Speed Racer [Blu-ray] [2008]
![Speed Racer [Blu-ray] [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hk5A2m%2BUL._SL160_.jpg) RRP £26.99 Lowest New Price £13.25 
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Parental Guidance Warner Home Video Release date: Monday 10th of November 2008 Starring: Director(s): Format: PAL, Running time: 135 minutes |
RRP: £26.99
Editorial
Product Description
Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci, John Goodman
The Ultimate Blu-Ray
Review date: 2009-01-07 Rating: 10 out of 10
If ever there was a movie to show off Blu Ray, this is it.
The film is apparently based on an old Japanese TV show that made it to the west. I dont remember it at all. It's about a family called Racer and the son is called Speed, hence Speed Racer. It's also a film about very fast race cars, but dont think of Silverstone, think more of your old toy TCR race cars with loops, twists and perhaps the occasional concealed weapon.
It's a pretty basic story from The Wachowski brothers involving race fixing and the small Racer family against "The Man".
The cast are excellent: Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci, John Goodman all looking like they're enjoying themselves playing larger than life characters. There's even a chimp in clothes and Ninjas. What more do you want from a popcorn flick!
The races though! Absolutely stunning. The colours! The neon! Just incredible and beautiful scenes. It really is a stunning showcase film for how good Blu Ray is.
I have seen a bit of controversey with the American version not having decent audio, but I bought British and it's all good.
Reviews
Misunderstood Brilliance
Review date: 2008-12-28 Rating: 10 out of 10
There is something about the Wachowski Brothers that film critics, and much of the general public, simply don't get. We have already seen how their brilliant Matrix sequels were panned by critics - largely on the grounds that these people simply didn't understand them - and now we're seeing the same thing with Speed Racer, which is being subjected to some of the most undeserved vitriol from critics that I have ever seen.
I loved this movie. It's not perfect, and it's not a work of genius like the Matrix trilogy was, but it's yet another example of how these two brothers attempt to push the boundaries of film-making. The editing - including the floating wipes and non-linear narrative - are top-notch. As one online reviewer put it, the Wachowskis have managed to transcend the boundaries of time and space in this movie. Not only have they achieved shots in which we are looking at two different things happening in two different places at the same time, they are also able to move us back and forward through time with effortless ease, and without disrupting the flow of the story.
If you're an idiot bent on hating Speed Racer no matter what, though, it's likely that the complex, visual style of storytelling on display here will befuddle you beyond redemption. I read with amazement, for example, the amount of people who found the opening sequence, during which we see scenes of one of Speed's races interspersed with his back-story told through flashbacks, completely bewildering. And yet the storytelling couldn't BE any clearer, in reality. I even shook my head in dismay as I read the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw claim that in the film, cars go through other cars "like ghosts". No one who understood the film (and thus was worthy of reviewing it) could have made such a simplistic, embarrassing assertion.
Anyway, this is in fact a brilliant film. Ignore all the reviewers' tropes about "over-reliance on special effects", "style over substance", "no characterisation or soul", etc. All of these criticisms miss the mark at a basic level. Watch it free of the shackles of prejudice and prepare to be blown away by a tour de force in imaginative, visual film-making. I certainly was.
Besides, the film has a chimp in a hard hat, riding a buggy while rockin' out to Freebird. Need I give it any higher an endorsement?
Outstanding picture, very enjoyable movie
Review date: 2008-12-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
First of all, if you have a Blu-ray player, you should make it your business to own this disc. It's a fantastic example of what HD should look like. The whole thing looks awesome, but some of the racing scenes are astonishing. The film is as close to a live action anime you're ever likely to see and it has visual flourishes you'll never have seen before, unsurprising given the visionaries at the helm of this movie.
I am a big fan of the Wachowski brothers previous work, and since they wanted to make a film their nephews and nieces could see, this proves to be a more family friendly movie. It's a movie that has heart and for me, it hits all the right notes. Emile Hirsch is a great actor, and although this isn't the most demanding role he's had to play, he is spot on in his performance, as are the rest of the cast, including Matthew Fox, John Goodman and Susan Sarandon. It has flaws, but you'll be hard pressed to be annoyed at a movie this heart-warming.
It's definitely worth picking up for its looks alone, but you'll be surprised at the beating heart at the centre of the movie. Thoroughly recommended.
Best picture on Blu-Ray yet
Review date: 2008-11-30 Rating: 8 out of 10
I`ve just bought my first blu-ray player and thougt this movie would be a good test of quality of the media. Thankfully I was`nt disappointed, the picture is astonishing throughout with nearly every scene awash with amazing colour and vibrancy. It really does need to be seen to be believed. As I don`t have a surround sound system for my player yet I can`t comment on the sound.
As for the film itself, its a very enyoyable film for all the family with a decent plot and acting from some big names and at 2hrs15mins never feels overlong, mostly down to the visuals I think though.
Well worth added to your collection especially in the 3 for 2 Amazon have on at the moment.
No HD Audio!
Review date: 2008-09-10 Rating: 6 out of 10
I have the US import and it is a good film looks great but only Dolby Digital @ 640kbs come on WB what are you playing at! Unless you really want this film I suggest boycotting this disc WB can not be allowed to produce Blu Rays without high resolution audio!!!!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
John Goodman
Emile Hirsch
Susan Sarandon
Christina Ricci
Matthew Fox
Creators:
Emile Hirsch (Primary Contributor)
Susan Sarandon (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900176453
Binding: Blu-ray
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-11-10
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 135 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2008
Tech info, cast and quotes/trivia when available. Exclusions may apply with free delivery. Price and availabiltity subject to change
