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Rather Good - 25/5/2008 2:22:03 PM   
sleepwalker

 

Posts: 154
Joined: 12/6/2006
From: Bristol
 I was trapped in london last wek with a few hours to kill and thought I would pass the time by watching this. I had followed the build up over the previous few months and really didnt care, especially after reading the review, but as I have seen just about everything else and the timing was right though I would pop in.
and.
Its really good, Its not going to win any awards for writing acting or directing, but for pure, switch off your brain popcorn entertainment the film just clicked for me. Loved the racing, I thought that even for a cartoon film the flipping around car-fu stunts wouldnt work but they were exhilerating and have the added bonus of blocking any potential film version of wipeout that some braindead executive my try and create. The majority of the plot kept me entertained, the family dynamic and troubled past of our protagonists was enough to keep me going until the next race. Now i know I may take some grief for this but special mention should go to both the sidekick younger brother and the hammy villain who rather than irritate actually had me in hysterics

by the way, thats the first time that ive been to the Empire at Leicester Square in years and I had forgot how beautiful screen 1 is. You guys are spoiled.

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Post #: 301
RE: Rather Good - 26/5/2008 4:14:18 PM   
max314


Posts: 2707
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: London
 I live here, but I don't think I've ever been to the Empire.  The few times I've gone to see a film at Leicester Square I always go to the Odeon.  Which is cool, too.  Saw Casino Royale there.  Front row balcony seats   And they have the old skool ushers!

Glad you liked the film, sleepwalker.  It is ridiculously fun


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MAX

Laying the 314 on your candy ass.

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Post #: 302
RE: - 27/5/2008 9:28:18 AM   
ScottiE


Posts: 798
Joined: 27/1/2006
From: The Middle of Nowhere!
 I give it a 3. Visually its very good, the races are great, however where it fails is the plot, its quite confusing, I don't think lot of the kids, such as my two who are 7 and 4 will have a clus about the plot. and this is the traget audionce, In someways thought the visually and colurs used are quite intoxicating.
Good fun, could of been better but OK. just dont go in expecting to see a masterpiece becuase you wont.

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Post #: 303
RE: - 27/5/2008 9:41:31 AM   
ScottiE


Posts: 798
Joined: 27/1/2006
From: The Middle of Nowhere!
 Visually very good, even though a shade intoxicating at times, plot, did'nt have a clue about the plot, something todo with corrutpsion.    This movie limps in with a 3 score.
my kids found the fight sceans funny.

< Message edited by ScottiE -- 27/5/2008 9:56:46 AM >

_____________________________

" Your 10 seconds away from the most embarrasing moment of your life "



"When you need to shoot , shoot, dont talk "

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Post #: 304
RE: RE: - 27/5/2008 10:21:55 PM   
alamo1

 

Posts: 10
Joined: 1/5/2008
visually stunning, artistic directing an it captured the heart of anime. fast paced full of action gone in 60 seconds. Just like anime wachowksis = genius

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Post #: 305
RE: Speed Racer - 29/5/2008 4:02:48 PM   
R W

 

Posts: 268
Joined: 23/6/2006
Directors/Screenwriters: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Paulie Litt, Kick Gurry, Rain, Roger Allam

Synopsis Speed Racer (Hircsch) drives the Mach 5 to not only save the family business, but change the world of racing forever. With the help of his family, as well as his girlfriend Trixie and the mysterious Racer X (Fox), Speed tries to stop an evil organisation by competing in The Crucible.

Review
Based on the classic 60s anime series by Tatsuo Yoshida, the creators of The Matrix trilogy has created this adaptation to take on the family film, as well as bringing something new to cinema. After their disappointing version of the successful V for Vendetta, this is really the comeback for uber-geeks the Wachowski brothers.

For someone who was never a fan on the show, despite its catchy theme song, I didn't know what to expect, despite it being a live-action cartoon. Since the latest family films are dead with their dried wit, I wasn't looking forward to what I thought was going to be a one-note gag. However, the brothers have managed to bring some originality to this visually stunning racer film.

