Went Speed Racer, Went

[lavahot]

So I went to go see Speed Racer tonight, and I'm disappointed by the guys review. The Movie wasn't as good as Dan and Jeff said, and wasn't as bad as Alex said. The first act was awesome, lots of character development, great story, awesome driving. Second Act, pretty lame. Lots of action, but very little in the way of motivation. It just barely pulled it out in the end. I think the movie would have been MUCH better if I had taken just a few hits off of a doobie.

[eaasness]

Here is my opinion of the movie. It was ok just ok. To me it was not real enough or not cartoony enough. It did look pretty though.

[aerodash84]

My opinion was a bit like Alex's but I may have liked it a bit more then he did. Like I posted on one of the other Speed Racer threads, I think I would have liked it more if it hadn't come out in Summer against mainly Iron Man the week before.

[ghostbeezy]

I think my feel of it, it was a lil too smarmy. Iron man and Narnia, Batman, and Indy sets expectations very high, and you better show up to the bar.

It's like Shamalamadingdong syndrome. After Sixth Sense we all expect gold. If this is your "next" after the matrix... but.. we really have to compare this to the LAST matrix.. and well.. it's better than it?

[njshadow]

It's like Shamalamadingdong syndrome. After Sixth Sense we all expect gold. If this is your "next" after the matrix... but.. we really have to compare this to the LAST matrix.. and well.. it's better than it?

I just added points to your rep. for using the "word" Shamalamadingdong. :D:D:D:D

[gi_josh]

Sorry folks, but I'm with Jeff and Dan here. I LOVED this flick. All the stuff I though I'd hate, like Chim Chim and the little brother's shenanigans and the ninja, etc. I bought hook line and sinker. This film just had such a charm to it for me. I was laughing out loud, I was gasping during the racing, I really felt the dramatic scenes....great movie.

[rabidbadger]

not into the movie, never even watched the cartoon when it was brand new, but totally loving the title of this thread.

[lavahot]

not into the movie, never even watched the cartoon when it was brand new, but totally loving the title of this thread.

... How old are you to choose NOT to watch it when it originally aired?

[rabidbadger]

I was about five when it came out. my older brother watched it, but I kept fighting him to switch the channel to Leave it to Beaver. oh. and no remotes back then. that give you a clue to my age?

[lavahot]

I was about five when it came out. my older brother watched it, but I kept fighting him to switch the channel to Leave it to Beaver. oh. and no remotes back then. that give you a clue to my age?

I think you might be older then my dad...
54?

[rabidbadger]

haha. 44. but 12 forever.

was raised in Australia. we got everything ten years late back then.

[ghostbeezy]

I used to live in asia, and I remember it was the shit. Because we'd get.. shit up to like.. years late, so you'd totally be into some show thats already over in america.

I feel for you, Rabid.

[tsmith15]

I never watched any speed racer-era cartoons, and I enjoyed the movie. Is there something wrong with me?

[ghostbeezy]

I never watched any speed racer-era cartoons, and I enjoyed the movie. Is there something wrong with me?

Negatory, but i think it helps some. No one ever said... speed wasn't true to the cartoon.

[lavahot]

SPOILERS!!!!!







The biggest part that sticks out in my mind a little under 24 hours later is when Rex says that it's his mistake to deal with after the inspector asks him about deceiving his family. That, I think, solely relies on Matt Fox's acting ability, as it was extremely reminiscent of Jack.

[razor1138]

Saw the movie Friday night at my local cheap-ie theater. Turns out, I paid $3 to see a monkey throw poop at a guys face...what a rip-off. The first like 30min was VERY forgettable and comatose inducing (that prob wont make sense). I take that back, the movie was worth the $3, b/c I got to see the new Dark Knight trailer.

[tsmith15]

SPOILERS!!!!!







The biggest part that sticks out in my mind a little under 24 hours later is when Rex says that it's his mistake to deal with after the inspector asks him about deceiving his family. That, I think, solely relies on Matt Fox's acting ability, as it was extremely reminiscent of Jack.

