Se7en

Directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker, Se7en is the story of a soon-to-be-retired detective who teams up with a young detective to investigate a series of mysterious killings based on the seven deadly sins. The film is a suspense-thriller that explores the seven deadly sins as two men try to catch its killer. Starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. McGinley, R. Lee Ermey, Richard Roundtree, and Kevin Spacey. Se7en is an eerie and haunting film from David Fincher.

The film follows two detectives taking part in a week-long case involving a series of mysterious murders based on the seven deadly sins as it becomes more deadly and complex. That is the simple premise of the film as it explores not just the idea of sin but what two different detectives are dealing with as one is about to retire while the other has just arrived from another city. Andrew Kevin Walker’s screenplay has this amazing structure as it is told in the span of a week where Detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) spends his last days devoted to this case with the help of his new yet short-tempered partner Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) who has transferred himself from another city with his wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow). In the course of the week, the two delve into mysterious murders as it gets more intricate with each sin that follows where it also becomes more gruesome.

One of the aspects of the script that is engaging is the partnership between Somerset and Mills as it starts off with two men in very different places as the former is uncertain in working with someone that is young and kind of cynical while the latter isn’t sure about working with some old man who probably hasn’t done a lot of action and knows too much. Still, their relationship does gradually develop as Somerset gets to know Mills and meet Tracy where she would bring a warm side to Somerset as she would tell him a secret that her husband doesn’t know yet. During the search of the killer, the two detectives try to figure out what is going on as it leads to that last day where both men are on the same page but there is still that surprise that would lead to the basis of the mystery and the man who committed them.

David Fincher’s direction is definitely dark as it makes no bones that this isn’t some conventional thriller as much of the film takes place during rainy days. While much of the film is shot in Los Angeles with the exception of its climax that is shot near Lancaster, California, the film is set into something that looks and feels like any other American city where it’s kind of seedy and chaotic as these murders only just make things worse. Fincher’s usage of hand-held cameras for some of the chases and action-based scenes are quite engaging yet it is his approach to how he build up the suspense and sense of danger that is entrancing from the usage of the wide and medium shots to capture the crime scenes to the extreme close-ups of every attention to detail of the bodies and such in the crime scenes.

Fincher would also use some intricate tracking shots with the hand-held cameras and steadicam to capture some of the action such as a sequence in a massage parlor where some of the most gruesome acts of murder have occurred. By the time the film reaches its third act as its killer is unveiled, something interesting happens as it relates to the killer and the theme of the seven deadly sins. The climax is interesting as it is all about control as well as what some will do as Fincher presents it with a lot of style from the usage of helicopter-based shots to what is happening in the ground. Even as it lead to moments that are very shocking with some moral implications as it says a lot about the dark aspects of humanity. Overall, Fincher creates a intoxicating yet unsettling film about two detectives taking on a murder case based on the seven deadly sins.

Cinematographer Darius Khondji does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography with its usage of low-key lights and moods to play into the film‘s eerie tone for many of the interiors and exteriors along with the sunny but chilling climax as it include some additional work from Harris Savides who also shoots the film‘s opening title sequence. Editor Richard Francis-Bruce does excellent work with the editing with some jump-cuts for some of the high-octane action moments along with some unique rhythms to play into the suspense. Production designer Arthur Max, with set decorator Clay A. Griffith and art director Gary Wissner, does fantastic work with the look of the apartment homes that the detectives live in as well as the police precinct offices and the mysterious apartment of the killer. Costume designer Michael Kaplan does nice work with the costumes as it is mostly casual from the clothes the detectives wear as well as the mysterious look of the killer.

Makeup supervisor Jean Ann Black, along with special effects makeup artist Rob Bottin and supervising hair stylist/makeup artist Michael White, does amazing work with the look of the victims in the decayed state they‘re in as it play into the macabre tone of the film. Visual effects supervisor Greg Kimble does terrific work with some of the film‘s minimal visual effects as it involves bits of set dressing as well as in the film‘s opening title sequence. Sound designer Ren Klyce and sound editor Patrick Dodd do superb work with the film‘s sound as it has a lot of layers into the way some of the moments of action sound such as a chase scene as well as in the way police sirens and sparse moments are presented. The film’s music by Howard Shore is great as its orchestral-based score is filled with bombastic string arrangements to play into the suspense and drama as well as moments that are low-key through its somber pieces. The film’s music soundtrack is a mixture of music from Johann Sebastian Bach, Thelonious Monk, Haircut 100, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Lynne, the Statler Brothers, Gravity Kills, Nine Inch Nails, and David Bowie.