The story is a bit of a mish-mash of previous underdog stories, such as Top Gun and Days of Thunder, in which the protagonist is trying to be the best driver of all time, and believing that family lives on in his veins and will not sell himself to greedy bastards like Roger Allam.

Speed Racer is best conceived as a family drama and this is how the Wachowskis' writing comes out of. There is an emotional hook between all the family members and this is what Speed gets on his feet. A lot of its wit comes from the young Spritle Racer, played by Paulie Litt, who can get frequently annoying.

The true stars of Speed Racer are the directors, who have created a retro futuristic world that combines a live-action foreground with a background of some of the most colourful visual effects ever conceived by John Gaeta. Though this has a PG certificate, the film can get pretty violent with its extreme races and bare-fist fighting.

Despite the irritating Litt, everyone is perfectly cast, including Emile Hirsch who has the charisma of a young Tom Cruise. Christina Ricci is another piece of delight to watch as she is not some damsel-in-distress. Lost's Matthew Fox can get pretty sinister, though his character is not that secretive.

Trying to keep true to the original anime, the Wachowskis has hired composer Michael Giacchino to create a playful and busy musical score. For those who are huge fans of the show will get a good kick-out of the new updated version of the "Go, Speed Racer, Go” theme song.

Verdict
All in all, this is a triumphant return of the geeks that brought us The Matrix trilogy. Go, Speed Racer, go!

< Message edited by R W -- 29/5/2008 4:05:12 PM >

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Post #: 306
RE: Speed Racer - 29/5/2008 10:30:23 PM   
sam89


Posts: 545
Joined: 1/5/2008
I saw it again today - and I stand by my 5 star rating. I probably enjoyed it even more the second time 

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Post #: 307
RE: Speed Racer - 30/5/2008 6:38:18 PM   
max314


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

ORIGINAL: R W

All in all, this is a triumphant return of the geeks that brought us The Matrix trilogy. Go, Speed Racer, go!


Awesome

quote:

ORIGINAL: sam89

I saw it again today - and I stand by my 5 star rating. I probably enjoyed it even more the second time 


I sooooooo cannot wait to see it again...  Next viewing's gonna be at IMAX.  I hope


_____________________________

MAX

Laying the 314 on your candy ass.

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Post #: 308
RE: Speed Racer - 30/5/2008 9:24:49 PM   
Stewie_Griffin


Posts: 6970
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: St.Albans, Hertfordshire
quote:

ORIGINAL: max314


I sooooooo cannot wait to see it again...  Next viewing's gonna be at IMAX.  I hope



I know i've had my reservations about this movie, But i'd happily sit through it again just to see how it fares on IMAX. I don't envy the projectionists though, Sounds like you need a degree from NASA just to run the things. Plus the prints are mega expensive, So if you've scratched it, You just bought it.

< Message edited by Stewie_Griffin -- 30/5/2008 9:25:48 PM >

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Post #: 309
RE: Speed Racer - 20/6/2008 1:10:27 PM   
ripblade

 

Posts: 20
Joined: 20/7/2007
Where do you begin with a film like this, a film that from a distance looks like a combination of LSD covered skittles, dipped in sugar and candy floss, topped with hundreds and thousands.

Well, it’s probably a good idea to get it out of the way and just say I liked it, though I can see why a lot of people won’t and because of this I am very surprised it got made in the first place (Especially at the cost). A main-stream budget ($125mil +) with a very indy audience.

As a review, it’d be best to review each individual area on it’s own merits.

Special Effects – the main focus, as virtually the whole film is one big special effect. They are spectacular, though an acquired taste. If you’ve seen the trailers, then you’ll already know whether you’re into it or not. Everything is very big, bold, full of primary colours and intentionally cartoony.

All excellent and cutting edge stuff, with camera moves that swirl around the race and then spin for a close-up of the driver in one prolonged action. You’d be hard pressed to find better CGI in a film this year. But bare in mind you can’t judge the quality of these effects on realism as that’s not what their going for. The races and the backgrounds are all amazing in their bubble-gum way.

Characters/Actors – All the actors play their respective parts well, though again some of the performance may seem wooden and/or outlandish, but again it’s the imitation of a cartoon world, so you either get it or you don’t.

