After the Wachowki’s finished their original The Matrix” trilogy they set their sites on a whole different world to bring the animated series Speed Racer to life in 2008. The film featured a great cast including Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox. Now the effects heavy feature is racing home once again on 4K for the first time.

 

Speed Racer follows Speed Racer who was born to race cars. But when Speed turns down a lucrative offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret--some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls! The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie, Speed teams with his one-time rival--the mysterious Racer X--to win the race that took his brother, Rex Racer's, life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.

 

This is one of those films that I stand behind it being way before its time. The idea and swings taken to bring this property to life while keeping its animated tone is pure genius. There are plenty of over-the-top silly elements but fall in line with the source material. It is clearly not trying to bring the film into the real world and just use live action to make the cartoon come to life and it works. It’s not a film for everyone nor is it trying to be and I applaud it for that all the more.

 

The cast are all perfect representations of the source series, and they seem to be having a great time. The film is a visual treat that smashes your senses with the vibrant colors, cartoon infusion and beautiful scenery. The story is silly most of the time, much like the animated series, but it works in this world and made all