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Speed Racer - 30/4/2008 12:42:13 PM   
Empire Admin

 

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Post #: 1
It's all about the races - 30/4/2008 12:42:13 PM   
keaneye

 

Posts: 128
Joined: 27/10/2007
From: Dublin
 I want to see the races on the big screen. I want to see how it all looks. I had a feeling the characters would struggle for credibility in those outfits, although it looks like a fun Saturday matinee. In other words, not to be taken too seriously.

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Post #: 2
- 30/4/2008 12:54:44 PM   
holsy


Posts: 191
Joined: 5/12/2005
Is the rating seriously a 15??? You describe it as one more the kids?

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Post #: 3
RE: - 30/4/2008 1:08:19 PM   
grucl

 

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Max?

Hello???

Are you still breathing?


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Post #: 4
RE: Speed Racer - 30/4/2008 1:12:20 PM   
Larry of Arabia


Posts: 7366
Joined: 28/2/2007
From: Turtle Island
 I won't see this in the cinema, but I might have a look on DVD. It probably has to be seen on the big screen to fully appreciate the visuals, but style over substance doesn't interest me. Seems like a one of this summer's solid tentpole pictures along with Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk etc. Don't know if it'll do as well as those, though.

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RE: - 30/4/2008 1:21:24 PM   
Super Hans


Posts: 2291
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From: Watford
quote:

ORIGINAL: holsy

Is the rating seriously a 15??? You describe it as one more the kids?


Nah - it's a PG according to the BBFC website.

Not sure I'd pay to watch it.  The visuals look great but I'd never heard of Speed Racer until I heard about the film - I gather it's more significant in the US?

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Post #: 6
RE: Speed Racer - 30/4/2008 1:40:53 PM   
Dukez

 

Posts: 36
Joined: 30/4/2008
Is this a terrible cartoon turned into a really silly movie,
so how is the acting in this film ?
More like a cheesy playstation game come to life.

Can this movie really be better than
"A passage to India"
"Ironman"
"Full Metal Jacket"
"Simpsons movie"
"Paint your Wagon"
"The Tailor of Panama "
"Black Book"
"Ice Cold in Alex"
"Tombstone"
"Darkman"
and all those other allegedly crap films you gave two stars like "Enter the Dragon". 


< Message edited by Dukez -- 30/4/2008 3:25:47 PM >

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Post #: 7
Wrong - 30/4/2008 3:18:26 PM   
IsabelB

 

Posts: 145
Joined: 27/1/2008
this isnt a 15 i went on the website it's a PG.

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Post #: 8
RE: Wrong - 30/4/2008 3:47:51 PM   
shawshank prisoner


Posts: 1650
Joined: 20/4/2006
From: Norwich
 i was pesemistic and expected a two star review. it'll be visually impressive, no doubt, but the trailer makes the whole thing look like shit. I'll end up seeing this at cinema during the summer but I'm not sure I'll enjoy it... it'll flop as well, no doubt.

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Post #: 9
Bit of a predictable review there, Empire... - 30/4/2008 4:13:53 PM   
BOBBYDeNiro

 

Posts: 6
Joined: 5/8/2006
Cumon, everybody knew that it was going to get the inoffensive three star rating from Empire. Playing it safe so you can up it one star or down it one star when you review the DVD, depending on everyone elses critical reception (which you so often do). Just make up your mind! you don't need to balance the argument, just have some balls and have an opinion... since the trailer you've been backing this film with phrases such as 'y'know, for kids' and yet you call it 'entirely shallow' what in the name of hell did you expect? you even admit that it is JUST A CARTOON, Y'KNOW, FOR KIDS. Does it, in your opinion, work on these levels? if not, if you were confused or disappointed as you sound in this review, rate it a two.

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Post #: 10
RE: RE: - 30/4/2008 4:33:55 PM   
max314


Posts: 2707
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: London
quote:

ORIGINAL: grucl

Max?

Hello???

Are you still breathing?




