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Title: Speed Racer (2008)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Emile Hirsch | ... | Speed | |
| Nicholas Elia | ... | Young Speed Racer | |
| Susan Sarandon | ... | Mom | |
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Melissa Holroyd | ... | Speed's Teacher |
| Ariel Winter | ... | Young Trixie | |
| Scott Porter | ... | Rex Racer | |
|
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Giancarlo Ganziano | ... | Everyman Announcer (as Gian Ganziano) |
| Peter Fernandez | ... | Local Announcer | |
| Harvey Friedman | ... | Harold Ledermann Announcer | |
| Sadao Ueda | ... | Japanese Announcer | |
| Valery Tscheplanowa | ... | Russian Announcer | |
|
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Sami Loris | ... | Italian Announcer |
|
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Olivier Marlo | ... | French Announcer |
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Sean McDonagh | ... | Celtic Announcer |
| Kick Gurry | ... | Sparky | |
The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer. Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops and Mom. Pops designed Speed's car, the Mach 5. The owner of Royalton Industries makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X, seeking to rescue his family's business and the racing sport itself. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
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.
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