SPEED RACER

Summer must be approaching fast as the first big blockbusters of the season now hit the cinemas. The Wachowski Brothers found cinematic gold with “The Matrix” trilogy and now add their magic touch in bringing to the big screen their own version of the classic Japanese animated television series originally created by Tatsuo Yoshida. Emile Hirsch plays Speed Racer, a young idealist driver who turns down a lucrative offer to race for Royalton Industries when he realises that some of the biggest races are being fixed. He also wants to stay loyal to his father Pops Racer (John Goodman) who designed his amazing Mach 5 and whose business is now being threatened by Royalton’s megalomaniac owner (Roger Allam).  Speed decides to beat Royalton at their own game with the support of his family, his loyal girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci) and his new partner – the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox). The rules of the racing game and plot are occasionally not very clear but who cares when it is all such fun. The editing is superb and the truly amazing visual effects take the breath away. The distinguished cast relish their roles particularly Susan Sarandon as Speed’s mother and Allam as the manipulative villain.