Some movies in life you just have to go-with-the-flow of it until you catch on to what the writers and director are shooting for. Speed Racer was that way for me...or maybe I was just slow catching on.

I liken Speed Racer to "Tron" that came out in the '80s. Tron was the newest technology for my generation when it came out. Speed Racer, with all of its computer antics, has much of the same "wow" factor for today's generation.

Going from past to present to set the tone and the plot for the movie, Speed Racer is a story of family loyalty and following the dream that lives within.

"The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer. Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops and Mom. Pops designed Speed's car, the Mach 5. The owner of Royalton Industries makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X, seeking to rescue his family's business and the racing sport itself. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com} (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811080/plotsummary)

With computer generated scenes, the story of Speed Racer can go far beyond the norm of Nascar racing. Phenomenal scenes of flipping, jumping, soaring cars will have any child oohing and ahhing over the outcome of the race.



Be sure to watch this one from the moment it starts or you could be lost in the story line.

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"Since Marvel Comics and CGI started their mystical marriage in the late 1990s, we've had superheroes galore. Hulks, Surfers, Spidermen, not to mention constantly renewed Batmans and Supermans. So what does Iron Man have to offer that's different? A flawed character that becomes honourable is the answer, triumphing in the battle of Good over Evil in spite of being a bit of a prat." (Author: Chris Docker (eyeforfilm) from Scotland, United Kingdom)

That statement is perhaps the most redeeming value I give to this movie. The beginning was unbearably slow. The action was never really built up to a high pinnacle. The bad guy was obvious. The whole movie was spelled out for you. I prefer to think about what I'm watching and see if I can find value in it for myself.

My children thought it was another great movie in the Marvel Comic line. Some watched it in theater and insisted we get it for our collection. The movie is okay for our collection, but not one I would readily recommend to friends and family.

This movie stars Robert Downey Jr, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, and Gweneth Paltrow. It is rated PG-13 for violence and implied sexuality.

The hope I have is that now the foundation of Iron Man is laid with this movie, that any others that are made using this character will pick up speed and direction. A more in-depth plot and less ground-work. The future possibilities for sequels to be better than the original is definitely in the cards.

Here is a bit of interesting trivia, not wholly related to the movie.

"Marvel and Paramount approached the CMT show 'Trick My Truck' to select a Truck driver and trick his rig with the Ultimate Ironman makeover. Lance Burk was the lucky driver to be selected. When finished the exterior of the truck was painted to look like Iron Man's armor, led lights were put everywhere, the engine compartment was tricked out, jet thrusters (not real ones obviously) were attached to the back, and a copy of Iron Man's chest plate was attached to the back under a crafted sign that said Iron Man. The inside of the truck was refurnished to look like Tony Stark's lab, complete with a monster sound and video system." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/)

Here is a more positive review for those who love this movie or want another opinion.



And to make a judgment for yourself, here is your youtube.com clip.



Return to the Neighborhood