Go,Speed,go!

Adapted from the anime cartoon of the same name, "Speed Racer" is about the second son of the Racer family, Speed (Emile Hirsch). Speed is obsessed with car racing and, with the cars his father builds, becomes a professional racer- one of the fastest rising stars of the league. Backed by his close-knit family, Pops Racer (John Goodman), Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon),his loyal girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), his younger brother Spritle (Paulie Litt) and pet monkey Chim-Chim, Speed tries to win races in an effort to bring down corrupt corporations who have been fixing them for years.

Pet monkeys? Jumping cars? It all seems a bit much, but the film delivers exactly what you would expect from a "Speed Racer" movie: a two-hour cartoon. Anyone who enjoyed the old Hanna-Barbera "Wacky Races," (where Scooby-Doo would have a cross-county race against Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear) will love this movie. It brings the spirit of classic cartoons to the big screen in a way that reminds us why we liked them as kids.

In the midst of all this cartoonery, we also get some serious drama and character work from the big names in the cast, grounding this movie enough for an older audience, and bringing respectability to a film that could have gone the way of "Spy Kids." Goodman and Sarandon elevate the quality of every scene they’re in, and Hirsch rises to the challenge they pose.

The young hero proves relatable, and Hirsch even makes Speed’s trademark neckerchief look cool. The excellent casting and brilliant work of writers-directors the Wachowski Brothers makes this film much more than just a kiddie movie, and ensures a quality show for the whole family.

The visual style the Wachowski’s create is nothing short of spectacular. They have created some effects and styles that haven’t been seen before, and lend the movie a feel that is a cross between the original anime cartoon and a video game. The quick shot cuts and fast-paced visuals might prove a bit too intense to an audience not used to such things, but they serve the movie pretty well as a whole.

The candy-coated world of Speed Racer is not something to be written off or taken lightly. Anyone slightly interested in this movie should go see it, and you won’t be disappointed. Slightly juvenile and dialogue heavy, it still delivers two hours of quality fun. Another hit under Hollywood’s belt for this exciting summer season.