Director: Lana & Andy Wachowski
Written by: Lana & Andy Wachowski, Tatsuo Yoshida
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon

Year / Country: 2008, USA, Australia, Germany
Running Time: 129 mins.

After a five year break following the completion of The Matrix series, the Wachowski’s came up with another eastern inspired visual feast. Based on the Japanese manga and anime Mach GoGoGo from the sixties, which centred on automobile racing, this is the 120 million dollar version of the sunday morning cartoon series.

The Racers are a family obsessed with racing. Pops Racer (John Goodman) is the father who builds the insane racing vehicles and his two sons drive them. The oldest son Rex Racer is the specialist racer, but after he becomes involved in a tragic scandal, his little brother Speed (Emile Hirsch) takes over. Speed learns that racing is nothing but business these days, which goes against his old family values. He takes on the corporate evil of the racing world along with his family and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox).

Speed Racer was targeted as a family film, but is probably most suitable for parking an ADD / ADHD child in front of. The hallucinogenic colour collages will drive the older generation insane, while the young ones will most likely love it. Also those who enjoy stunning visual eye candy and jaw dropping cinematography will have a great time. The movie lacks enough tension and takes a bit too long, but the enjoyable cast and breathtaking images makes this trip to the candy store still worth your time and attention.

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Biography: Lana & Andy Wachowski (1967/1965, Chicago) are famous film writers, producers and directors. Their best known work is box office smash hit The Matrix and its two sequels. They were born as Laurence ‘Larry’ Wachowski and Andrew ‘Andy’ Wachowski in Chicago. Prior to working in the film industry they wrote comic books for Marvel Comics Razorline. In 1996 they made their feature debut with the stylish thriller Bound. Three years later they made The Matrix which became the most influential science fiction film in recent history. After the release of the final ‘Matrix’ movie Larry Wachowski began appearing as a woman, using the name Lana.

Filmography: Bound (1996), The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), Speed Racer (2008)