The casting by Kerry Barden, Billy Hopkins, and Suzanne Smith is wonderful as it feature some notable small roles from Michael Massee as a massage parlor manager, Leland Orser as a traumatized man at the massage parlor, Reg E. Cathey as the coroner, Mark Boone Junior as a greasy FBI agent friend of Somerset, Hawthorne James as a friend of Somerset who watches over the police library, Richard Schiff as John Doe’s attorney, Julie Araskog as the wife of one of the victims, and John C. McGinley in a terrific small role as a SWAT team leader. Richard Roundtree is superb as District Attorney Martin Talbot as a no-nonsense man who is trying to make sure the case doesn’t get out of control for the public. R. Lee Ermey is excellent as the police captain who is an old friend of Somerset as he tries to ensure things go well while making sure Somerset and Mills do their jobs. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic as Tracy as Mills’ wife who is trying to adjust to her new home as well as confide in Somerset of a secret and asking for his advice as she is the one person that humanizes both Mills and Somerset.

Kevin Spacey is incredible in his mysterious role as John Doe as a man who isn’t seen much in the film until the third act where he has this odd presence about him that is intriguing to watch as it is one of Spacey’s defining performances. Brad Pitt is amazing as Detective David Mills as this young detective who is new to town as he’s not keen on having Somerset as his partner as he is kind of cocky as well as be a prick yet Pitt makes him so engaging as well as have him be grounded once he realizes the seriousness of the case. Finally, there’s Morgan Freeman in a brilliant performance as Detective Lt. William Somerset as a man that has seen a lot as he’s about to retire until the complexity of the murder case as he tries to find many things while becoming frustrated with its brutality as he and Pitt have a great rapport as two men who are opposites yet find common ground in the way things have become.

Se7en is a phenomenal film from David Fincher that features sensational performances from Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey. Along with a superb supporting cast, gorgeous yet eerie visuals, and a haunting music score and soundtrack. It’s a film that isn’t just a smart and intricate suspense-thriller but one that is filled with many layers that explore the dark aspects of humanity. In the end, Se7en is an astounding film from David Fincher.

David Fincher Films: Alien 3 - The Game - Fight Club - Panic Room - Zodiac - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - The Social Network - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011 film) - Gone Girl

Related: 15 Essential Videos by David Fincher - The Auteurs #61: David Fincher

© thevoid99 2016

Brick

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 9/24/06 w/ Additional Edits.

Written, edited, and directed by Rian Johnson, Brick is the story of a high school kid trying to discover the mystery of his ex-girlfriend's disappearance. In his feature-film debut, Johnson brings the high school movies to darker levels that is reminiscent of film noir. Giving the high school outsider the chance to be a protagonist, the film reveals many dark levels of high school and everything that troubles young teens. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Emilie de Ravin, Meagan Good, Noah Fleiss, Matt O'Leary, Nora Zehetner, and Richard Roundtree. Brick is truly one of the year's most harrowing and intriguing takes on the film-noir genre from the brilliant Rian Johnson.

On another day in high school, Brendan Frye (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) receives a mysterious, troubling phone call from his ex-girlfriend Emily (Emilie de Ravin). With his best friend Brain (Matt O'Leary), they wonder what happened to her two months ago that led to his break-up where he would try to gather notes. After finding a mysterious red card, he talks to the school's top actress in Kara (Meagan Good) about the card which is an invitation to a party by rich girl Laura (Nora Zehetner). Brendan attends the party in secrecy which is a bothersome to Laura's jock-boyfriend Brad (Brian J. White) where Laura notices him as they briefly talk before she goes outside to talk to a mysterious guy with a black car. The next day, Brendan confronts a Goth-like stoner named Dode (Noah Segan) on Emily's whereabouts. Later, he finds a haggard Emily who just wants a final conversation as she's become addicted to drugs and isn't telling Brendan about anything.

