Proof that you don't have to change EVERYTHING for it to work.

After reading Harry's review, I am seeing this tomorrow morning.

The movie was far funnier than I expected. I usually hate both kids and monkeys in movies, but it absolutely works here. The soundtrack was awesome, also. Worst problem was a convoluted plot.

It's possible to maybe have a personal opinion about a film that differs from yours, no matter how universal and absolute your proclamations sound to your own ears.

Just a head's up. Some people will not like this film ... and they're neither "closed-minded," mentally defective, anorexic, bolemic, an amputee, or a Vietnam war vet.

So many options!

Well, three. Though I suppose we could throw in a "none of the above. Four, then.

Also:

1. The second sentence isn't really a question, meaning there was no reason for the question mark at the end of it.

2. "So many options!" is an incomplete sentence.

3. The penultimate sentence begins with an unnecessary "Though."

Get your shit together, idonotseekabanning!

Get *your* shit together, idonotseekabanning!

Anyways there is a live action Death Note movie out there? What is that all about, anyone?

I remember I had to drag a group of friends at gunpoint into the opening day of Iron Giant when they all wanted to go see Sixth Sense. They were bitching and moaning the whole first two minutes until they shut up and 90 minutes later, they were in tears (some of them), while one or two held their stance that we should have seen Sixth Sense. Iron Giant still bombed (I think less than 30 mil tops), but it's now become a cult classic and looks where Brad Bird is now. Sometimes, it's best to go against one's better instincts, lest you live all your life in a cage. That group of friends have me to thank for forcing them to see Iron Giant that day, because there's nothing like seeing that film on a multiplex screen with surround sound.

I'm hoping for that same experience with Speed Racer. We'll see.

Thank God it flopped, though; its time to send the Wachowskis off into the sunset with a Fuck You and Have a Nice Day (and thanks for the Matrix before you remembered you were no-talent hacks).

Also, SR means nothing to me as I never watched the cartoon so this flick means very little to me. I'll see it, but I doubt I'll enjoy it past the impressive images. I sense that most of those who think it sucked are either bandwagon-jumpers or are like me, not fans of the anime.

"SPEED RACER is a blindingly awesome pop art masterpiece of psychedelic insanity infused with nostalgia and love for the original show" - man, laserpants, you should write blurbs. That's a great description of the movie.

I freakin' loved the experience of watching Speed Racer. When I was a pretty young kid, my 3 favorite shows were Batman (the Adam West classic), The Monkees, and Speed Racer, so I guess I had psychedelic leanings back then. To be honest, I can't remember a thing about the show, but it's in my subconscious. I agree that Wachowski's Speed Racer is a tough sell. People who would normally be drawn to a family film would definitely steer clear (no pun intended) of the visual onslaught. But this movie was clearly made by people with a deep love for the original show, for anime, and for pop culture in general. And I really think they have a more intimate knowledge of the mind and desires of the pre-pubescent young male mind than any 'family film' I've seen in years, maybe since E.T. Like someone else mentioned here, after the movie was over (I saw it in IMAX), I saw a young boy literally dancing in the aisles during the credit sequence. That's what it's all about. Harry's exactly right. If you can't dream like you're a young kid again, you won't like this movie. I loved how well the film created a live-action cartoon, better than any previous attempt I've seen. I love how the climax of the film had Speed realize his true reason for racing, and it was a transcendent moment of pure ecstasy and bliss, like Neo seeing the Matrix, like Hugh Jackman's character reaching that level of higher knowledge in The Fountain, like Dave looking inside the monolith (and yes, I get the 2001 comparison. It's not a style or necessarily quality thing, but a thematic thing). I just feel that the Wachowski's captured something truly ineffable onscreen. I think it's a religious movie for kids, the kind of spirituality that only a childlike mind would truly be able to access.

I do think that it's probably difficult viewing for some people. After I went to bed, I couldn't stop dreaming and seeing images in my head (kinda like tripping for real). My stepson also told me that he, too, couldn't stop dreaming that night, which is unusual for him. So the movie does something to your brain, I think. Acid for kiddies!

And, oh yeah, Matthew Fox rocks. He needs to be a superhero. Recast Cyclops or Daredevil now!

well, the orgasm wasn't as intense but at least you don't have to throw up as much.

1. Speed Racer may not be a critical or financial success right now, but aesthetically, it succeeds with flying colors. Literally.

2. The Wachowski Nutjobs took the Speed Racer concept and mixed it with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life","TRON", Brian DePalma/Martin Scorsese film trickery, Little Orphan Annie, Japanime, 60's Japanese cinema, Bruce Lee movies, Tex Avery cartoons, state of the art CGI, and special sauce to create the ultra-kinetic nostalgic post-modern wacky insane heartfelt goodness currently playing at a theater near you.

2. It experiments cinematically. It takes risks. It dares to boldly go where no movie has gone before. "Child-drawn" animation and b&w newsreel footage in the same movie? Crazy! And the scene/shot transitions make the ones in Ang Lee's Hulk look like baby food. Does the experimentation work? For me, it does. I like how the film didn't let me settle into a particular gear, but kept shifting on me, keeping me off balance. I wasn't sure if I was going to get Speed Racer seriousness or Spritle/ChimChim goofiness from one moment to the next! Way to take the viewer out of his/her comfort zone and keep them on the edge whether they like it or not!

3. Beneath the digital slickness, the flash, the dazzle, the virtual hyperreality, Speed Racer does indeed have heart, that is, emotional depth. You do feel the love the Racer family members have for each other, the regret of Racer X. And in the end, you know Speed Racer races because racing is in his blood, that when he is behind the wheel of a car, he's a freaking demon! Admittedly, I did lose a little emotional connection during the longer expositories at the film's beginning, but the ending made up for that in spades.

4. The ending. I have probably just seen the nearest cinematic equivalent to one's first orgasm ever put to screen. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised if that's how the Wachowski Nutjobs directed the digital animators and the editors to create this amazing sequence that is the Grand Prix race. Orgasm. Not just any orgasm, but the first one. Like a virgin. At the end of it, I was nearly as breathless as Speed.

5. Speed Racer is a trilogy rolled into one film. Actually, the film is two films. Like back to back episodes of the old cartoon comprising a larger story arc. The first one ends with the Casa Cristo race. The second one begins with the Grand Prix, actually with Speed racing around the Thunderhead alone in self-pity. I think the Wachowskis might have helped their cause if they even literally divided the film into these two episodes, just like the old cartoon.

6. "Get that weak shit off my track!" What a great line. Much better than "I drink your milkshake."

7. A great cast. The kid playing Spritle even looks like John Goodman. Emile brings the intensity. Matt Fox brings the coolness. Susan Sarandon brings the MILFness. Ms. Ricci brings the same weird hotness she's brought to everything I've seen her in since Buffalo 66. The dude playing Sparky is a good odd man out. And John Goodman is a great reliable anchor for this motley crew. Oh, ChimChim was great, too. Can't go wrong cinematically with monkeys. It's a rule.

8. Nice fitting musical score that incorporates the original theme song brilliantly and seams with the movie well.

9. The ending credit sequence is maybe the best ending credit sequence ever.

I'm not going to call "Speed Racer" cinematic genius. How about cinematic brilliance? And how brilliant it is...and colorful...