Review by Alexander McNamara
What's the story?
Straight from the pit lane of generic racing plotlines, a kid with skills wants to be the best racer there is. A corporate racing team try to buy him, he uncovers seedy plot and corruption, then must race to expose bad guys and get the girl. Along the way there are car races, chases, thrills and oodles of high-octane action.
Who's in it?
John Goodman and Susan Sarandon are the doting parents, Matthew Fox as the hunky Racer X, Christina Ricci sporting her fab new bob and new boy Emile Hirsch as the hero, Speed Racer. All of them manage to ham the whole experience up but not to its detriment as the whole film is set in some quirky, futuristic '50s throwback land. None of it really makes any sense, but then the best actor is a chimp!
What's to like?
Stunning visuals make you feel like you are either in a comic book or watching a live Manga movie. All of these thrown in at 800km/h with some of the wildest car races that make Days Of Thunder look like a merry go round.
What's not to like?
The supremely annoying Spritle will drive most mad - his on-screen moments are only bearable with the addition of a monkey.
Best bit?
Running out of the cinema making "neeeeoooowww" noises with all the kids.
Verdict
Go Speed, go!
