Speed Racer
Speed Racer is the given name for one of the characters in this screen adaptation of a Japanese anime TV series that originated in 1967. Ostensibly he is the star but with Paulie Litt deliberately overacting as younger brother Spritle, he’s constantly upstaged in what looks like an over ambitious attempt to assure a PG rating. Into the Wild star Emile Hirsch plays Speed and Christina Ricci convincingly plays a much younger woman, his childhood sweetheart Trixie. Together they try to win the road race that claimed the life of Speed’s idolized older brother. Speed comes from a long line of racing enthusiasts that include his father played by John Goodman (noticeably absent from the silver screen of late) whose married to Susan Sarandon looking radiant and here taking one of her respites from beefier roles. Speed gets in a jam because of his decision to snub a lucrative endorsement deal from Roger Allam playing the industrialist Royalton to oily perfection and winning the perilous race is his only way out. It also sets him up to strike a blow against tyranny and corporate corruption, not to mention clean up the world of Grand Prix racing. Outside of the big name US stars and mandatory Asian cast most of the actors are British so be prepared for close-ups of some very bad teeth. The CGI is a relentless barrage of glorious pastels but Speed Racer could stand to cross the finish line about 20 minutes faster.