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Trailer Blazer: 'Speed Racer'

Dec 7, 2007, 02:31 PM | by Marc Bernardin

Categories: Advance Advancement, Film, I'm Just a Geek, Movie Trailers

Honest to Murgatroid, I'm not sure what to make of this:

On the one hand, the Wachowskis seem to have rebottled that Matrix lightning. Much like The Matrix looked like a comic-book come to life, Speed Racer really looks like the live-action version of a Japanese cartoon. The question remains, though: Is that a good thing? Not sure, but I can tell you this much--any movie with a kid and a monkey pointing at each other from the trunk of a car doesn't bode well.

(Also, something about this reminds me of an Elvis movie. Especially that exchange where John Goodman, as Speed's dad, says "You think you can drive a car and change the world?" and Emile Hirsch's Speed fires back with "it's the only thing I know how to do, and I gotta do something." Just replace "drive a car" with "play a guitar," add some girls with beehives, and this might as well be Speedway.)

What say you, PopWatchers? Is this a hit of candy-colored genius or the makings of a spectacular car-wreck?

Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 04:21 AM EST

this movie is awesome and the brother story in the movie i love that part, and the speed cars i love too.

Vince Wed, May 7, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

I went to the Sneak Preview last night and I’m in the 40 something club! I was a junky when the original series was out in the 70’s and was not one bit disappointed. Great visuals and great Mach 5! John Goodman as Pops – Right on! They did a great job keeping the Original premise while keeping it fresh. BTW, my 12 year old yanked out the Speed Racer Series DVD’s when we got home so it’s safe to say it worked for him too.

Jen Fri, May 2, 2008 at 01:35 PM EST

For all of you Christina Ricci fans check her out on http://www.nonprofitshoppingmall.com and support her favorite nonprofit group RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) just by shopping at all your favorite stores and paying the normal prices.
ENJOY

Spped Racer Sun, Apr 20, 2008 at 06:48 PM EST


Throw the best Speed Racer themed party or send a Speed Racer card to all your friends and you could win:

*1st Prize: Two tickets to the premiere in Hollywood including hotel and travel
*2nd Prize: Autographed Speed Racer movie poster (2 prizes).
*3rd Prize: Two free tickets to opening weekend (5 prizes).

Start your party or send a card to all your friends today! Contestants will be judged on criteria including best party, number of rsvp's, photos/comments, creativity and theme.

Winner for the Premiere will be announced April 24th and other prizes will be given out in May. Click the “Party On” or “Cool Cards” application links below to participate.

Go! Party!
http://apps.facebook.com/partyon/CreateParty.aspx?themeId=164&mode=2

Go! Card!
http://apps.facebook.com/coolcard/CreateCard.aspx?themeId=164&mode=2


Eden Riot Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 01:52 AM EST

For everyone that is wondering about the song that begins toward the end of the clip, it's called Iron Fisted Mutha and is performed by 300 years later. Unfortunately, they only seem to do music for movie trailers and no CD (that I could find) exists.

Eden Riot Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 01:52 AM EST

For everyone that is wondering about the song that begins toward the end of the clip, it's called Iron Fisted Mutha and is performed by 300 years later. Unfortunately, they only seem to do music for movie trailers and no CD (that I could find) exists.

Manfred Powell Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 03:20 PM EST

The Wachowski Brothers breaking ground once again!

Get ready for 'Toy Story' on speed!

zvusgqeyf fdqic Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 08:18 PM EST

ofibwtjme xsfjq aymxz coaewrsqm brxj ogtsczwum jidvu http://www.cjgqzadt.jyqdbv.com

D-VO Fri, Jan 11, 2008 at 03:01 PM EST

Anyone know the songs in that trailer?

I'm a pretty serious gearhead and I'm SUPER excited for this movie just for it's entertainment appeal.

Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

Please tell me the name of that awesome song near the middle to teh end, it was INSANE

Wolf Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 05:02 PM EST

That looks like a weird movie. It would be cool if they got rid of the pink girl with glasses, the fat kid, and that annoying contract dude. By the way, what was that song?!? It was insanely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

shades Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 09:28 PM EST

what is the song at :30 and 1:17, I can’t find it anywhere, and I think this movie is going to be great. slightly cheezy, but I’ve seen much MUCH worse.

Scott Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 01:37 PM EST

If the intention was to make it look so cartoonish, then why even bother with live action? When you combine live actors with cartoon environments, it kills any sense of urgency or consequence. They shoulda just made it performance-capture like that Beowulf movie.

matchkitjohn Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 01:27 PM EST

Sometimes you just want a bucket of popcorn, shut your brain off, and just enjoy the movie.

Nathan Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 12:21 PM EST

This movie looks really stupid, similar to Shark Boy and Lava Girl and that can't be a good thing. It's not all that surprising though since the Wachowski brothers have only made one good movie in their careers out of a possible 4.

Brian Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

"I can tell you this much--any movie with a kid and a monkey pointing at each other from the trunk of a car doesn't bode well."

Um, did you ever actually WATCH the cartoon?

ward Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 08:07 AM EST

I completely disagree with Marc Bernardin. The movie looks visually amazing. While the plot may not be especially dense, it is what the cartoon was. Looks like a great, mindless, entertaining popcorn flick that I will see in the theaters.

ward Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 08:07 AM EST

I completely disagree with Marc Bernardin. The movie looks visually amazing. While the plot may not be especially dense, it is what the cartoon was. Looks like a great, mindless, entertaining popcorn flick that I will see in the theaters.

Seastone Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 09:21 PM EST

I don't know....
I LOVED Speed Racer as a kid.

I think the first Matrix film is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. The Wacko Bros know what they're doing. I have to trust them.

That being said....the trailer worries me. The dialogue and acting seem out of place and strange and the visuals seem very cartoony...and not in a good way, But maybe we're just seeing it out of context.

...I did notice that the steering wheel on the Mach 5 was all wrong!
I also did not hear the theme song in that trailer at all! The theme song was the second best part next to the car....and I didn't see alot of the car in that trailer either.

Seastone Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 09:13 PM EST

Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer he's a demon on wheels. He's a demon and he's gonna be chasin' after someone.

He's gainin' on you so you better look alive. He's busy revin' up the powerful Mach 5! And when the odds are against him and there's dangerous work to do. Well, then you know Speed Racer's gonna see it through.

GO! Speed Racer! Go! Speed Racer!
Go Speed Racer GO!

hc Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 07:22 PM EST

it looks like it can't decide between being avant garde or campy, and you don't want to be in the middle of that spectrum.

Kevin Smith Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 05:55 PM EST

F all haters. Go watch Fred Clause, something more your speed.

Steph Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 02:09 PM EST

well, I admit I don't know much about the cartoon but I'm like..at a lost with the trailer. It has a very unique style and it seems really interesting but I hope they haven't just made a 'fun' movie. I do hope there's some good dialogue going. but a few seconds into the trailer and the line about 'racing is..like..a religion' made my eyes roll. so I hope they acting is good. but so far I'm seeing this more as a movie i want to rent than go pay 5 bucks plus popcorn money to go see. even if that Emilie guy is quite..umm appealing,lol.

BlueCarp Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 10:39 AM EST

Some of you think it takes itself "too seriously." Are you kidding? They have a monkey on the pit crew. Look at John Goodman's mustache. Doesn't look too serious to me.

jj tipper Sun, Dec 9, 2007 at 09:35 AM EST

this looks like a great film from what I,v seen, but I did not grow up with speed racer, so I hope that wachowski brothers did amazing job on this film.

Kevin Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 11:33 PM EST

That looks aweful. That's a shame...I was looking forward to it. Based on the trailer, I will NOT be seeing it now.

Chim-Chim Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 09:13 PM EST

Looks like Susan Sarandon finally sold out.

Wilson Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 09:08 PM EST

Ya, never get a good feeling when one of the jokes is centered on a monkey.

