by Larry Richman
May 8, 2008 4:39 PM

The official Closing Night Gala of the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival was the World Premiere of Speed Racer, brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski's long-awaited big screen adaptation of the classic 60s cartoon. Directing from their own script, The Wachowski Brothers (as they are officially credited) have crafted a mind-numbing, stomach-turning experience which rivals those of the best theme parks in the world.

Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog, Into the Wild) takes on the title role of the iconic bad boy behind the wheel. Speed Racer's life has been shaped by the legacy of his older brother Rex and the guiding hand of his parents (John Goodman and Susan Sarandon). Pops runs a racing business and it's the only life Speed has ever known. Following in his brother's footsteps, making a name for himself, and fighting corruption in the business all bring Speed to a final showdown which will turn the racing world upside down, literally. With girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), and Spritle's trusted chimp Chim Chim by his side, he will cross paths with rival Racer X (Matthew Fox) and the diabolically twisted corporate mogul Royalton (Roger Allam) in ways he never imagined.

Shot almost entirely using green screen, the performers rarely saw the settings in which they were acting and often didn't even interact with the other actors in their own scenes. That's quite daunting and all are to be saluted for rising to the challenge.

Emile Hirsch is unsurpassed in all his work but almost seems out of place here. There is something jarring about a moving dramatic performance surrounded by cartoonish characters and settings. Still, the story, such as it is, would not be nearly as effective without his infusion of life into Speed. Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox likewise give it all they've got. Litt steals the show with every scene he's in and was an audience favorite -- the kids will absolutely adore him. Allam also surprises here, turning in a deliciously decadent Austin Powers-like performance which was perfectly in tune with the tone of the film. But the acting, however on point, is secondary to the action here.

Production values, lighting, cinematography, and other technical aspects are somewhat moot as the film is really a CGI-based animated adventure more than a filmed narrative. There is no lighting or camerawork to speak of, per se. The apparent look, however, is lush and vibrant with bright pre-school colors and virtually continuous motion.

Despite it's star-studded cast, Speed Racer might as well be an animated film which happens to have live people in the picture. But it is a nonstop thrill ride from opening title to closing credits. Rarely have I seen a film with such continuous action -- it literally leaves the viewer breathless at times. It's often difficult to follow that action, however, as it's mostly animated with such a rapid-fire pace and sense of relentless motion that the onscreen images simply become a blur. But it's a true family-oriented film that both adults and kids will enjoy, and not a bad way to spend two hours on a weekend afternoon. Just be careful driving out of the parking lot.