on casting all the way around as well. I found it hard to resist a movie made with so much obvious love, affection, and visual creativity. "Speed Racer" is a misunderstood minor masterpiece, in my ever so humble opinion.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ashleydb

Jan 2, 2013

This Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law gave me a $35 gift card to Target. To date, I've spent $2.75 of it. Speed Racer on Blu-Ray at clearance price. Honestly, I saw the previews several years back and thought it looked, for lack of a better word, stupid. That's why I neverThis Christmas, my brother and sister-in-law gave me a $35 gift card to Target. To date, I've spent $2.75 of it. Speed Racer on Blu-Ray at clearance price. Honestly, I saw the previews several years back and thought it looked, for lack of a better word, stupid. That's why I never bothered to see it. But after having bought it at bargain basement price and watching it, I am pleasantly surprised. My review score is 8 out of 10 simply because of length. I agree with reviewers who claim it is too long. It is. But that's the only flaw I could spot. I sit back and let myself enjoy this film for all it set out to be. From the opening sequence of brilliantly blending Speed's present with older brother Rex's past to the psychedelic special effects and standout color scheme that added to the quirkiness and hilarity of the film to the heart of the story raising family and virtues above greed and power, I loved this film. I often do not understand comparing new to old, revamp to original, which is usually where a lot of negativity creeps into reviews for films like this one. Taking the film as a standalone, it is original and full of heart, and if one allows oneself the pleasure, they can have a lot of fun watching. I thought the cast was picked well, and all played they're roles perfectly. Do yourself a favor, and go rent or buy this film for your own viewing enjoyment, or sit and watch it with the whole family. It's a crowd-pleaser for any age.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Stu

May 10, 2008

This is a true example of critics falling all over themselves to sneer at a film that they consider below their lofty perch. The film is nothing but enjoyable - pure saccharine, full of riotous colors and deliberately cardboard performances that hit the right notes. Maybe a little too long, This is a true example of critics falling all over themselves to sneer at a film that they consider below their lofty perch. The film is nothing but enjoyable - pure saccharine, full of riotous colors and deliberately cardboard performances that hit the right notes. Maybe a little too long, but the kid in you (and with you) won't care...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AlJ.

May 13, 2008

This is absolutely disgusting. A complete waste of time.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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