‘Speed Racer’ really isn’t THAT bad

Story

A young race car driver by the name of Speed Racer (no seriously that’s his name) has dreams of winning the Grand Prix and become the world champion following the death of his older brother. On the journey to the finish line with the help of his family, he finds out that the world of racing isn’t what he thought it was.

Before I talk about the story in this particular movie I do have to say that this is based on a manga and anime series of the same name from the 1960s and that says a lot for the way the story is told. That being said, the story really is one of the underdogs. Speed is trying to live up to the legacy of his brother while also showing older and more experienced racers that he is a force to be reckoned with. His family are also underdogs. They’re a small racing company that has been pit against bigger companies with more resources that will do anything to win.

When I first saw this movie, I didn’t appreciate the calibre of cast and watching it now, I was surprised at how many familiar faces are in the movie, Emile Hirsch plays the title character Speed Racer. Christina Ricci plays his girlfriend Trixie and Ariel Winter plays a younger version of her. Susan Sarandon and John Goodman play Speed’s parents Mom and Pops Racer, Matthew Fox plays the mysterious Racer X and Roger Allam plays E.P. Arnold Royalton the…