Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated animal adventure has some car crashes, fights.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Rally Road Racers
What's the Story?
RALLY ROAD RACERS opens with a young slow loris, Zhi (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang), who dreams of being a champion race car driver like his idol, Archie Vainglorious (John Cleese). Years later, the orphaned Zhi, who is being raised by his grandmother, Granny Bai (Lisa Lu), practices racing skills on a dirt track. When he notices an eviction notice on Granny's door, Zhi makes a bet with Vainglorious that he can win the legendary Silk Road Rally, an arduous road race. Vainglorious is confident that he will win -- but he also tries to sabotage Zhi. In order to win, Zhi teams up with Gnash (J.K. Simmons), a philosophical old goat who used to be a driver and is now a mechanic who's happy to train Zhi. During the big race, Zhi meets zany competitors and fellow slow loris Shelby (Chloe Bennet), who distracts him with her beauty and cool-girl personality.
Is It Any Good?
This cute animal adventure has a plucky underdog protagonist and plenty of charming supporting characters. While not as adult-friendly as the movies it's most reminiscent of -- like Cars and Zootopia -- Rally Road Racers is a sweet, simple story that emphasizes the importance of community and teamwork while also allowing characters to make amends for their mistakes. Zhi is a classic hero, requiring the mentorship of a sage elder (Gnash even collects inspiring adages), the backing of a proud village, and the love of good friends and a special girl. But it's the races that will delight younger viewers (and one nostalgic, if out-of-context, black-and-white sequence tribute to the a-ha song "Take on Me" is a fun wink-wink joke for anyone who remembers the 1985 video).
Granny Bai and Shelby stand out as the two women in Zhi's life, each of whom wants him to find happiness and peace. The funniest supporting characters are husband-and-wife seahorse team Wet Lightning -- who are expecting babies carried by the husband -- and the two female announcers on the race circuit, who are voiced by Sharon Horgan and Catherine Tate. Zhi's journey may not be as memorable as the movies it takes after, but it's fun and inspiring and will undoubtedly entertain kids and tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages in Rally Road Racers. What kind of community does Zhi find with the other race car drivers?
Which parts of the movie did you find scary? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
Which characters do you consider role models? How do they demonstrate character strengths like perseverance and teamwork? Why are those important?
Discuss Zhi and Shelby's friendship-turned-romance. What do you think of romances in movies aimed at younger viewers?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 12, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : June 27, 2023
- Cast : Jimmy O. Yang , J.K. Simmons , Chloe Bennet
- Director : Ross Venokur
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Viva Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild violence and rude humor
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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