Today I found Speed Racer on DVD for only $7.00, which is an excellent price - I remember the first time I tried looking for it after it was released, it retailed for almost $20.00 - a price I found surprising considering the mixed reviews it got in the theaters. Naturally, I couldn't give up that kind of opportunity, and I sat down to watch it as soon as I got back home!
Personally, I LOVE the Speed Racer film - although the motion and colors can be quite a lot for some people to handle (I understand that the movie's "epileptic" presentation was one of its biggest criticisms). Considering the intentional camp of the film, I think it's very well-acted, with an impressive emotional depth and a focus on some important themes such as loyalty, responsibility, and family relationships. While one could make an argument for a hidden level of complexity to the film that's not immediately apparent, it's actually the film's straight-forward simplicity that I love about it. Although patently unrealistic, there is almost no ambiguity about each character's role - the bad guys are thoroughly despicable (in many and varied ways), and Speed and his family are unequivocally good, honest, and wholesome.
So much of what I'm exposed to in the media these days seems to promote and rely on themes of confustion, uncertainty, and powerlessness. The Matrix is a contemporary cultural icon, and shows that decieve both their characters and their audiences (like Lost, and to a lesser extent the pantheon of CSI shows) are notoriously popular. By contrast, Speed Racer is simple, straight-forward, and unambiguous. Sometimes it's refreshing to have a hero who's just that - a hero.
Anyways, as far as Speed Racer goes, a fine piece of cinema it ain't. It's a ton of fun to watch, though, and I'd recommend it to anyone who can let loose enough to let themselves enjoy a fun and fast-paced movie, even in spite of the sensory overload you may experience!
PLUR!
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