16 Years Later, I’m Still Amazed By This Underrated Anime Adaptation

Summary

• An underrated anime adaptation and cult classic, the 2008
  Speed Racer
  movie captures the essence of the source material.
• Despite being a box office flop,
  Speed Racer
  boasts thrilling action sequences, pitch-perfect campy humor, and spot-on casting.
• An ahead-of-its-time live-action anime adaptation,
  Speed Racer
  deserves a rewatch in the era of Netflix’s
  One Piece
  .

Sixteen years after the release of the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer zoomed into theaters, I’m still amazed by the anime adaptation’s status as a severely underrated movie. Based on Tatsuo Yoshida’s manga series of the same name, 2008’s Speed Racer also takes cues from the hugely popular anime of the mid-60s. One of the first anime to become successful in the US, Speed Racer — in all its iterations, including the Wachowskis’ movie — features a titular protagonist defined by his love of high-speed racing, his high-tech and high-speed Mach 5 car, and his family.

Best known for writing and directing The Matrix, one of Hollywood’s most influential sci-fi action films of all time, Lana and Lilly Wachowski followed up their commercially successful franchise by writing and producing V for Vendetta, the 2005 film adaptation of Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s iconic graphic novel. The duo returned to directing three years later with their live-action adaptation of Speed Racer. Starring Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox, the Wachowskis’ movie was a surprisingly faithful adaptation. However, despite their inventive approach, the Speed Racer movie bombed at the box office.

Speed Racer Was A Good Anime Adaptation (& Even Better Movie)

Viewers & Critics Alike Should Revisit The Underrated 2008 Movie

In the wake of its failed release, box office bomb Speed Racer later gained a cult following. Reflecting on the experience, star Emile Hirsch, who played Speed Racer, called the cult classic status “validating.” With its incredibly earnest tone, over-the-top action sequences, and cartoony humor, I think Speed Racer really captures the essence of the anime it’s translating into live-action format. Unlike other live-action anime adaptations that feel like a complete departure from the franchises fans love, the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer embraces its roots, from its tone to its characters.

…I guarantee the beautifully campy and wildly imaginative Speed Racer will make you smile.

Even when the Speed Racer movie is a jumbled mess of mid-aughts CGI, it’s an incredible thrill ride. In the best way possible, the 2008 movie feels like a live-action cartoon. The stakes feel high, even when the racetrack drama is punctuated by cheesy or humorous moments, and Speed Racer‘s casting is wildly spot-on. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing live-action versions of Pops Racer (John Goodman), Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon), or Trixie (Christina Ricci). Put aside any pretentiousness, and I guarantee the beautifully campy and wildly imaginative Speed Racer will make you smile.

What Went Wrong With Speed Racer’s Box Office

Speed Racer Wasn’t The Accessible Or Mainstream Hit It Needed To Be

Considered a flop due to its poor box office performance, Speed Racer has managed to regain some ground in recent years. Thanks to its candy-colored glut of CGI, Speed Racer‘s budget ballooned to a staggering $120 million. Ultimately, the movie hit some box-office speed bumps, grossing just $93.9 million. Unfortunately for Speed Racer, its theatrical release coincided with Iron Man‘s second weekend in cinemas (and it went on to gross $585.8 million). Along with the larger MCU, the Iron Man movies helped revolutionize the way comic book movies are thought of by viewers and critics.

Was Speed Racer Too Ahead Of Its Time?

Speed Racer Would Fit In Well With Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Adaptation

There’s no doubt about it: I know 2008’s Speed Racer was way ahead of its time. Despite Iron Man‘s release, 2008 was still a pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe world. MCU films have made comic book movies more mainstream, proving that they can be both commercial and critical, all while telling stories across many genres. It’s possible today’s viewers would be more open to Speed Racer‘s distinctive style. After all, live-action anime adaptations that embrace their source material are still rare, but if the success of Netflix’s One Piece proves anything, it’s that Speed Racer deserves a rewatch.