The last thing you expect from a kids movie called Speed Racer is for it to drag on for 135 minutes. But that's what this TV cartoon adaptation from the Wachowski brothers does. It's a real shame – because had it been leaner and meaner, this might have been a pop art classic.
As his name indicates, Speed Racer, played by Emile Hirsch, has been born to race cars. His older brother died at the wheel. His dad is a car engineer. And his girlfriend Trixie is a helicopter spotter who hovers over the track.
When we meet Speed, he's being lured into a corporate contract by racing tycoon Royalton. But when the mogul proves sinister, Speed has to fight for what's right in a series of gruelling track challenges.
Speed Racer's real hero is its production designer, Owen Paterson. Working in the CGI realm, he's created a world and machines that are often eye popping. And the Wachowski use a multitude of techniques, including inventive transitions, that also dazzle the senses.
Amid all the techno trickery, the performances from a strong cast including Susan Sarandon, John Goodman and Christina Ricci are as good as they can be.
Problem is, Speed Racer offers too much of everything. There's not one but two corporate conspiracy plots, which are meant to appeal to adults. Meanwhile, for the kids in the audience, there are little-brother and monkey slapstick antics. We also have to stop for family-drama moments and flashback intrigue about the identity of the mysterious Racer X as well as getting through half a dozen races.
These contests should be thrilling but sometimes there's so much bam-crash-boom we can't tell what's going on. Half the time, the Wachowskis' film is a joyous trip-movie - 2000 and Formula One: A Race Odyssey, if you will - but unfortunate for the film less is more.
As a dazzling visceral experience, Speed Racer manages to accele-rate three stars.