RP Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 08:20 PM EST

I'm worried the movie might take itself too seriously but that could be the music they chose for the trailer. I'm with Marc Bernardin on this one.

BrandonU Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 08:18 PM EST

Oh great, it's 'The Avengers' all over again. It was neat to hear of some of Michael Giacchino's score from 'Alias,' though.

Vince Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 06:21 PM EST

I think the trailer made me a bit more excited than I was to see this movie (I originally thought this was a terrible movie idea), but it still looks way too serious for my taste. I wish it was a more cartoony parody than an anime, CGI "Fast and the Furious".

Steve Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 04:03 PM EST

Not even the Mammoth Car could stop me from seeing this movie.

Silv Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 02:11 PM EST

* sorry about the double-post - thought I'd be able to stop the first one.

Silv Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 02:11 PM EST

Speed Racer was the reason I grew up for years wanting to be a race car driver (and why I still drive with a lead foot). While I look forward to this movie I wonder just how many of us out there actually remember the cartoon? Has it been on the air regularly since the mid-70s? Is there an audience beyond my age group? By the way, I'd have cast Barry Corbin over John Goodman as Pops Racer - and I love the idea of Matthew Fox as Racer X!

Silv Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 02:09 PM EST

Speed Racer was the reason I grew up for years wanting to be a race car driver (and why I still drive with a lead foot). While I look forward to this movie I wonder just how many of us out there actually remember the cartoon? Has it been on the air regularly since the mid-70s? Is there an audience beyond my age group?

peach Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 02:08 PM EST

Looks like a first class bomb. The acting in that clip was ridiculous.

LK Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 01:30 PM EST

i used to watch the cartoon when i was younger and i can still kind of remember trixie, the monkey and racer X was a bamf..so yeah i'd def go see it - especially because of the hyper-realism of it (if thats the proper terminology to use)

Go SpeedRacer Go! (couldnt resist)

Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 11:19 AM EST

ugh...this just makes me depressed

Terry Deffenbaugh Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 10:16 AM EST

Looks like a pretty "authentic" live-action cartoon. I liked Speed Racer growing up...but c'mon...it wasn't GREAT ART then...and it looks like the Wacko Bros have maintained what integrity there was. So, take it for what it looks to be: a highly charged, innovative, retro, Japanese inspired kick in the pants for Baby Boomers and kids alike.

Mel Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 04:08 AM EST

This looks fantastic, it captures the vibrant cartoonish nature of the show perfectly and the cheesy over the top melodrama seems to be there too. This is going to be a goofy good time.

Sarah Sat, Dec 8, 2007 at 12:40 AM EST

Emile Hirsch is damn pretty and I would pay to see him in anything, even if it happened to the remake of Glitter.

On a related note, this Speed Racer trailer is a straight up hot mess.

Roon Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 10:20 PM EST

It SHOULD remind you of an Elvis movie. "Viva Las Vegas" and 007's gadget-filled Aston Martin in "Goldfinger" were Tatsuo Yoshida's inspirations for "Mach Go Go Go" (aka "SPeed Racer").

BrandonK Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 07:06 PM EST

I don't know! It looks insane! Possibly in a bad way! I think I'll go see it anyway!

KR Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 07:04 PM EST

I loved the cartoon and was very excited that it was going to become a live action movie. When I saw the trailer, my excitement was gone. It looks too colorful and crazy, like a computer pinball game. It also sadly reminded me of the chase scene at the beginning of SW: The Clone Wars, which is not a complement. The car flipping 360 degrees in the air??!!?? Just because you CAN do something with technology does not mean that you should. I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

lucydog Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 06:09 PM EST

I only recall the TV cartoon when I was really little and would be home playing sick from school. It's all vague...yet somehow this trailer brought a lot of it back. I think it looks great. And perfect casting with Matthew Fox playing Racer X.

1000Steps Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 05:56 PM EST

This looks seizure inducing lame.

1000Steps Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 05:54 PM EST

This looks seizure inducing lame.

Ceballos Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 05:51 PM EST

I agree completely with Stephanie T. The tone for this movie HAS to be silly (look at the source). Who the heck wants a "Speed Racer" movie that takes itself seriously? It would be like all the boring military stuff in "Transformers" ...namely the worst parts of that movie.

annie too Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 05:17 PM EST

Matthew Fox was at the very end, in profile. YAY Matthew Fox!!

ronaldo Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 05:03 PM EST

From my perspective: so far, so good. And I echo Janine; it's Spritle and Chim Chim for crying out loud. Remember there was always a healthy dose of melodrama in the cartoon. Action/camp; it looks to be close to right on target.

Kit Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:55 PM EST

I'm confused. How come their words match their mouth movements when they speak?

Ethan Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:50 PM EST

Been a Speed Racer fan for a long, long time ... I am SOOO there when this movie comes out.

paige Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:45 PM EST

i dont care what anybody says: this movie LOOKS super-awesome-cool!!!

Anthony Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:38 PM EST

I think this looks awful, and I'll blame it all on the special effects. Maybe it's the computer I'm watching it on, but the cars look like something out of Tron (and for people out there who like Tron, I don't mean this in a nice way). I can't believe this movie got made. And Christina Ricci with a flapper hair cut? Next summer won't be setting any box office records.

janine Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:38 PM EST

Are you folk unfamiliar with Spritle and Chim-Chim?

professor74 Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:33 PM EST

Matthew Fox is at the end. I don't know if it will be "good," but it will definitely be entertaining!

jason Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:22 PM EST

kinda reminds me of transformers. lots of action and THE WORST dialogue ever. but who goes to see a movie like this who cares about dialogue (that is NOT a cut-down, relax). i for onw will not go to see it because it looks TOO fake, but it reminds me of japanamation, and that is very surreal, so i guess they accomplished what they wanted to do.

Astro Boy Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:17 PM EST

I'm excited to see the Korean pop singer, Rain's US movie debut! He's the guy about to punch Speed. I hope he isn't the one throwing the damned ninja stars. No good ninjas...

Kate Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 04:12 PM EST

If only they had found a way to CGI their mouths to take up half their face when they talked. :) Egh...I don't even know if I'll Netflix this one. Where's Matthew Fox? :D

t3hdow Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:59 PM EST

Err...I'm not sure what to make of this (speaking as an old viewer of the original cartoon and an anime fan). It certainly looks cool and campy, but it doesn't give me goosebumps like I thought it would. I can't say it'll suck but I'll keep my expectations low.

Cliff Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:39 PM EST

Au contraire! The kid and the monkey in the trunk is the very reason I would see this. That, and a sleek, primary-colored Christina Ricci. Vroom.

Amanda Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:36 PM EST

I'm so torn by this. On one hand it looks so cool but then you see a kid, a monkey and John Goodman with that ridiculous hair and moustache and think " Oh lord, here we go again."
But I'll still probably go see it.

Chaddogg Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:25 PM EST

I think we have 2008's version of Dick Tracy. Holy bright colored motifs, Speed!

MCm Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:24 PM EST

I may be looking at this from the POV of my 9 year old son, but it looks way cool. More from my POV, it looks like a craptastic combination of camp and zongo F/X. Yeah, I'll be there.

Cam Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 03:06 PM EST

When I first heard of the idea for this movie I thought it was idiotic. But...the trailer actually made me interested, and I never even liked that cartoon.

Suzanne Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 02:55 PM EST

okay, I gotta say I'm a woman who watched speed racer in the 60s and hated the Matrix and I would go see this.

Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 02:49 PM EST

*honestly

Stephanie T. Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

The Elvis film that you thought about was 1966's "Spinout". Secondly I think that the Wachowski brothers knew that the movie had to be done campy because can you honsetly see it done in a normal fashion? I can't.

Victor Fri, Dec 7, 2007 at 02:42 PM EST

Car-wreck or not, i've been waiting for the big screen treatment of 'Speed Racer' since i was a kid.

i'm excited, haters be damned!! (sticks tongue out at them)

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