Saying that though, a lot of the film is about the Racer family and their values, and key emotional scenes between Speed and his parents are very well acted and not cartoony in the slightest.

Oh and Christina Ricci as Trixie is to die for…

Story – The story overall is relatively simple, I’m not going to ruin it for you but essentially it’s about racing, family values and corporate greed.

This is where the film weakens a bit, as for a film that is aimed at 10 year olds, there are some very long stretches of dialogue that focus on business, economics and corporations. These sections could have been trimmed and compared to the all out cartoony mayhem that occurs during the races, these parts really slam the breaks on and slow the story.

I didn’t mind these sections, but a CEO giving a 5 minute lecture about share prices in a “kids” film seems a bit out of place.

This does however build to a very tense climatic race, with the introduction as Speed walks out being my favourite part of the film.

Music – Complimenting the visuals, it’s crazy, exciting and uplifting, and gives the races an extra oomph.

Overall, I enjoyed the film minus a few odd steps with the economic lessons mid-way. It is definitely a marmite situation though, you’ll either love it or hate it. Check out the trailer, if you think “What the f***?!” when you see it, the films probably not for you, but if it intrigues you and you think it looks new and exciting, see it in the cinema!!

7.5/10


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Read more at - http://ripbladereviews.blogspot.com/

Watch. Enjoy. Discuss.

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Post #: 310
speed racer - 20/6/2008 7:49:54 PM   
em599

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 20/6/2008
The reason to see Speed Racer is for the special effects the Wachowski Brothers have used. The bright, surreal colours used imply a fantasy world that they are familiar with after creating The Matrix Triology. The film appears to be marketed at a target audience of teenagers, but with the competitive car chace elements, appeal to an older audience. The use of actor Emile Hirsch and Matthew Fox attracts the female audience where as the fast car are for the stereotypical male audience. The plot of the film is simple enough to follow and as an audience we can relate to the emotions the protagonist is feeling and the emotions are put across in a simple way so that children will be able to understand. This is where i think the film loses its appeal as the plot becomes far too easy and predictable therefore leaving no surprise at the climax at the end of the film for the older audience. The speed and special effects of the film are most enjoyable although a couple of the car scenes in my opinion, last longer than they need to, and i suspect many audience members could grow tired towards the end. However, i believe that the film conforms to the typical happy ending in a film leaving audiences satisfied and in awe of the Wachowski brothers' technical work.

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Post #: 311
EMPIRE ARE IDIOTS - 10/7/2008 10:03:42 PM   
asha23

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 10/7/2008
If you can't appreciate the technical skill involved in pulling off this cinematic treat then I am going to stop buying your magazine....

"OOH BUT WE LOVED THE MATRIX..... "

The Matrix is OLD..... Noody understood that at the time, (some pretended to) ... Same with Speed Racer....

IT IS A SEMINAL... 5 Star movie..... Grow up and accept that fact and you might just be 3rd rate film critics.....

I cannot believe that you fools can't see the myriad intelligent refernces in this movie, and how it is taking the cinemtatic form forward,,,

Stop trying to be "highbrow" and appreciate pure entertainment..

I couldn't give a shit about the plot in this film....

It's irellevant

What is relevant is the blending of hyperrealitly and reality

I bet you Empire fools still think the Matrix is the apex of what the Warchowski Bros can do

A year from now and it'll be all about SPEED RACER.......

OPEN YOUR FUCKING EYES, you jaded hacks....

Speed Racer is the film of the year

The Dark Knight will be disappointing.... Mark my words

Then employ me, Coz I'm right and you are wrong..

Cheers

Ashxxxx

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Post #: 312
James McTigue - 10/7/2008 10:07:26 PM   
asha23

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 10/7/2008
Is the second unit director

ERM>>>> HE DIRECTED V FOR VENDETTA IN HIS OWN RIGHT... THAT HE IS 2nd UNIT ON THIS MASTERPIECE SAYS IT ALL

"You have to look with better eyes than that"

- The Abyss

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Post #: 313
Fuck The Plot - 10/7/2008 10:11:52 PM   
asha23

 

Posts: 3
Joined: 10/7/2008
Speed racer trancends plot......... It just does..

