I don't know why so many people bag on this movie. To me it was one of the best films released this year as it did what so many live-action cartoon adaptions failed to do and it was to literally be a faithful yet fun adaption of a retro cartoon series. I have always defended this movie from day one on the premiere (a lot of you guys whom I've had drinks with at Dumm Comics and fellow coworkers at Namco can attest to that!).
First of all this is what I loved about the movie, was the cast. Emile Hirsche, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Surandon and all the rest fit their roles like a glove! Everyone acted and looked the part! This movie sets the gold standard of what to do when casting parts for live action adaptations of animated characters. Emile Hirsche as Speed even does "Oooohhhs" that is so prominent in the cartoons yet it fits in the movie.
Secondly in order for all the outrageous things to happen in the movie they establish that this is a cartoon universe from the beginning with its primary colors, lawbreaking physics and outlandish characters. It makes me smile when I get to see viking mongol racers that get paid in furs!
Thirdly was the score, lovingly composed by Michael Giacchino, was not only faithful to the original tv score, but they manage to expand on it and make the movie not just feel like a ripoff of the tv series it's based on. This is not your fathers cartoon series.
Lastly the Wachowskis did something that no other film maker was able to do in a live-action cartoon adaption and that was to make the sidekick characters unannoying! Spridle and Chim-Chim were actually funny in this movie folks!
It makes me wonder what people hate about this flick so much, the pacing I felt was just right. It certainly wasn't trying to be realistic nor was it trying to be angsty like so many other cartoon adaptions. I love movies like the Dark Knight too, but I want some lightheartedness on the side with a sense of sweet humor. I remember one critic even bagged the movie for being overly optimistic! Hello has anyone seen the cartoon before? What's wrong with this movie if it wants to stick out from the crowd, we don't see enough cool family films where the family pulls through together to face adversity. What's wrong with a little optimism once in awhile too? We need it especially in these harsh republican times! To me this movie wouldn't have been any better if this were in the hands of any other director. We already have many other realistic racing films, why can't we just sit back once in awhile and enjoy some nostalgic eye candy.
As for anyone not familiar with the series I saw this in a theater with many preteens who had never seen the show and they enjoyed it immensly. I shed a tear when they played the closing credit music from the Speed Racer tv series w/ the chanting "Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer GOOOOOO!!!!"
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Note to get a taste of what the movie is like, check this out: