“Speed Racer” Trailer Now Online!

I posted the first pics from the upcoming live-action “Speed Racer” (official site) film yesterday and told you how I was finally interested in seeing what the movie was all about. The film trailer premiered last night and I was able to catch it early this morning.

After having seen it, I’m still at a loss for words as to how to describe the film technique. I think the Wachowski Brothers really have done something truly unique. The best description of the film really is “live action cartoon.” I’m still not certain if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

The colors and crispness of the shots are definitely nice. The effects, however, almost seem video game like and might be too hard to swallow in a full length film. There’s no denying that it’s interesting but it remains to be seen if the interest can be sustained over the course of an hour and a half (or however long the movie is).

There’s no use in me telling you everything. You may as well decide for yourself.

Video - “Speed Racer” Trailer:

Plot Summary:

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 idolizedâ€â€?the legendary Rex Racerâ€â€?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 secretâ€â€?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 rivalâ€â€?the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox)â€â€?to win the race that had taken his brother’s life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.

Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action “Speed Racer” will showcase the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski brothers’ films.