Ok, first off, ignore the film critics on this one. This movie just seems to fly right over their heads and they just can’t stop picking out what’s wrong with movies instead of enjoying them.
Going in with the critics’ reviews and some high expectations of how the Wachowski brothers could handle something not as deep or dark as the Matrix trilogy, I was skeptical but I continually reminded myself to heed the words of those who enjoyed it simply by giving in and letting escapism take over. And man was it a blast. It’s a bunch of campy fun just made to give you some thrills; there’s no super deep intense overlying ideas, just a lot of colorful and gorgeous-looking excitement.
The artistic direction this movie took was absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking. Never have I seen a racing movie where the race itself became a work of art, an explosion of color and streaks of light, where each turn in the race became a whole new art piece and extremely intensified the tension. Even the buildings rendered in this movie were taken into account, where the graphic artists decided to add “eyes” to almost every structure in the city. The movie itself is such a beautiful art form all on its own. I can’t imagine how many visual landmarks were achieved with this film.
The cast plays the Racer family PERFECTLY; especially John Goodman as Pops, who does a damn fine job at his role. The same goes for Christina Ricci, who’s even more gorgeous in this movie as Trixie than ever before. She’s such a cutie, and even takes a shot at driving in this movie and kicks some serious ass.
The races are SO fun, you can’t help but get that awesome feeling of satisfaction when Speed takes out another driver, or comes back from getting hit. You’re with him every foot of the race, and you just want him to win so badly. Racer X is also an awesome driver, with such a cool bad-ass atmosphere around him.
The moral of the story is one already told, but this movie proves it with such determination and such drive that it was like realizing it all over again. Do something because you love it, and don’t let money, greed or power get in the way of your goals and aspirations. Enjoy it with every second, and don’t let people intimidate you into stopping.
Seeing this at the IMAX definitely gives the visual style its entire glory; so be sure to go there first if you can to see this. I’ve seen it twice and I’m coming to check it out again later today. I can’t get enough of this awesome flick.
10/10
