Speed Racer

Went for Blind Date at Sathyam expecting this movie and was thrilled when I was proved right. The cartoon was fun when I was younger and wanted to see how it was translated on film. The movie has stayed true to its japanese roots, shot mostly in front of the green screen it brings the same colorful almost psychadelic look perfectly. This is great fun for the cartoon enthusiasts but normal movie goers found it a bit tedious. Most people walked out during the interval and my company resisted just because I promised dinner afterwards. Besides its sacrilege to walk out of a movie half way (unless it has nicholas cage or Simbu)

The story is based on Speed whose sole passion is racing, his elder brother rex, dad pops and mom (susan sarandon surprisingly) The love interest was played by Christina Ricci, who is more suited for Black snake moan or was that snake black moan than playing a chirpy girlfriend. The world weariness just radiates off her and its like shes mocking the whole character. Except for the scene where she is racing, a wierd vulnerability came through.
The story progresses with the elder brother leaving home and becoming a dirty racer before dying. Speed Racer takes on the mantle and goes on to become a prodigy who is then wooed by the big bad corporations. He resists and then the usual bad guy, good guy twists and turns and speeches that would put joan collins to shame. Then there is the mysterious Racer X who may be the dead brother or not? Anyways forget the story, the CIG is good and the races are fun. Emile Hirsch as speed racer exudes innocence and passion well. The chimp is cute, though why the mom keeps having kids decades apart and where the monkey comes from is a total mystery. A 6/10.