Dude, I'm in the middle of fucking exam season here!

(That's "fucking exam season", not "fucking exam season"...I'm not that lucky.)

But yeah, I was expecting a 4-star review, although a 3-star doesn't surprise me.  Like they say, the film's gonna be highly divisive - you'll either dig what the Brothers are doing, or you'll be chucking up on your way out of the cinema.  And the early internet response to the trailers was pretty indicative of that, anyway.

Besides, 50% of internet users
+
thousands of Cartoon Network-aged kids
+
their parents
+
Matrix fans
+
Wachowski fans
+
guys using it as a compromise so they don't have to watch What Happens In Vegas... with their girlfriends
=
big enough box office for a sequel...hopefully

This is obviously going to be the Wachowskis' brainless action adventure series.  Something that has a lot of serialisation potential, especially since it's derived from a cartoon series to begin with.

So yeah, I'm expecting some insane big screen fun...can't wait!


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Post #: 11
RE: RE: - 30/4/2008 5:34:57 PM   
Ghost Mutt


Posts: 179
Joined: 28/11/2005
From: London
  
Have personally seen the film at the Press Screening last Sunday at the Empire cinema and, personally, I loved it.

Aesthetically it's a beauty and although the plot is a little hard to comprehend - altogether I was really impressed by the overall style, weighted plot and fantastic action sequences - notably the GP's and the fighting segments - watch out for the mountain top rumble, absolutely brilliant.

Mind you did you expect anything else from the creators of the burly brawl...?

Personally, I thought the flashback were brilliantly handled and added serious oomph to the plot…

I really recommend watching this – obviously on the big screen or on a HD TV when the inevitable DVD is released around August time…



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Post #: 12
RE: RE: - 30/4/2008 5:35:25 PM   
Ghost Mutt


Posts: 179
Joined: 28/11/2005
From: London
 Have personally seen the film at the Press Screening last Sunday at the Empire cinema and, personally, I loved it.

Aesthetically it's a beauty and although the plot is a little hard to comprehend - altogether I was really impressed by the overall style, weighted plot and fantastic action sequences - notably the GP's and the fighting segments - watch out for the mountain top rumble, absolutely brilliant.

Mind you did you expect anything else from the creators of the burly brawl...?

Personally, I thought the flashback were brilliantly handled and added serious oomph to the plot…

I really recommend watching this – obviously on the big screen or on a HD TV when the inevitable DVD is released around August time…

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Post #: 13
BOBBYDeNiro... - 30/4/2008 6:23:20 PM   
Silvertouch

 

Posts: 127
Joined: 6/11/2005
You cut straight to the bone, but you speak the truth. Empire, if you're telling me right now that Speed Racer is equal to I Am Legend, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to call you out as fence-sitting sycophants.

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Post #: 14
RE: BOBBYDeNiro... - 30/4/2008 7:44:42 PM   
badassmofo


Posts: 1324
Joined: 14/10/2005
From: Russian Literature
 Fuck it Im still looking forward to its migraine inducing pop-art funkiness. Seriously Im more excited about this than I ever thought I would be

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Post #: 15
Loved the movie, hated this review. Particularly... - 30/4/2008 7:59:11 PM   
jgcrawford177

 

Posts: 1
Joined: 30/4/2008
... the line about the "antiquated view of women." Did we watch the same movie? I saw women driving race cars, kung fu fighting, flying helicopters, welding iron, defying their families, broadcasting sports, customizing race cars for combat, and yes, making pancakes. I don't know which antiquated view you're talking about. Would love to hear a response, but you'll probably conform to my antiquated view of pompous film critics,

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Post #: 16
- 30/4/2008 9:42:08 PM   
Deacon Frost

 

Posts: 91
Joined: 20/1/2008
From: West Midlands
 Not sure what to make of Speed Racer, and I think thats my point. I er...just dont care. Maybe I still carry the scars of matrix 2 and 3, films which also looked utterley breathtaking in the trailers (in particular the 2nd) yet were clock watching, get on with it garbage in the flesh. I think I will save my cash for Mr. Ford, Mr. Bale & Mr. Ledger. Will pop in and see what other people think and value their opinion though, so I might reconsider.