Also, a la Lost, there was a moment where one of the characters said "don't tell me what I can't do!" and I chuckled.

[lavahot]

Saw the movie Friday night at my local cheap-ie theater. Turns out, I paid $3 to see a monkey throw poop at a guys face...what a rip-off. The first like 30min was VERY forgettable and comatose inducing (that prob wont make sense). I take that back, the movie was worth the $3, b/c I got to see the new Dark Knight trailer.

I thought the first act was the best part of the movie. The second act was where it lost me...

[cool8man]

Sorry folks, but I'm with Jeff and Dan here. I LOVED this flick. All the stuff I though I'd hate, like Chim Chim and the little brother's shenanigans and the ninja, etc. I bought hook line and sinker. This film just had such a charm to it for me. I was laughing out loud, I was gasping during the racing, I really felt the dramatic scenes....great movie.

This movie has the exact opposite of charm. Watching Speed Racer is like having someone fart in your face.

The only thing worth laughing at was the horrible acting and bad green screen/CG in this movie. I seriously hated nearly every actor in the movie. Racer X and Sprittle were the only ones who seemed faithful to the show. Unfortunately Racer-X also looked like a total goober in that lame outfit and they over did it with the Sprittle humor.

I think my feel of it, it was a lil too smarmy. Iron man and Narnia, Batman, and Indy sets expectations very high, and you better show up to the bar.

It's like Shamalamadingdong syndrome. After Sixth Sense we all expect gold. If this is your "next" after the matrix... but.. we really have to compare this to the LAST matrix.. and well.. it's better than it?

Yes I had high expectations for the Wachowski's follow up to The Matrix, if you consider not expecting them to make a juvenile movie for 5-year olds "high expectations." I didn't expect Speed Racer to be better than the Matrix, but I certainly never expected them to direct a kiddie flick. These directors are definitely in the dog house with M.Night. Lady in the Water was a pretty huge disgrace as well. I would certainly think twice about ever referring to any of these guys as good directors now.

[bredrenisedp]

This movie has the exact opposite of charm. Watching Speed Racer is like having someone fart in your face.

Sir...you are a genius!

Speed racer for me was shite on a stick

[stubadub]

Wow, two different threads, two different takes. I thought most of the board was in agreement about the ass that was kicked by this film. Turns out that isn't the case.

I adored this film soooooooo much more than I anticipated. I will pay to see it again on the big screen before I buy it on Blu-Ray. I might not be so quick to buy it, but I know my kid will love watching it in another year or two.

[tsmith15]

Yes I had high expectations for the Wachowski's follow up to The Matrix.
Didn't they do V for Vendetta in between Matrix and Speed Racer?

[stubadub]

Didn't they do V for Vendetta in between Matrix and Speed Racer?

They produced it. James McTeigue directed it. There has been some speculation that they pulled a Spielberg and directed much of it without credit, but I haven't seen anything that makes that certain beyond a shadow of a doubt.

[auggnation]

So I went to go see Speed Racer tonight, and I'm disappointed by the guys review. The Movie wasn't as good as Dan and Jeff said, and wasn't as bad as Alex said. The first act was awesome, lots of character development, great story, awesome driving. Second Act, pretty lame. Lots of action, but very little in the way of motivation. It just barely pulled it out in the end. I think the movie would have been MUCH better if I had taken just a few hits off of a doobie.

I some what agree. I went in expecting nothing and realized it was good. It's not a "blockbuster." But it's enjoy able. I actually feel it's 2 movies in one. But I did enjoy it. I thought the action was good. Alex was way off in my opinion.

[gi_josh]

The only thing worth laughing at was the horrible acting and bad green screen/CG in this movie.


I think you are confusing the words horrible and bad with style and aesthetic...we all know that green screen can look photorealistic these days...but they clearly weren't taking that route. They wanted the whole "humans in a cartoon" vibe, and they hit the freakin' nail on the head.

