Movie Review – Speed Racer

I used to watch the original Speed Racer anime endlessly, before that word ever entered English. I probably watched every episode a dozen times.

Speed Racer (2008) 

Overall		Story
Production		Acting

Story: A nice compilation of a number of the metaplots from the original series, with a variety of miscellaneous plot bits from a variety of episodes, and some original bits pulling the whole thing together. 

Production: Visually just stunning (if not recommended for people with epilepsy). A blend of reality and animation that makes this … well, anime with (at least a few) real things as part of the texture. I suspect we’ll see more of this in the future.

Great use of the classic music, sounds, and imagery. This is not, “How can we re-imagine Speed Racer into something different?” but “How can we make something that is Speed Racer, only more so and new?” Just what I look for from a remake.

Acting: Mmmmmm … cartoony. Nothing likely to win any Oscars — but well done for what it is. For what it’s worth, at least as good as the original.

Overall: This movie made me happy. I’m a bit sorry I didn’t see it in the theaters, but I may well pick up a copy of the DVD.