I enjoyed Speed Racer when I was a kid. I haven't seen it in 25 years or so and I'd probably be horrified now by what my youthful tastes were back then, but I remember liking the race scenes and what the car could do. I remember wanting my first car to be one that would have buzzsaws come out of the front and a big lever that would come down underneath the car that would make it jump over other cars. That last feature doesn't seem like it would work to me, now that I think about it as an adult.
Anyway, the live-action version with Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, and Matthew Fox opens this Friday. And the early buzz is that it's not going to do as well as they were hoping it would.
Industry analysts say it might do OK, but that Iron Man just might be the #1 film for the second week in a row (oh, wouldn't it be great to go back to a time when the public didn't know or care about the box office winners and losers?). Personally, I think the film looks hideous and headache-inducing, so overdone and relentless. What is it about animation done with computers that makes me hate it so much? Give me a cartoon or real-life action. This is between stuff just annoys me.
I'm also a little antsy about big-screen adaptations of TV shows. And that antsy-ness (?) increases by 50% when it's a live-action adaptation of a cartoon.
Seven greatest hand cannons in TV history
TV Squad previews NBC's new shows (part 1)
TV 101: How ESPN controls the world and what the other networks can learn from it
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-07-2008 @ 6:14PM
mayorjimmy said...
Dude, you and all your movie critic buddies need to learn to stop taking TV/movies so fraking seriously. Try and enjoy the movie for what it is. You try and enjoy a little of the movie and you might end up having fun. I realize that you guys are all hardwired to find fault in everything just so you have something to write about, but try and fight your programming.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:15PM
Jason said...
Nope. I just dont have any interest in the movie what so ever. Never cared for the cartoon growing up, so I have no sentimental value to go see it.
Of course it will eventually go into the netflix queue, since I will sit and watch almost anything from the comfort of my home.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:32PM
jimxfitz said...
NO
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:35PM
Chip Douglas said...
It is on my Netflix queue.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:37PM
Mike said...
Nope. Crap cartoon to begin with. The "brothers" have lost their way. Not sure I'll watch it when the DVD comes out.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:37PM
Elf said...
If it had been made by practically anyone other than the Wachowskis I'd probably pass, as I wasn't a particular fan of the show when I was a kid oh those many decades ago. (Hmmm, "Tim Burton's Speed Racer..." My head hurts just trying to imagine what Danny Elfman could do with the theme song...)
However, this film just looks like it needs to be seen on a big screen. I doubt it would seem as impressive at home on a 51" widescreen projection TV, and I have no plans on upgrading that puppy or buying a blu-ray any time soon. And while the presence of Christina Ricci and Susan Sarandon doesn't automaticlaly imply that the script is any good, as both have had some stinkers in the past, I just get the sense that the film could not possibly suck from beginning to end. From a quality perspective I doubt it will come anywhere near Iron Man in the comic/cartoon adaptation category, but I'm pretty sure I won't walk out wishing I hadn't paid for my discount matinee ticket either.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 6:45PM
nickmagoo said...
i was a big speed racer fan growing up, though even back then i knew it was pretty low quality animation and idiotic storie lines...but the awesome theme song would suck me in every time - plus those cars looked super rad. i might see the movie, but i'm going in with very low expectations...at least with the w brothers i know it'll look good...
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 7:34PM
lucyfan62 said...
I saw it Sunday and while it's visually (over)stimulating, I just didn't dig the live actors against the CGI-cartoony landscapes. Nothing looks real, everything is insanely colored, and you've got some great actors playing it straight and dramatic which didn't fit with the tone of the film. Only Christina Ricci seemed to get that she was playing a cartoon character. Fans of the show may enjoy it, kids hopped up on soda and candy will have a blast, but if everyone else is like me - a non-fan - it will just be an emotionless, movie-going experience. I wanted to like it and be blown away, but even with all the hyperkinetic action I was just bored. Sorry Speed fans!
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 7:36PM
ratphink said...
Loved the cartoon as a kid, now have the DVDs and my kids also love the show. So, we will be there on Friday!
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 8:13PM
Paul McCall said...
Nope, just the previews give me a headache! FOr some reason I don't understand (because I don't want to think about it) it reminds me of TRON.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 8:15PM
Oreo said...
The "brothers" have never had it together so they couldn't lose it.
I won't see it, I never liked the cartoon, I think the preview makes the movie look terrible.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 8:38PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
I may get some vitamin A and check this puppy out. It might make for a nice trip film.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 9:37PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Nope. Cartoon was bad. This looks just as bad. Who is this supposed to appeal to? 40 year olds with a desire to see their crap cartoons at the movies?
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 9:40PM
Ric Kaysen said...
...the very next time I'm twelve.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 9:57PM
Angela said...
I DO remember that theme song. Who could forget it? lol
http://angelasdiscountmarket.com/angela.html
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 10:06PM
Cyantre said...
No, even the commericals for the movie look like they could give you a seizure.
Reply
5-07-2008 @ 10:54PM
Lenny said...
I'll probably see it, but only because I have a friend who buys more DVDs than I knew existed and he'll lend it to me for free.
If I had to pay anything I'd have to pass after seeing the previews and I was a SR fan as a child.
Reply
5-08-2008 @ 1:47AM
Jez said...
I live in the Netherlands and the movie was out yesterday (Wednesday). All I can say is that is was a very stylized rainbow-o-rama hot mess. You have to watch it, even if only for the art direction.
Reply
5-08-2008 @ 4:58AM
Bash said...
This has "Batman Forever" written all over it...
The preview made me feel sick already so I can not watch it in a movie theater (just like "Cloverfield"). Most likely I will give it a try once it is out on DVD to watch on a smaller screen.
But honestly it just looks awful. And it has that Korean Singer/Dancer in it. And Mathew Fox. *yuck*
Reply
5-08-2008 @ 5:06AM
Nathaniel said...
Bash, you may NOT insult Matthew Fox. I revoke your permission.