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

Photos (see all 67 | slideshow) Videos (see all 22)
Speed Racer (2008) -- Speed Racer - Sneak Peek
Speed Racer (2008) -- MyMovies.Net - Clip - Grand Prix (WMV)
Speed Racer (2008) -- This is the third theatrical trailer for Speed Racer, directed by the Wachowski Brothers.
Speed Racer (2008) -- Speed Racer - Trailer #2

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   29,593 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 64% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Andy Wachowski (written by) &
Larry Wachowski (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Speed Racer on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Go more
Plot:
The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible... more | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(367 articles)
Wachowski Brothers Update
 (From Collider.com. 21 November 2009, 2:27 PM, PST)

Preview: Ninja Assassin
 (From HeyUGuys. 20 November 2009, 4:01 PM, PST)

User Comments:
First Place Winner more (365 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
Gian Ganziano ... Everyman Announcer

Peter Fernandez ... Local Announcer

Harvey Friedman ... Harold Ledermann Announcer
Sadao Ueda ... Japanese Announcer
Valery Tscheplanowa ... Russian Announcer

Sami Loris ... Italian Announcer
Olivier Marlo ... French Announcer
Sean McDonagh ... Celtic Announcer

Kick Gurry ... Sparky
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Race Chasers (USA) (fake working title)
Speed Racer (Germany)
Speed Racer: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for sequences of action, some violence and language.
Runtime:
135 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Zac Efron was originally casted as Speed Racer, but was soon replaced with Emile Hirsch. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The first time you see Speed Racer in a race (the opening 5 minutes) the visor on his helmet disappears and reappears. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Race Announcer: All drivers to your cars, please. All drivers to your cars.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Free Bird more

FAQ

Are Rex and Racer X the same person?
Why does Pops say "we don't have a car" for the Grand Prix when they have the Mach 5?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
215 out of 321 people found the following comment useful.
First Place Winner, 4 May 2008
9/10
Author: ingloriousbasterds from United States

I must admit that I know, or knew rather, very little about the story or history of Speed Racer- and his TV series - and maybe that is why I enjoyed this movie so much. Although, this is still a different type of situation where one who was a big fan of the shows might be seriously critical of every little detail of the turned movie. I don't believe anyone who considers themselves truly knowledgeable about Tatsuo Yoshida's work can say that this was not represented well on the big screen. I'm now intrigued to go back and check out some episodes of Speed Racer.

That aside, as far as it being a movie and a work of art, I would give this movie high marks in both categories. For it being a movie, it was nice to see something so different as far as the approach to making it go. Also, having such an incredible cast makes it all the more intriguing. I don't see anyone else having portrayed any of these characters any better than the cast that was hired to do so.

On an artistic level, it is extremely hard to think of any other movie that comes close to being in the same league. I did not see The Matrix, but I would say that anyone who liked Sin City for its cinematography and graphic elements, would love Speed Racer. The use of bright photography that's added behind a green screen makes for a far more dramatic effect.

Take the artistic elements of this movie, and put it together with the amazing cast (both looks and talent) and throw it together with a very different but coherent plot, and you've got yourself an extremely enjoyable movie that is definitely worth seeing. And seeing at the theater no less! My hats off to The Wachowski Brothers, and the rest of the cast and crew for putting together something different for a change.

GO...

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Speed Racer (2008)
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Favorite Scene (Possible Spoilers) lalalei2001
Wow, Wow, Wow DaoDongHwan
Michael Giacchino's music Sam-urai
Double Feature with DICK TRACY Acceler8
Do you really think, that there never will be a sequel? TaurusT
If they'd taken out the slapstick and child humor? blackmage994
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