This isn't a movie review.
Though I did love the film for its fast action and its heartfelt story. The film also proved highly original in its directing and look, and yet remained true to its anime roots in a cartoon I barely remember. Emile Hirsch was also adorable as Speed (below left), Matthew Fox was masculine and in-control as Racer X (below center), and Rain, an Asian superstar in his American film debut, was vulnerably and hunky as a racing teammate (below right).
This is about the retro-future look of the film, painted in strong, primary colors to help communicate points in the story. (Speed Racer always wears white.) Check out the scene below for the retro part.
Susan Sarandon's green and yellow dress and John Goodman's red polo shirt could be out of a sixties sitcom. The colors contrast with the brown divider cut-outs, blue walls, and tan stone of their ranch-style home. The composition screams family-friendly suburbia.
And the pic below is the future:
At least now, when they ask me, what you had in mind, I won't give my standard answer "Whatever you want."
Instead, I'll say "Speed Race, the movie."
