Aviva Press

By Maria Esteves - May 2, 2008

SPEED RACER, directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski (brothers) is an outstanding action packed computer animated film based on the 1960's young race car driver cartoon series I grew up watching every day after school on television. The film depicts Speed (Emile Hirsch) aspiration of becoming a Race Car Champion by entering The Thunderhead Raceway, Casa Cristo Classic 5000, and the Grand Prix XCI. Technically speaking, the special effects are breathtaking. It's an excellent family film.

In 1967, Japanese anime (animation) film MACH GOGOGO, directed by Hiroshi Sasagawa, English version was a successful after school cartoon TV series in the U.S. called SPEED RACER. The lyrics in the last stance of Speed Racer original song sums up the Wachowski brothers film, "He's off and flying, as he guns the car around the track, He's jamming down the pedal, like he's never coming back, Adventure's waiting just ahead. Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, GO!"

SPEED RACER, directed by Wachowski Brothers | USA | 2008 | 129 min. | English | released by Warner Bros. Pictures, is Closing Night Gala Presentation Film at 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, Saturday, May 3rd, opens nationwide on Friday, May 9th.