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Post #: 17
RE: - 30/4/2008 11:49:34 PM   
Cleric John Preston

 

Posts: 91
Joined: 28/3/2008
Total Film has given it 2 stars. I haven't seen it, and don't intend to, just thought I'd mention it. 

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Post #: 18
2 for 3 - 1/5/2008 4:35:21 AM   
ajpthomas

 

Posts: 7
Joined: 1/5/2006
So after the hype machine (of two of the event films of the year apparently) has quietly disappeared, we are left with two 3 star movies.. I agree with the other comment about Empire needing to validate their coverage and not to annoy the stars, so once the fuss has died down the DVD's can get the real rating. Bear in mind this is the magazine that gave Independence Day 5 stars and The Phantom Menace 4 stars on their cinema debuts

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Post #: 19
- 1/5/2008 8:04:17 AM   
stravers

 

Posts: 57
Joined: 21/9/2006
Isn't the point about the wachowskis is that they don't make comic book movies, they make moving comic books. That's why the matrix sequels are so divisive, they don't operate in the way that movies should, they operate by the rules of comic books.

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Post #: 20
RE: - 1/5/2008 9:42:42 AM   
alpat24

 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/10/2005
In response to the poster who mentioned that Empire goes along way to hyping movies, and then having to validate there coverage when the films eventually turn out as good or average, is not the point. We want to know about these films, so the coverage is given, and I believ these films get the rating they deserve, I think Empire may even upgrade Iron Man to 4 stars on DVD. Anyway I don't think Speed Racer has been that hyped at all, it looks like a cartoon and I don't think the majority of the people here on the forum are the target audience for this film i.e Anyone under 15, anyone who likes comedy Chimps ala MVP, and Americans who know the cartoon. To me it just looks like a headache waitiing to happen, but as long as it looks good, shiny and bright, who cares about story and characters, eh kids ?

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Post #: 21
It's pretty shit - 2/5/2008 4:39:43 PM   
AboyNamedSue

 

Posts: 283
Joined: 17/12/2005
Sorry, but it's a mess. Saw it today. Overlong and tedious. Also, Emile Hirsch punches like a girl. Fox was good though. Iron man was a hell of a lot better - go see that twice instead.

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Post #: 22
Speed Racer. - 4/5/2008 9:25:58 PM   
nc_jj


Posts: 662
Joined: 20/2/2008
From: Manchester.
 I have to admit that I like this movie. I mean, it's no Matrix, right? But I really liked this.

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Post #: 23
RE: Bit of a predictable review there, Empire... - 5/5/2008 10:24:05 AM   
fierce-hairdo

 

Posts: 166
Joined: 14/11/2005
quote:

ORIGINAL: BOBBYDeNiro

Cumon, everybody knew that it was going to get the inoffensive three star rating from Empire. Playing it safe so you can up it one star or down it one star when you review the DVD, depending on everyone elses critical reception (which you so often do). Just make up your mind! you don't need to balance the argument, just have some balls and have an opinion... since the trailer you've been backing this film with phrases such as 'y'know, for kids' and yet you call it 'entirely shallow' what in the name of hell did you expect? you even admit that it is JUST A CARTOON, Y'KNOW, FOR KIDS. Does it, in your opinion, work on these levels? if not, if you were confused or disappointed as you sound in this review, rate it a two.


I agree in part with BOBBYDeNiro's sentiments here. Empire blatantly functions as an extension of mainstream hollywood publicity machine. It claims to provide objective analysis but really just whips up excitement over months and months for the next blockbuster and then looks very silly when it turns out to be a turkey. And the policy of re-reviewing films on DVD and re-grading reveals either dishonesty or bad judgement. Phantom Menace, Independance Day etc... there are lots of examples of Empire giving bad films good reviews on release and then realising they were wrong later. Not professional.
And notice how hey never go out of there way to publicise smaller films. When was the last time Empire had numerous special features on say a Mike Leigh film?? Why not give publicity to good films that actually need the exposure rather than, say, Iron Man or Speed Racer that already have a posters on every London bus anyway!