Brendan however, has stolen her notepad that features a mysterious note which features a time and a place to meet. That's when Brendan finds Emily, dead in a sewer tunnel. He hides her after finding someone looking on as he decides to investigate everything. He already suspects the involvement of Dode and Kara while finding a link to a local drug kingpin known as the Pin (Lukas Haas). Learning that Brad is a customer of the Pin, he ends up being quickly assaulted by a muscle-man named Tugger (Noah Fleiss). The assault has put him in the office of the school's vice principal Trueman (Richard Roundtree) who wants a full investigation on Emily's disappearance but Brendan, refuses to cooperate after a recent cooperation got one of his friends in trouble. With Brain as the only person he can trust, Brain decides to watch out for Dode and Kara while he had been contacted by Laura. Laura wants to help out as she knows the Pin while Brendan continues to get assaulted by Tugger only to keep going after him that leads him to the home of the Pin.

Brendan meets the Pin who is aware that Brendan knows something as he makes a deal on the sale of the last brick full of drugs. The Pin still wants to know about the last one that put a fellow customer in a coma where Brendan feels there's a connection. Plagued by internal injuries and a growing sense of paranoia, Brendan has another confrontation with Dode, who reveals a troubling information about her. With Dode planning to reveal more to the Pin, it all becomes trouble as Brendan learns of Tugger's emotional dysfunction that troubles his association with the Pin. With Laura comforting him, Brendan learns more of what goes on. What Kara had tried to plan and the troubling relationship between the Pin and Tugger as he gets closer to Emily's death and the involvement of a brick-shaped drug.

The idea of a high school noir film might seem like a gimmick where people would get the idea of young high school kids trying to talk like Humphrey Bogart and have some meandering voice-over narration. Well, Rian Johnson uses his knowledge of noir novels and films along with the stark experience of high school to create an entirely original approach to noir. Using high school as the centerpiece of the mystery, Johnson chooses the high school loner/outsider as his protagonist instead of the nerd, jock, preppie, or any kind of typical cliques of high school. The film is really about a loner who tries to investigate his ex-girlfriend's death and how he immersed himself into a world full of cliques involving drugs. The result is a mystery that builds its momentum with great energy and excitement of young independent cinema with the psychological style and wit of old-school noir films.

Johnson's writing is filled with great, intense dialogue that mixes modern-day conversation with traditional, noir-like wordplay that becomes more of today's language. The talking is a bit fast yet works in the rhythm of traditional noir while a lot of the conversations and rapport between characters. Johnson's approach to mystery is far-more complex and layered than traditional mystery films where Brendan tries to find out everything and the more he searches, he begins to piece things right to the end. Yet, since Johnson sets the film in high school, he avoids the usual world of high school that's been known in John Hughes films.

That's where Johnson's directing is really at its most ominous since he uses high school as a sense of discomfort to Brendan's role in being a loner. Brendan is a smart kid yet couldn't put himself in the world of cliques since he doesn't really like anyone except for the Brain. Johnson even goes as far as to explore the world of stoners and rich cliques as more than just the one-dimensional stereotype while the only stereotype that is displayed in great form is the character of Brian. Johnson's directing captures the atmosphere of not just high school but the dark, bland world of suburbia where it has the sense of energy and eeriness of some of the films of Gregg Araki as well as Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko. With Johnson also serving as editor, his cutting brings a perspective and rhythm that is energetic to display the paranoia that Brendan suffers as well as wonderful jump-cuts that brings a disjointed tone to the film. Overall, Johnson's writing, directing, and editing is top-notch.

