MPAA Rating: PG, for sequences of action, some violence and language
Genre: Action/Family
Age range: Ages 9 and up
Runtime: 135 mintes
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Roger Allam, Paulie Litt, Rain
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Release Date: May 9, 2008
Speed Racer - Movie Trailer
Speed Racer - Official Synopsis
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 tycoons who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that Speed 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.
Yet, the ultimate test of Speed Racer's true racing grit will be at the pinnacle event of the World Racing League: the Grand Prix. But standing between Speed and the checkered flag are the world's best--and most cutthroat--competitors, fueled by a million-dollar bounty from Royalton to the driver who takes Speed out once and for all.
Speed Racer - Fun Facts for Kids
Speed Racer is based on the classic 1960s cartoon series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. Interestingly, Tatsuo modeled the hero in the original series, named Speed Racer in the English version of the series, after Elvis Presley and James Bond. What a combination!
Many kids today may be interested to know that the Speed Racer cartoon series was one of the first popular anime series in America. The series first became popular in Japan and was called Mach GoGoGo. Even more exciting, in conjunction with the release of the movie, Nickelodeon is set to premiere Speed Racer: The Next Generation, a new animated series that builds on the legendary adventures of the original series. The premiere date for Speed Racer: The Next Generation is Friday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. (ET), and the premiere episode will be 90 minutes long.