And the acting was good, but they kept it just hammy enough to feel cartoony and saturday morning, while keeping you in the action.

The things you criticize here are stylistic choices. Its fine if you don't like them, but I don't think its fair to say "bad".

Oh, and if you think something as awesome as speed racer is like getting farted on in the face, then I've got a big one built up just for you... :)

[stubadub]

I think you are confusing the words horrible and bad with style and aesthetic...we all know that green screen can look photorealistic these days...but they clearly weren't taking that route. They wanted the whole "humans in a cartoon" vibe, and they hit the freakin' nail on the head.

And the acting was good, but they kept it just hammy enough to feel cartoony and saturday morning, while keeping you in the action.

The things you criticize here are stylistic choices. Its fine if you don't like them, but I don't think its fair to say "bad".

Oh, and if you think something as awesome as speed racer is like getting farted on in the face, then I've got a big one built up just for you... :)

what he said

[lavahot]

I think you are confusing the words horrible and bad with style and aesthetic...we all know that green screen can look photorealistic these days...but they clearly weren't taking that route. They wanted the whole "humans in a cartoon" vibe, and they hit the freakin' nail on the head.

And the acting was good, but they kept it just hammy enough to feel cartoony and saturday morning, while keeping you in the action.

The things you criticize here are stylistic choices. Its fine if you don't like them, but I don't think its fair to say "bad".

Oh, and if you think something as awesome as speed racer is like getting farted on in the face, then I've got a big one built up just for you... :)

I agree, but it wasn't any of these things that made the second act bad for me. I just didn't understand why we had to go and do a race.

[s1lentslayer]

The first half I thought was okay, but I fell asleep during the second half because it was so boring. It was at least 30 minutes too long. I never watched the original cartoon.

[dannyt]

I think you are confusing the words horrible and bad with style and aesthetic...we all know that green screen can look photorealistic these days...but they clearly weren't taking that route. They wanted the whole "humans in a cartoon" vibe, and they hit the freakin' nail on the head.

And the acting was good, but they kept it just hammy enough to feel cartoony and saturday morning, while keeping you in the action.

The things you criticize here are stylistic choices. Its fine if you don't like them, but I don't think its fair to say "bad".

Oh, and if you think something as awesome as speed racer is like getting farted on in the face, then I've got a big one built up just for you... :)

THANK YOU so much for articulating that the way you did...EXCELLENT SIR, excellent...

d

[blacksymbiote]

Wow, well put and high praise from Dan himself. Good work.

[gi_josh]

Wow, I feel like I've won some Totally Rad debate award now, haha. Thanks for agreeing guys :)

[gi_josh]

I agree, but it wasn't any of these things that made the second act bad for me. I just didn't understand why we had to go and do a race.

I can see where you are coming from here. While talking with my friend afterward, we both agreed that before the Grand Prix, we assumed the film was going to end, and when the chick came with the invite, I was SURE that the Prix would be for Speed Racer 2....my friend and I were both glad we got to see it, and got closure, but different strokes for different folks I guess.

Plus, there was NO WAY I was turning down more of that awesome racing action :)

[lavahot]

I can see where you are coming from here. While talking with my friend afterward, we both agreed that before the Grand Prix, we assumed the film was going to end, and when the chick came with the invite, I was SURE that the Prix would be for Speed Racer 2....my friend and I were both glad we got to see it, and got closure, but different strokes for different folks I guess.

Plus, there was NO WAY I was turning down more of that awesome racing action :)

Yeah, I was kinda thinking that something would prevent Speed from winning the something something classic and he wouldn't be able to enter the Prix. It came up, I guess I just didn't think it was a compelling twist. There was also a point where I got used to the visual effects, and it was no longer amazing.

I should also say that I saw this movie at 10 at night. It might be better if i watched movies earlier in the day, but i don't have that leisure.

[johnnysix]

OMG!!! I saw Speed Racer last night and absolutely loved it!!!
It's definately one of the best movies I've seen this year. Agree totally with Jeff and Dan on this one. I loved every single thing about it.