Helping Johnson in his visual presentation is cinematographer Steve Yedlin whose color schemes and lighting creates an ominous, intimate tone in some of the interiors including a wonderful lighting sequence in a scene involving the brick. The exteriors are a bit gray to convey the atmosphere that is high school along with some wonderful coloring to view the sunlight as some of the shots are a mix of blue-gray for some scenes. Production designer Jodie Tillen along with set decorator Shara Kasprack do great work in the interior designs for some of the homes, notably Laura's home that is decorated with candles. The best design in the film is the room of the Pin that is very spacious with colorful carpets and wall that only features a few chairs and a desk. Costume designer Michele Posch also does great work in the costumes whether is the Goth-like clothing of Dode and the Pin to the array of fashionable clothing worn by Laura and the stage costumes of Kara. Sound designer Jonathan Miller also does great work with the sound to convey the atmosphere, notably a scene on the beach where the clashing of waves and trains are wonderfully mixed.

Composer Nathan Johnson along with Larry Seymour creates a great, timbre-like score filled with disjointed ukelele melodies and a strange, saloon-like piano score that is nearly reminiscent of some of the music Ennio Morricone made in Sergio Leone's classic gangster film Once Upon a Time in America. Johnson's score is rich in not playing to traditional score work of noir-films in rather setting the fierce atmosphere that Brendan is in. The film's soundtrack features music from the play The Mikado where the song The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze is performed wonderfully by Nora Zehetner along with traditional cuts like Frankie And Johnny, a metal track from The Hospital Bombers Experience, and the classic Sister Ray from the Velvet Underground.

Finally, there’s the film's wonderful ensemble cast that includes an energetic yet intentionally annoying performance from Brian J. White as the jock Brian who thinks he rules the school only to underestimate Brendan. The legendary Richard Roundtree is only in the film briefly as the school's vice principal who wants to know what goes on as Roundtree serves as the only adult in the film as he does some fine work. Lost's Emilie de Ravin is excellent in her role as Emily with her eerie presence and disintegrated look as she plays a would-be victim who doesn't know what she got herself into while carrying a dark secret. Noah Segan is excellent as the Goth stoner Dode with his thin, troubling look as a guy who hopes to blackmail Brendan with some information while being completely unaware what he's gotten himself into. Meagan Good is also good as the seductive Kara who uses her sex appeal in hoping to win over Brendan into getting some information as Good brings a lot of sexiness and charm to play the character.

Noah Fleiss gives a great performance as the muscle-man Tugger with his fierce attitude and physique where he is a big threat while is trying to find some questions about the brick. Fleiss also shows his sensitivity where he proves that Tugger is more than a muscle-man but someone who knows a thing or two about power. Matt O'Leary is amazing as fellow loner the Brain with his witty speech and knowledge on what he knows. O'Leary is really the great sidekick that Gordon-Levitt needed as he also serves as a moral conscience for the film and the one who grounds Brendan.

In a role that is many miles away from the innocent boy in Witness, Lukas Haas delivers what could be his best performance as the Goth-like kingpin known as the Pin. Haas brings a disconcerting presence that is very attentive as he is a smart man that is very powerful while trying to make a business in the basement of his mother's home. Nora Zehetner of Everwood gives a real breakthrough as the film's femme fatale Laura. With a seductive yet haunting presence, Zehetner really shines with her ode to noir while adding edge to a character who knows a lot yet could be trouble for Brendan. Zehetner has great chemistry with Gordon-Levitt as she proves herself to be sexy yet dangerous.

Following such challenging roles in Manic and Gregg Arak's classic 2004 film Mysterious Skin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has continued to become a more powerful, complex actor since his days as a child star. Gordon-Levitt gives Brendan a sense of old-school noir-like caricature that is natural and stylistic while bringing a darker sensibility in being a loner. Gordon-Levitt also proves that he can carry a film while not acting like the typical movie star. He displays his angst and concern with such brutal honesty that it's probably his most realistic portrayal of any character that he brings. With this film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has now taken a step into being one of the most provocative actors of his generation.

The Region 1 DVD from Focus Features presents the film in the anamorphic widescreen format ratio of 1:85:1 along English 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound including subtitles in Spanish, French, and English for the hearing impaired. The DVD includes three DVD trailers for Michel Gondry's Dave Chappelle's Block Party, the horror film Slither, and Spike Lee's The Inside Man. Three special features are included into the film. The first is a three-minute featurette entitled The Inside Track: Casting the Roles which includes auditions from Nora Zehetner and Noah Segan playing their roles in a 2003 audition with a casting director that showed why they got their roles.

