It's funny how timing can make or break a movie. When Speed Racer arrived in 2008, anime was certainly in the ascendancy, but still nowhere near as popular and ubiquitous as it is today. The Wachowski's were incredibly faithful to Tatsuo Yoshida's source material from 1967 (Mach GoGoGo), but that was both a blessing and a curse. The film's primary colours, cheeky direction and winks to camera were seen as being cheesy and even puerile at the time, but in a modern light, it's refreshingly upbeat and full of timeless family values.
Roger Allam replicates his machine-gun monologues from V for Vendetta and steals every scene he's in.
It's been a long time since I've watched the film. I wasn't blown away at the time, but I appreciated the clear amount of love that had been poured into it by the production team. Plus it starred a deliciously devilish Roger Allam hamming it up in the best way possible, still sounding like Stephen Fry's favourite uncle (and if you enjoy his performance here then you really must listen to Cabin Pressure, the Radio 4 comedy that also starred Benedict Cumberbatch).
The film centers around the Racer family, notably Speed Racer, younger brother of the legendary Rex Racer, his parents "Pops" and Mom, plus the obligatory child touchstone character Spritel Racer and his chimp accomplice, Chim Chim. Following Rex's death during a race, Speed has vowed to keep his brother's legacy alive by driving for the family garage in the Mach 5. becoming so talented that billionaire industrialist Royalton tries to recruit him. Deciding to stay independent, Speed is thrust into a world of corporate espionage and dirty racing as he tries to bring it all crashing down with the help of the mysterious "Racer X".
A young Speed imagines driving a race while sitting an exam
Today, the film actually presents far better than it did at the time. I attribute at least some of this to the film's tone not being far tonally from the incredibly successful Netflix adaptation of One Piece; rather than being embarrassed by the excesses of the source material, it's embraced, wholesale. The hammy dialogue, cartoonish green-screen backgrounds and cheesy humour all merge into a world that, while not believable, is still incredibly inviting. Audiences now seem more prepared to leave gritty reality to one side if it allows for pleasurable escapism.
Spritle and Chim Chim in matching PJ's get immersed in a TV show
A few examples; a young Speed Racer is sitting an exam and reading a math problem, which as the screen pans down the script shows the paragraphs reading to "blah blah blah" to show Speed's state of mind. When Spritler Racer and his pet monkey Chim Chim are watching a martial arts show, they's suddenly playing the roles. I also loved that Spritle wore PJ's with monkey faces while Chim Chim wore a matching set with human faces. It's stupid but in context it just works wonderfully. I could rattle off my favourite scenes one by one, but even the background details are often hilarious - as Roger Allam's Royalton is showing the Racer family around his complex like a smarmy Willy Wonka, an athlete is hanging from a pair of fitness rings, but he's only using one of them and is still hanging as if using both - see below because it's hard to explain but absolutely wonderful visual humour:
How is this guy using one gym hoop?! Wonderfully daft. (Captured from the Blu Ray, the 4K is much sharper!)
The one weakness that remains is the actual racing, which is as weightless and CGI as it was in 2008. The actors race around 180 degree turns without even bothering to lean into them, just sliding around while the green-screen camera swirls around them. The gadgets in the cars, "safety bubbles" and even the arenas are clearly very fake, but it's the style of the film that ultimately saves it, keeping things charming rather than cheap. The huge enthusiasm of the varied race commentators also boosts the adrenaline - even if what we're watching looks like a Hot Wheels commercial at times, they give their all to make it seem like the most exciting thing on Earth next to The Rapture.
The commentators go nuts and it's fantastic!
It's also blessed with an unusually good cast - I've raved about Roger Allam already, but John Goodman gives a suitably gruff performance as Pops, Christina Ricci as love interest Trixie gets plenty to do and Emile Hirsch as Speed radiates the right amount charm and enthusiasm to be a cartoon teenager. Making the most of his material is Japanese legend Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, Bullet Train, John Wick) who just radiates cool the second he's on screen. With everyone around him dialling it up to 11 on the ham-o-meter, his laid back and reserved chill really stands out. Susan Sarandon, Kick Curry and John Benfield all provide sweetness, cluelessness and menace respectively. Add in Richard Roundtree (Shaft) as a veteran racer and you have a dream cast mixed together in material you would think would be well beneath them, but their presence elevates the film.
Even the bit players, the other racers on the track, get their moments - when they're being bribed to target Speed you see them engaged in various indulgences, all bribed with money, diamonds and even furs. It's so deliciously stupid and probably my favourite set of scenes in the film (or at least those without Allam).
All the design elements and costumes are also wonderfully realised. Christian Oliver's character is "Snake Oiler" so of course everything from his outfit to his car are snake themed. Speed appears in his classic cartoon blue vest and scarf and the Mach 5 looks sleek and aggressive. They really put the work in.
Speed in his classic outfit
And in 4k this all looks stunning. The colours pop even harder, every line is crisp and you really get the feeling of being there. Honestly this is one of the best 4K releases I've ever seen, possibly due to the eye-popping colours. It's such a vibrant transfer at 2160p with amazing Atmos sound which further enhances the engagement - it's crisp, loud and has a rumbling deep-end that perfectly suits all those growling engines.
In truth, we're long overdue a new family-friendly film withe the vitality of Speed Racer. Until then, this film has aged considerably well - it's the sort of daft fare I can enjoy with my daughter, who loves Chim Chim and wants to play Mario Kart as soon as the film ends. It may have arrived at the wrong time, but it has the right ingredients in terms of stars, wit, energy and verve. Well worth another look if you missed it the first time.
Of course, if you are a fan, then the addition of the previous extras, plus the brand new Fast | Future | Family: Speed Racer Revisited features a fascinating interview with the Wachowski's on how the film came together.
As a package it's technically superb, as a film it's the perfect chance to relive the wit and wonder from directors at the height of their powers paying loving homage to a Japanese classic.
Go go Speed Racer indeed.
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