Its about CINEMA........ Not plot...

In the same way that impressionist painters begat "realism" for "feelings"

DO YOU GET IT NOW???

NO??

Go and watch fucking Scary Movie then... This wasn't for you....

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Post #: 314
Go speed racer go! - 13/10/2008 6:57:16 PM   
missearl

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 9/10/2008
From: Ipswich
 Ok i wasn't really excited abotu this coming out and hadn't planned ot see it.
But one day it was the only thing on, and we went in to the empty screen ( with only 3 other people) and sat down expecting nothing, some sort of cheerful kids film.
I have to sya i thought it was amazing. The effects were mind blowing and although the plot lacked credibility. It was a beautiful film full of fun
I think the effects were pretty amazing and in parts it was quite funny.

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Post #: 315
Speed Racer - 21/10/2008 6:22:06 PM   
AxelB

 

Posts: 12
Joined: 21/10/2008
From: Iceland
 And they´re off.. into air battling in computer generated vehicles. Seeing a cartoon series that has little respect(for good reasons) getting a fair silver screen experience. The film has redeeming factors like Mathew Fox´s subplot and Emile Hirsch is a pretty awesome looking Speed Racer but the film is ultamitely like a better version of Spy Kids and the "kiddie" elements are very overwhelming. The effects make the viewer pretty aware of they are watching a computer generated effects battling each other but the colorful backrounds and bizarre transitions between flashbacks.

The thing i was doing the most while watching the film was trying to find the controller and join in the "game".

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Post #: 316
just fab ! - 13/11/2008 10:01:49 PM   
soulfood

 

Posts: 54
Joined: 6/10/2005
I. enyoyed this movie in imax just ! fab... now have got the dvd

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Post #: 317
- 18/11/2008 12:49:09 PM   
filmburner30

 

Posts: 1546
Joined: 5/12/2006
From: guildford
 Awful Film
With a plot thinner than a cigarette paper and headache inducing visuals i despised this movie no end
Ok so it looked great but looking good and telling a good story have to go hand in hand.
It comes to something when a Monkey is the best thing in a film
A film which lands with a thud and stays there 3/10

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Post #: 318
Wretched Speed Racer - 29/11/2008 3:36:15 PM   
lynnshep


Posts: 428
Joined: 17/1/2007
From: USA
 Dull, without life or feeling. The camera moved so fast and abruptly that it was hard to concentrate and made me physically sick. Okay performances, bad plot, bad writing, and bad direction. Excellent SFX and visuals can't save this film.

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Post #: 319
RE: Wretched Speed Racer - 10/12/2008 2:10:33 PM   
Fluke Skywalker


Posts: 9540
Joined: 23/4/2006
From: the dark side of the sun
 Looked amazing, I thought it was pretty damn exciting but I wish they'd not plumped for a cheesy kid's movie score. Some of the scenes are crying out for heavy guitars or banging dance tunes. It still would have been an enjoyable ride for the young-uns but the cool-factor would have been upped a good few notches for us oldies

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Post #: 320
RE: Wretched Speed Racer - 10/12/2008 2:11:15 PM   
Fluke Skywalker


Posts: 9540
Joined: 23/4/2006
From: the dark side of the sun
 Looked amazing, I thought it was pretty damn exciting but I wish they'd not plumped for a cheesy kid's movie score. Some of the scenes are crying out for heavy guitars or banging dance tunes. It still would have been an enjoyable ride for the young-uns but the cool-factor would have been upped a good few notches for us oldies

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Post #: 321
RE: Wretched Speed Racer - 10/12/2008 2:12:10 PM   
Fluke Skywalker


Posts: 9540
Joined: 23/4/2006
From: the dark side of the sun
 Looked amazing, I thought it was pretty damn exciting but I wish they'd not plumped for the cheesy kid's movie score. Some of the scenes are crying out for heavy guitars or banging dance tunes. It still would have been an enjoyable ride for the young-uns but the cool-factor would have been upped a good few notches for us oldies