The second featurette is a 22-minute gallery of extended and deleted scenes with an introduction to each scene from Rian Johnson. Eight scenes including an extended performance of Zehetner singing The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze, three scenes with her and Gordon-Levitt, an extended phone conversation between Brendan and the Brain, an extended meeting with Brendan and Kara, and a strange yet cheesy dream sequence reveals Johnson's reasons for cutting these scenes. Several of them were due to timing which made the film ran over two hours and a few including the scenes with Brendan and Laura were plagued with sound problems. It's a great feature that includes photos with some nice insight from Johnson.

The final special feature is an audio commentary track from Rian Johnson who talks about his influences, notably writer Dashiell Hammett and the Coen Brothers film Miller's Crossing about the language of the film in its ode to noir. During the entire commentary, he talks in brief conversations in individual moments with actors Nora Zehetner and Noah Segan along with production designer Jodie Tillen, costume designer Michele Posch, and producer Ram Bergman. Each guest talk about their own experience as Zehetner recalls that she and Rian worked before since he worked as an editor in May by Lucky McKee which she was in. Segan talks about his clothing while towards the final credits, there's a funny surprise concerning producer Ram Bergman. Though the commentary style is a bit unconventional, it's insightful and entertaining.

Brick is an extraordinary film from Rian Johnson that features an incredible lead performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film is definitely one of the most unique films that transcends genres thanks to its noir-inspired dialogue, unique camera work, brooding music, stylized editing, and an amazing supporting cast that includes Nora Zehetner and Lukas Haas. In the end, Brick is an entrancing yet exhilarating film from Rian Johnson.

Rian Johnson Films: The Brothers Bloom - Looper - The Last Jedi - Knives Out - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - (Knives Out 3)

© thevoid99 2012

Speed Racer

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 11/21/09.

The 1960s anime cartoon Speed Racer about a young racer who races against the odds under the support of his family and a mysterious driver is among one of the popular cartoons of its time. Though it only lasted an entire season in the U.S., it remains a cult favorite as it was seen through re-runs over the years. In 2008, a film version was finally released after years of troubled development until it came into the hands of producer Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers, the team who had gained massive success with the Matrix film franchise.

Directed and written for the screen by Larry & Andy Wachowski, Speed Racer tells the story of a young, talented race car driver who is set to become the greatest racer of his generation. When a corrupt, corporate wants to offer the young man a chance to become the best, the young racer learns some horrible truths about the world of racing as he teams up with a mysterious racer to stop corruption through what they know best. A part action film with elements of comedy and themes about family. The film is a hyperactive yet colorful take on the famed anime cartoon as the Wachowski Brothers create a film that is accessible yet entertaining. With an all-star cast that includes Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Roger Allam, Matthew Fox, Paulie Litt, Kick Gurry, Scott Porter, Rain, Benno Furmann, Yu Nan, and Richard Roundtree. Speed Racer is a fun, exciting film that has enough action and humor for audience of all ages to enjoy.

Set to race against all the odds on a race, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is out-racing his competitors as his family watch. Among them is his father Pops Racer (John Goodman) who heads the independent Racer Motors that Speed faithfully works for. Also watching are his mother (Susan Sarandon), little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), their pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim, mechanic Sparky (Kick Gurry), and Speed's girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci). Speed wins though misses the record by a split second because the record belongs to his late older brother Rex (Scott Porter) who was killed in the treacherous Casa Cristo race. The death of Rex was hard on the family as he was considered a promising racer until he left Racer Motors to work for a corporation where he played dirty and lost a lot of respect until his death.

Meanwhile, E.P. Arnold Royalton (Roger Allam) arrives to the home of the Racer family to offer Speed a lucrative deal as he invites the entire Racer family to his headquarters where they meet the legendary Cannonball Taylor (Ralph Henforth). Though the offer Royalton is tempting, Speed isn't sure while something else is going on as a mob boss named Cruncher Block (John Benfield) is beating a young racer named Taejo Togokahn (Rain) to lose more races as he was saved by the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox). Speed goes to Royalton to reveal his decision while telling the story about Rex's death as well as what got Pops Racer back into racing over a legendary Grand Prix race. Royalton then reveals something horrifying about the Grand Prix race that Ben Burns (Richard Roundtree) won was all fixed for corporate gain. Spritle, who sneaked in on that meeting with Chim-Chim learns about a new prototype that Royalton is creating.

