Speed Racer - Misunderstood Masterpiece or Rotten Sack Of Crap?

[Stubblecat]

Speed Racer

The film absolutely nobody demanded, yet was made for oodles of money and released upon an indifferent public.

Have you seen it? Got an opinion even if you haven't?

Discuss.

[Alter Ego]

Saw it and really enjoyed it. Not a fan of the cartoon series, but I thought that it was a perfect summer movie. There should be a link off the homepage to my full review of Speed Racer.

Speaking of summer movies, I've seen three so far and here's how they rank:

1.) Iron Man - Grade A
2.) Speed Racer - Grade B
3.) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Grade B/B-

[Stubblecat]

I think Speed Racer might have been just a bit too much 'vanity' and not enough 'project'.

Let's face it:
- A 40-odd-year-old moderately obscure Japanese cartoon
- A monkey
- John Goodman
- A 2-hour-plus running time

There must have been someone at the studio who suggested that maybe this film wasn't going to be a blockbuster.

To be fair though, I think the flick will turn a profit once it hits DVD. And it will probably do well internationally.

[aperio]

Oh nice Marc - I didn't even realize you had another review up. I'm anxious to get your take on the latest Indy flick. I'm actually planning to see Iron Man over the weekend for no other reason than due to your review - otherwise I would have waited for the DVD.

[spiderpig]

Ironman is a definite must see. It was great. not too sure Speed Racer is worth the cash, but it will be a good rental for those of us who remember the cartoon. That you gave it a B is a good sign though.

[The Master Chief]

I loved the cartoon series when I was a kid, and I still stand by it as one of the best cartoons I ever saw.

Unfortunately, this movie is putrid.

As soon as it was announced I said to myself "Oh great, they decided to desecrate the grave of ANOTHER of my child-hood favorites"

Jeez, was I ever right this time!

[Todd]

This movie was great. It did exactly what it was supposed to. I don't understand what people were expecting in this film. It was nearly as good as Iron Man, to me.

[snookumsnort]

Originally Posted by Todd

This movie was great. It did exactly what it was supposed to. I don't understand what people were expecting in this film. It was nearly as good as Iron Man, to me.

Really? I haven't seen it myself but over the radio they were joking that it was one of America's worst disasters. It gave me the impression that the movie was really really bad. I'll probably rent it when it comes out on DVD though.

[Todd]

No no no...

Go see it digital projection. It really is a brightly coloured must!

[Chris]

This is one I'm going to have to pass on even though I liked the cartoon as a kid myself. I just don't want the last thing I remember about Speed Racer to be this movie. I hope the kids enjoy it and hopefully it will spark some interest in bringing the cartoon back (through reruns). I wouldn't mind watching a few of those classics again.

Chris