Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
The Wachowskis' action-packed racing film slightly sputters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Speed Racer
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say the movie features vibrant visuals and engaging racing scenes but suffers from a lengthy runtime filled with violence and inappropriate content for young audiences. While some appreciate the artistic storytelling, many express concerns about its intense scenes and profanity, deeming it unsuitable for children, ultimately leading to mixed feelings about its overall enjoyment.
- colorful visuals
- inappropriate content
- lengthy runtime
- mixed enjoyment
- intense scenes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a fun and action-packed experience that appeals more to older children and teens, with a mix of excitement and some questionable content like violence and mild language. While some reviewers enjoyed its vibrant visual appeal and nostalgic ties to the original series, many caution against its suitability for younger audiences due to certain themes and scenes that might be disturbing or confusing for them.
- action-packed
- suitable for older kids
- caution on violence
- questionable content
- vibrant visuals
- mild language
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on a same-named 1960s anime, SPEED RACER stars Emile Hirsch as Speed, the 18-year-old middle son in a car racing family who has, as his name suggests, a gift for speed. But all is not fun and games: Speed's older brother appears to have died in a horrible accident that may have been engineered by an evil conglomerate—which then starts gunning for Speed after he turns down their offer of a lucrative contract so long as he races for them. Luckily, Speed has tons of support, including his race car builder dad (John Goodman), encouraging mother (Susan Sarandon), adoring girlfriend (Christina Ricci), lovable younger brother (Paulie Litt), and the family's pet chimp. And then there's Racer X (Matthew Fox), an enigmatic driver who recruits Speed to fight for justice.
Is It Any Good?
It's not entirely clear why the Wachowski sisters, the CGI geniuses behind the Matrix trilogy, didn't make this zany family film into an animated feature. Speed Racer certainly feels like it wants to be one. In the best sense, it has that hyperbolic feel of a Road Runner cartoon, all whiz-bang and excitement (though, that said, the first act is pretty slow). The race scenes look as if they're taking place inside a flashing pinball machine—all the more appealing for young fans. But parents shouldn't worry: Except for a few salty words and some painful fight scenes, it's squeaky clean.
Speed Racer also suffers from some of the pitfalls of many animated adventures. It's light on storytelling (the underlying theme about sports being too beholden to large corporations barely gets out of the gate) and it's burdened with earnest, snoozy dialogue. The actors have so little to do—clearly, emphasis was placed on the special effects—that the movie almost doesn't need its big-name stars. And the mightily stylized look goes into overdrive, potentially leaving older audiences with a migraine. Some may find themselves longing for a good, old-fashioned race, one that takes place on a real track, to give them some non-computer-generated excitement.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Speed Racer feels more like a live-action film or a cartoon. What style do you think the filmmakers were going for? Did they succeed?
If you've seen other movies or TV shows by the Wachowskis, what do they have in common with Speed Racer? What sets this film apart?
How is Speed's family portrayed? Is it similar to other families shown on-screen? What keeps them together, and what causes friction between family members?
What do you think is Speed Racer's main theme? How many times did you notice the topic of integrity coming up? Which characters demonstrate this important strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 7, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : September 15, 2008
- Cast : Christina Ricci , Emile Hirsch , Susan Sarandon , John Goodman
- Directors : Lilly Wachowski , Lana Wachowski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Director(s) , Transgender Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Lesbian Movie Writer(s) , Queer Movie Writer(s) , Transgender Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Book Characters , Competition , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Run time : 129 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of action, some violence, language and brief smoking.
- Last updated : May 5, 2026
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