IMDb > Speed Racer (2008)
Speed Racer
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Speed Racer (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 67 | slideshow) Videos (see all 17)
Speed Racer -- Speed Racer - Sneak Peek
Speed Racer -- This is the third theatrical trailer for Speed Racer, directed by the Wachowski Brothers.
Speed Racer -- Speed Racer - Trailer #2
Speed Racer -- Speed Racer Trailer
Speed Racer -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   32,270 votes »
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Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Andy Wachowski (written by) &
Lana Wachowski (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Speed Racer on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 2008 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
Go See more »
Plot:
The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible... See more » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
8 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(523 articles)
First Trailer for Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch
 (From Collider.com. 26 July 2010, 4:59 PM, PDT)

Peter Fernandez, voice of Speed Racer: 1927-2010
 (From Comicmix. 19 July 2010, 3:29 AM, PDT)

Trailer - The 3-D Version of 'Gatchaman'
 (From Get The Big Picture. 18 July 2010, 5:14 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Pure popcorn fun for the whole family. Great job, Andy & Larry. See more (375 total) »

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Emile Hirsch ... Speed Racer

Nicholas Elia ... Young Speed

Susan Sarandon ... Mom Racer
Melissa Holroyd ... Speed's Teacher

Ariel Winter ... Young Trixie

Scott Porter ... Rex Racer

Christina Ricci ... Trixie

John Goodman ... Pops Racer

Harvey Friedman ... Harold Ledermann Announcer

Paulie Litt ... Spritle
Sadao Ueda ... Japanese Announcer
Valery Tscheplanowa ... Russian Announcer

Sami Loris ... Italian Announcer
Olivier Marlo ... French Announcer
Sean McDonagh ... Celtic Announcer
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Speed Racer: The IMAX Experience" - USA (IMAX version)
See more »
MPAA:
Rated PG for sequences of action, some violence and language.
Runtime:
135 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
South Korea:12 | Ireland:PG | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:PG | UK:PG | Germany:12 | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Malaysia:U | Venezuela:PG-13 | USA:PG (certificate #44193) | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:13 | Hong Kong:IIA | Norway:11 | Sweden:7 | Brazil:10 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/6 | Taiwan:GP (original rating) | South Korea:All (DVD rating) | New Zealand:PG | Austria:10 | South Africa:10M (theatrical rating) | South Africa:13V (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Alfonso Cuarón was once attached to direct with Johnny Depp starring.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: At the end of the fight between Cruncher's men and the others at the passage of Casa Christo 2, Speed is located at the far right of Racer X. Yet when the camera close in on Racer X's face (when he says "looks like another change of plan"), Speed is on the immediate right, and it's impossible to move that fast.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Race Announcer:All drivers to your cars, please. All drivers to your cars.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Getaway: Episode #17.17" (2008)See more »
Soundtrack:
Bewitched, Bothered and BewilderedSee more »

FAQ

Are Rex and Racer X the same person?
Do Racer X's cars have names?
Is there any extra scene after the ending credits?
See more »
126 out of 188 people found the following review useful.
Pure popcorn fun for the whole family. Great job, Andy & Larry., 10 May 2008
Author: Splinter_Spy from United States

Well, what you've got here is a case of audience/critic disagreement. Obviously, this movie will get bashed by the critics because of its cartoonish and campy mood, but that's just it: the world shown on screen by the Wachowski brothers is marvelous. The animation is perfect for the atmosphere they're trying to create. Don't go in expecting Matrix-esquire effects, because there aren't any bullet time scenes. The effects used are so fitting for this movie because they're almost cartoonish and the movie doesn't take itself too seriously.

The film, an adaptation of the long running Japanese anime, revolves around natural racing phenomenon Speed (the wonderful Emile Hirsch) and his family, which somehow includes John Goodman and Susan Sarandon (whoever pulled off this casting deserves some kind of award). Oh yeah, and the casting directors managed to get Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci as well. What really stood out in this area is that everyone involved really understood the characters and the world that Speed Racer is supposed to display. It's not supposed to be overly serious, nor is it supposed to be that realistic either. With the warm performances of Hirsch, Goodman, and Ricci, you get transported into another world (isn't that the point of movies anyway?). Matthew Fox is also great as the mysterious Racer X, whose role is sort of misconstrued by the previews. He showed a different side that I didn't think he could on 'Lost'.

The visual effects, as I've said before, aren't going to be Matrix-esquire, but there are a few "whoa" factor sequences that had my jaw dropping. I also need to warn you that, if you can't take fast camera movements or rapid shots, be careful. It's not as bad as Cloverfield or Blair Witch (because the quickness only occurs in the race sequences), but I'd still try to grab a seat in the middle or back of the theater. The film is visually stunning outside of the races themselves as well. The buildings, the cities, the homes, the cars themselves...all beautiful.

The Wachowski brothers get an A+ for keeping the movie in the spirit of the show as much as they could (they really did a great job), however the film has a major flaw: a runtime of just under 2 and a half hours. That's a BIG no no for a movie that is obviously marketed towards kids, unless it has the names "Star Wars" or "Harry Potter" on it. The film also has a sensual scene or two featuring Ricci and Hirsch, not to mention occasional language.

My advice: don't listen to the critics, see this movie for the fact that it's pure entertainment for the audience, and it will take you away to a visually stunning world for a couple hours. Definitely an enjoyable movie for the entire family.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Speed Racer (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A movie ahead of it's time... lol phenom991
Did anyone actually predict the ending? MrsRivers
setting jokecocain (jookycola) on the ignore-list? TaurusT
Hrrmm... JDSpike
RUINED film_zeitgiest
Kenneth Branagh As Mr. Royalton filmfan97
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