Speed Racer
Remember Saturday morning technicolor-and-sugar-induced moments of psychedelic hysteria which bordered on an orgiastic state of religious clarity? Speed Racer brought all that back to me.
It's clear that the Wachowski brothers grew up loving the same stuff I did. Most people won't get Speed Racer, and it's clear from the reviews that the critics don't, but I loved it. It's 1960's pop culture that has grown up, went through a period of existential angst, discovered western philosophy, eastern meditation, art, and sushi, had a few bad romances, and then woke up one day and realized that deep inside it really, really loved itself. This is a perfect film for people who want two hours of utter escapism and be transported into a world where the laws of physics are just slightly askew.
So grab some junk food, get really caffeinated, and prepare to spaz out.
Comments
I was this close to taking the kids on Friday, but then I read the reviews. Also, it seemed too long to sqeeze in before a ballet recital.
Anyway, is there swearing? Sometimes they'll sneak in one "f-word" as if it's no big deal. But I want none of that.
Posted by: Beverly | May 11, 2008 11:38 PM
I don't think they ever drop the f-bomb, no, but they do have a little kid flipping off someone which kind of surprised me considering how squeaky clean the rest of the movie was. Oh, and the chimpanzee throws his own excrement once, at least you are led to believe that's what it is.
Posted by: ironic1 | May 12, 2008 12:06 AM
I may be wrong, but I think the f-word earns a movie the R-rating
Posted by: Leah | May 12, 2008 5:59 AM
I was hooked on Speed Racer for a short time as a kid, but it eventually dawned on me: this show is twisted. Every episode had a lot of crashes with huge explosions and a high body count. The tv show operated on the same principle as David Cronenberg's 1996 movie "Crash," that speed and car crashes are a sexual turn-on. Great stuff to be impressing on kids. Maybe the movie cleans up that aspect, I haven't seen it yet, but it seems that would gut the tv show's main (if unhealthy) appeal.
Posted by: farglebargle | May 12, 2008 11:01 AM
Psychedelic hysteria? Orgiastic? Religious clarity? Dude, what were you watching? What, exactly was in those pop tarts?
Posted by: Leah | May 13, 2008 11:06 PM
I assume you mean the "laws of physics are slightly askew," meaning out-of-line, as opposed to "eschew," meaning to shun or avoid?
Posted by: BIL Ben | May 14, 2008 2:02 PM
"Remember Saturday morning technicolor-and-sugar-induced moments of psychedelic hysteria which bordered on an orgiastic state of religious clarity?"
No.
Posted by: BIL Ben | May 14, 2008 2:07 PM
Yep. Good eye, Ben. I was taking a different tack on that sentence at first ("to eschew the laws of physics") but then changed my mind and forgot to change the word.
Posted by: ironic1 | May 14, 2008 2:11 PM
Awww, then you are totally missing out, Ben. More's the pity.
Posted by: ironic1 | May 14, 2008 2:13 PM
Lars, I believe that's called "diabetic shock." :D
Posted by: BIL Ben | May 14, 2008 2:26 PM
And who's to say that can't be a deeply religious experience? As a child sugar was my drug of choice.
Posted by: ironic1 | May 14, 2008 2:32 PM
Lawrence, your blog is my anti-drug.
Posted by: BIL Ben | May 14, 2008 3:14 PM
I'm pleased to know that my blog makes you clear-headed and sober-minded.
Posted by: ironic1 | May 14, 2008 5:05 PM
Leah: "I think the f-word earns a movie the R-rating."
It seems to me I saw a film where this rule did not hold. (Ah, Wikipedia says the word can be used in a non-sexual sense three times before earning an "R.")
Lawrence: "I'm pleased to know that my blog makes you clear-headed and sober-minded."
So do all train wrecks.
Posted by: BIL Ben | May 15, 2008 9:15 PM