May 12th: SPEED RACER (The Wachowskis, 2008)
NOTE: This film will be shown in the high-definition Blu-ray format.
A family of auto racers clash with foes both on and off the track.
Speed Racer was one of several Japanese animation series that found overseas success in the 1960s and 70s after being redubbed and edited for American audiences. Its striking visuals and memorable theme song endeared it to young viewers, and a subsequent syndication on MTV in the 1990s reached another generation.
The Wachowskis (siblings Andy and Lana) wrote comics before entering the film industry as screenwriters, and in 1996 their debut as co-directors, the lesbian noir Bound, a critical success. They secured permission from Warner Bros executives to direct their already-sold script of The Matrix, which propelled the two onto the A-list of genre filmmaking and led to two sequels an an animated spinoff.
The trilogy completed, the Wachowskis elected to change gears for their next film, with the intention of doing something more family-oriented. Warner Bros had the rights to the Speed Racer property, and efforts to produce a film adaptation had gone through numerous directors and actors, including Gus Van Sant, Alfonso Cuarón, Johnny Depp, Vince Vaughn, and J.J. Abrams. The Wachowskis were brought on to both write and direct.
With co-funding from the German government, the production took place at the legendary Babelsberg Studios outside Berlin. Still interested in pushing the technological envelope as they had done on the Matrix films, the Wachowskis worked in HD video for the first time, with the entire film shot against greenscreen for the extensive visual effects. Their cinematographer was Dave Tattersall, who had shot all three Star Wars prequels.
The cast includes Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Emile Hirsch (Into The Wild), Matthew Fox (TV's Lost) and Christina Ricci. The theme music and sound effects from the original cartoon were used in tandem with a new score from acclaimed composer Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille, Up, The Incredibles).
Despite a huge marketing campaign and extensive product licensing, the film failed to earn back its budget at the box office (opening a week after the smash hit Iron Man certainly a factor. The critical response was equally harsh, though some critics defended its unique approach.
Running time is approx. 2 hrs, 10 min.
A family of auto racers clash with foes both on and off the track.
Speed Racer was one of several Japanese animation series that found overseas success in the 1960s and 70s after being redubbed and edited for American audiences. Its striking visuals and memorable theme song endeared it to young viewers, and a subsequent syndication on MTV in the 1990s reached another generation.
The trilogy completed, the Wachowskis elected to change gears for their next film, with the intention of doing something more family-oriented. Warner Bros had the rights to the Speed Racer property, and efforts to produce a film adaptation had gone through numerous directors and actors, including Gus Van Sant, Alfonso Cuarón, Johnny Depp, Vince Vaughn, and J.J. Abrams. The Wachowskis were brought on to both write and direct.
With co-funding from the German government, the production took place at the legendary Babelsberg Studios outside Berlin. Still interested in pushing the technological envelope as they had done on the Matrix films, the Wachowskis worked in HD video for the first time, with the entire film shot against greenscreen for the extensive visual effects. Their cinematographer was Dave Tattersall, who had shot all three Star Wars prequels.
The cast includes Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Emile Hirsch (Into The Wild), Matthew Fox (TV's Lost) and Christina Ricci. The theme music and sound effects from the original cartoon were used in tandem with a new score from acclaimed composer Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille, Up, The Incredibles).
Despite a huge marketing campaign and extensive product licensing, the film failed to earn back its budget at the box office (opening a week after the smash hit Iron Man certainly a factor. The critical response was equally harsh, though some critics defended its unique approach.
Running time is approx. 2 hrs, 10 min.
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