(in reply to Fluke Skywalker)
Post #: 322
RE: Wretched Speed Racer - 12/12/2008 5:58:35 AM   
horatio hornblower

 

Posts: 210
Joined: 25/11/2008
you could have edited most of the plot out and had a great film
i loved the raving bits and the fight sequences
the cars looked amazing

_____________________________

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow

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Post #: 323
RE: Wretched Speed Racer - 12/12/2008 5:59:32 AM   
horatio hornblower

 

Posts: 210
Joined: 25/11/2008
you could have edited most of the plot out and had a great film
i loved the raving bits and the fight sequences
the cars looked amazing

_____________________________

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow

(in reply to Fluke Skywalker)
Post #: 324
RE: Speed Racer - 22/1/2009 5:27:02 PM   
Worldz

 

Posts: 38
Joined: 22/1/2009
rubbish movie

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Post #: 325
Awful And Just So Prejectable. - 2/2/2009 10:23:45 AM   
joanna likes films

 

Posts: 987
Joined: 27/10/2007
From: Bexhill
 After seeing the trailer one too many times at the cinema and had the excellent dirctors of The Matrix, it had so much promise that I just had to see it for myself. But to my horror, I wished I didn't. Though the CG is stunning and clever to be done in green screen once again, the high ammounts of colour and the camera moving at a very fast montion could give anyone a feeling of nasua or a spliting headache. The car races are brilliant, gripping and awesome but you just know what happens at the end: Speed wins and gets the girl! Oh, haven't we heard this before? The pefomances from Christina Richi (wasted love intrest), Emile Hirsch (my sister's secret love and trying to be Elvis but fails), Matthew Fox (is he or not the dead brother?), John Goodman (okay but again wasted) and Susan Sarandon (another wasted talent but here for the touching scenes) are like I said, either wasted or just there to stand around doing nothing. The plot is awful, there is a lot of holes and flaws even a bleeped swear word and then Hirsch goes ahead and says the s word! Right. The most annoying thing in this movie was the kid and it's chimp (Chin Chin?), there are some bad kid actors around but this is the worst. I wanted him gone the first time he appeared, the poor animal dressed up like a human and is somewhat part of the family? Ugh. In all, the CG is stunning to look at on Blu-Ray but the poor pefomances, the awful story and a prejecatble and a horrifiying ending doesn't make it great at all.

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Post #: 326
Thoroughly enjoyable - 10/4/2009 8:31:49 PM   
The Voice of Fate


Posts: 113
Joined: 11/10/2005
This is like Whacky Races for the 21st century.

It's fast, well acted, sumptuous visuals and does not take itself too seriously. There is also no gore - so a horde of late teens will be disappointed.

BUT - it is fun and send you out with a smile - and that's worth a lot these days...

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Post #: 327
Thoroughly enjoyable - 10/4/2009 8:34:39 PM   
The Voice of Fate


Posts: 113
Joined: 11/10/2005
This is like Whacky Races for the 21st century.

It's fast, well acted, sumptuous visuals and does not take itself too seriously. There is also no gore - so a horde of late teens will be disappointed.

BUT - it is fun and send you out with a smile - and that's worth a lot these days...

(in reply to Empire Admin)
Post #: 328
Thoroughly enjoyable - 10/4/2009 8:35:04 PM   
The Voice of Fate


Posts: 113
Joined: 11/10/2005
This is like Whacky Races for the 21st century.

It's fast, well acted, sumptuous visuals and does not take itself too seriously. There is also no gore - so a horde of late teens will be disappointed.

BUT - it is fun and send you out with a smile - and that's worth a lot these days...

(in reply to Empire Admin)
Post #: 329
Thoroughly enjoyable - 10/4/2009 8:35:33 PM   
The Voice of Fate


Posts: 113
Joined: 11/10/2005
This is like Whacky Races for the 21st century.

It's fast, well acted, sumptuous visuals and does not take itself too seriously. There is also no gore - so a horde of late teens will be disappointed.

BUT - it is fun and send you out with a smile - and that's worth a lot these days...

(in reply to Empire Admin)
Post #: 330
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