Speed Racer

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized-the legendary Rex Racer-whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill.

Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer (John Goodman), the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner (Roger Allam) but uncovers a terrible secret-some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line.

The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed teams with his one-time rival-the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)-to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.

Dove Review

“Speed Racer” promotes two vitally important values, that our families should be extremely important to us, and secondly that cheaters never prosper. It is unfortunate that the messages are sent via several violent scenes with the use of strong language, including a biblical profanity.

The movie is loaded with razzle dazzle and a lot of vivid colors and racing scenes. In fact, the special effects tend to take over in a few scenes. There are villains and heroes and a funny chimpanzee to boot. It’s an intense film, extremely so at times, and it’s unfortunate that we cannot award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to the movie. We wish it had been a bit tamer in the language and violence categories.

Dove Rating Details

Faith

None

Integrity

Cars shoved off track; cheating among drivers; man hit repeatedly and his mouth and nose is bloodied; a gun is held to man's mouth; martial arts and fighting; school yard fight; violent video game shown in a scene; exploding bomb; piranhas eat meat and then take off man's finger; guns and rifles are seen; guy on fire; bees and snakes used by drivers; Ninja fighter uses needle to give poisonous shot; a character shoots a pistol; a man thrown out of window; a monkey hits a character with a wrench.

Sex

Kissing; mild innuendo.

Language

J-1; G/OMG-7; S-1; A-4; D-1; H-1; a few comments like "retard" and "dumb" and "shorty".

Violence

Drugs

A scene of man smoking a cigar; a box of cigars given as a gift; mafia-type guy smoking; poison; drinking.

Nudity

Cleavage in a few scenes; party girl wears a costume that is very short; shirtless men; a classic painting with partial nudity seen very briefly.

Other

Older brother lets younger brother drive car; a heated argument between father and son; kid's teasing; racing referred to as more like a religion than a sport and major sponsors are the devil; a boy and chimp steal and eat candy; a boy gives an adult the finger; cheating and bribing.

More Information

Film Information

Genre

Action

Runtime

136

Rating

N/A

Reviewer

Edwin L. Carpenter

Actors

Christina Ricci, Emile Hirsch, Scott Porter, Susan Sarandon

Writers

Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

Directors

Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski

Producers

Grant Hill

Studios

Warner Brothers