Movie Review - “Speed Racer”
** STARS
I am sad to announce that the first official disappointment of the summer season is here, although it doesn’t land with a thud, the distinct whimper of a so-so movie can be heard within the 2 hours of this film. The idea of a “Speed Racer” movie sounded like a great idea, but even the creators of “The Matrix” (The Wachowski Brothers) can’t muster up enough imagination to keep me on the edge of my seat with their latest outing.
If it wasn’t for the eye popping visuals, some semi-good acting (by Emille Hirsch and Matthew Fox) and the neon drenched special effects I wouldn’t be able to halfway recommend this movie at all. “Speed Racer” eventually becomes hampered by its paper thin plot and slapstick moments with Chim-Chim and Speed Racer’s annoying little brother Spritle.
I wouldn’t be surprised if young adults and teens flock to this film, it is being marketed like soda or candy, and much like those things this movie is the equivalent of junk food. Its fun to consume in the beginning, but it eventually leaves you feeling a bit empty and loaded down. It’s a shame that the visuals became the selling point and main gimmick in “Speed Racer, with a great story this could have been an exhilarating ride.
This summer is chock full of enormous films and I’d like to save you some cash by recommending that you wait to see this movie until it comes out onto DVD. If you want to be dazzled by great effects and get the full summer experience from your blockbuster’s then rush out to see “Iron Man”, because “Speed Racer” doesn’t deliver on the goods it promises.
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