Becky and I took our kids to see the much anticipated Speed Racer at the AMC theaters in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Friday. The MSN website at Speed Racer describes the movie as follows:
“The Matrix masterminds Andy and Larry Wachowski usher anime icon Tatsuo Yoshida’s classic 1960s-era hit into the new millennium with this family-friendly story of a young racecar driver who takes on the mysterious Racer X in a custom-made, gadget-loaded speed machine named the Mach 5. Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is the kind of driver that every wheelman wishes he could be: a born winner whose unbeatable combination of aggression, instinct, and fearlessness always finds him crossing the checkered flag with a comfortable lead. In Speed Racer’s mind, the only driver who could present him with any real challenge is his late brother — the legendary Rex Racer.”
The Review
Speed Racer is a long, mind blowing, extremely colorful movie that is energy overload to the max. Becky described it as “strange”, our kids thought it was great and as “The Cool Car Guy” I really liked this flick, but I also grew up on the Speed Racer cartoon everyday after school.
However, I don’t think that it was kid friendly enough by any stretch. I’m not sure what the makers of Speed Racer were thinking, other than that they have probably been playing Grand Theft Auto for too long on their X boxes and haven’t been away from creating The Matrix long enough. It’s really not a good idea to have a PG movie designed for parents to take their kids to and then have one of the main characters in the movie, who is under 10 years of age, give a grown-up the finger. I have had to warn every parent I spoke with this Weekend who asked me about this movie, that the little kid in the movie gives someone the finger. Do you think they are saying, “Great, let’s take the kids.”? And then Becky follows up with, and they say “ass” a bunch of times.
Yes, that happens in this film and they cuss on several occasions as well, which I never remember happening in the original Speed Racer cartoon. Probably because it would never happen. Someone might want to tell the Wachowski brothers that they should actually design a kids film for kids instead of themselves. Our kids were ticked when the little guy flipped off the evil owner of Royalton racing and our son Corban immediately said, “Dad, did you see that? That’s really bad”.
Like The Matrix, this movie is not based on anything that would be close to reality. If you go in thinking you’re going to see anything that could ever happen you will be thoroughly disappointed. Think Spongebob Squarepants or Spy Kids or Bugs Bunny and you will enjoy Speed Racer. The characters are fun, the energy is incredible and we all liked it much like a ride on a roller coaster at Disneyland. Just be aware of the language issue if you take your kids, but beyond that we all liked the flick. It’s a thrill ride for sure.
John – *** Worth The Trip
Becky – ** Rental
The Kids Review
Corban – **** Don’t Miss It
Conroy – **** Don’t Miss It
Bianca – *** Worth The Trip Phone Booth dvd S1m0ne buy _________________________________________________________________________ 
Auto Consultant – John Boyd: The Cool Car Guy
John is an auto consultant with JFR & Associates in Denver, Colorado. He can help you save time and money on any make or model, new or used, lease or purchase – nationwide! Call or email John about your next vehicle! jboyd@coolcarguy.com