< Message edited by fierce-hairdo -- 5/5/2008 10:25:46 AM >

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Post #: 24
Rate it as you write it! - 5/5/2008 11:05:25 AM   
jimibadboi7

 

Posts: 107
Joined: 7/12/2006
so....Speed Racer is equally as enjoyable as Iron Man then???

This review reads like a 2 star film...where as the Iron Man review read like a 4....nevermind...stamp them both with a 3.....

next up for the obligatory 3 star treatment....Hulk, Wanted and The happening!


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Post #: 25
- 5/5/2008 11:10:00 AM   
jimibadboi7

 

Posts: 107
Joined: 7/12/2006
Not that i particularly enjoy total film, and they are guilty of dodgy reviews (Jumper 4 stars! ha)... but at least their ratings relate to the review....they slate speed racer and give it a 2.....they praise iron man and give it a 3....that makes sense at least.

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Post #: 26
RE: - 5/5/2008 11:11:25 AM   
DJ Rob C: Mark II!


Posts: 34808
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From: Christmas town
 Didn't want to see this originally, but it looks fun enough plus it's on IMAX which I love an excuse to go to

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Post #: 27
RE: Speed Racer - 5/5/2008 5:55:39 PM   
max314


Posts: 2707
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: London
 Well, we've seen Total Film's negative review, but here's a collection of some pretty exciting opinions:
  • "Thrilling" and "triumphantly visual".  (Empire)
  • "Visually astonishing...groundbreaking triumph".  "The Wachowskis back on groundbreaking form".  (IGN UK)
  • "The term 'rollercoaster ride' was all but invented to describe it."  (Den of Geek)
  • "The kind of visual spectacle that demands to be seen - and preferably on the biggest screen you can possibly find."  (Film4)
  • "An awesome, heart-thumping super-kinetic spectacle which will have you gripping the sides of your seat in terror and exhilaration."  (The Telegraph)
  • "Speed Racer is a blast from start to finish.  Five stars."  (Cole Smithey)


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    • Post #: 28
    Oh dear - 6/5/2008 7:35:06 AM   
    IsabelB

     

    Posts: 145
    Joined: 27/1/2008
    		speed racer and iron man were anticipated for ages by empire, and when they come out, they get crap ratings. please let indy 4 get a good rating.

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    Post #: 29
    RE: Speed Racer - 6/5/2008 10:29:31 AM   
    alpat24

     

    Posts: 46
    Joined: 3/10/2005
    		I saw a preview this weekend and took my nephew along, he half enjoyed it, said it was OK and mainly enjoyed the races and laughed heartily at the monkey (me too, but I just find monkies funny). But found alot of it confusing and abit overwhelming.

    Some alternative opinions to your rave reviews posted (and more the majority view I would warrant)
    You might admire it as a Warholian blur of pop art, gawp and gasp at its Hot Wheels-for-real dynamism, or get a headache -
    Ian Nathan  Empire Magazine

    It's an eyesore, a shambles, with incoherent action and ear-buckling dialogue.
    David Edelstein  New York Magazine

    Unlike a Pixar cartoon that embraces as wide an audience as possible, Speed Racer proudly denies entry into its ultra-bright world to all but gamers, fanboys and anime enthusiasts.
    Kirk Honeycutt Hollywood Reporter

    Unfortunately the Wachowski Brothers have lucked out again, not down to there visionary visual style. But the fact they haven't got an ear for good dialogue and haven't the knack of getting the best out of characters, and have no idea how to string together a coherent narrative.

    < Message edited by alpat24 -- 6/5/2008 10:33:09 AM >

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