After turning down Royalton in which, he loses a prestigious race that has the Racer family in trouble. An inspector (Benno Furmann) arrives with Racer X at the Racer house to reveal some news over what happened at the last race along with an offer to stop Royalton with help from Taejo Togokahn who claims to have evidence linking Royalton to Blocker. The problem is that the race is at the treacherous Casa Cristo as Pops refuses to have Speed involved. Speed and Trixie secretly decides to help Racer X and Togokahn as part of a team to defeat dirty racers that includes Snake Oiler (Christian Oliver). Though Speed did great on his own, the first half was won by Snake Oiler making Togokahn upset while the Racer family finds out that Speed is racing the Casa Cristo as Pops reluctantly helps Speed. Along with help from Taejo's sister Horuko (Yu Nan), Speed and his team with Togokahn being the ultimate winner as he gains an invitation to the Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, things doesn't go well at all for Speed as Racer X, who is believed to be Rex, reveals his identity as they're both upset over what Taejo has decided to do in order for his family to gain profit for their own stock. Horuko however, decides to give the Grand Prix invitation to Speed as a lesson to her family where Speed would show racers all over the world what he can do with some surprising help.

The approach that the Wachowskis go for with this film is to simply make a family film. While it's a change of pace from their darker, more violent films. The unique visual style that the Wachowski are known for is there. At the same time, their script which is filled with lots of back story on characters and the world of corporations do work for the most part though the latter story about corporations and stock market does get confusing for some audiences, particularly children. Yet, the heart of the film is Speed Racer and his relationship with his family. Even as Speed is tempted to get things any young racer would want as long as his family is involved. Yet, when he turns down Royalton's offer just out of loyalty to his own family. He realizes what he must do to protect them and also why his brother left Racer Motors in the first place.

While the story does faithfully tell the folklore of Speed and Racer X, the Wachowski does create some interesting storylines about that relationship along with Racer X's secret identity. The direction of the film is very stylized. It's fast, hyperactive, and very colorful all in the anime style. While some audiences might have a hard time keeping up with what's going. The Wachowskis do at least, slow things down so that audiences can get a chance to know the characters and the situation around them. The race sequences are definitely intense along with some humorous sequences that is very appealing to kids which works well with their hyperactive energy. Despite a few flaws in the story and in the direction, the Wachowskis do create a film that is definitely fun to watch.

Cinematographer David Tattersall does some nice work with the film's high-octane look with loads of swirling colors and lighting styles to convey the mood of the race and tone of the film. Editors Roger Barton and Zach Staenberg do excellent work with the film's highly-stylized editing with the use of transition wipes in using characters and object to move from one scene to another along with fast-paced cuts for the film's hyperactive race scenes. Even the use of freeze frames for some of the film's energetic, anime-style sequences. Production designer Owen Paterson along with set decorator Peter Walope and supervising art director Hugh Bateup do some fantastic work with the look and design of the race tracks and Royalton's building. Costume designer Kym Barrett does very good work with the look of Speed's clothes that is reminiscent of the cartoon along with the lavish look of Royalton and other racers as it's faithful to the look of the cartoon.

The visual effects work by supervisor Chadi Abo, John Gaeta, Dan Glass, Kim Libreri, and Kevin Scott Mack is truly phenomenal in its hyperactive, colorful look. While it might seem excessive, it works to convey the energy and feel of the film in terms of its attempts to make it as close as the cartoon. The visual effects work does succeed, notably a comical scene involving Spritle, Chim-Chim, and a ninja. Sound designer Dane A. Davis does some excellent work in the sound work of tire squeals, engine growls, and other things that goes on during the race. Music composer Michael Giacchino brings a playful, broad score to the film that plays up to its humor and bombastic racing scenes with huge orchestral arrangements as it's an excellent score piece from Giacchino.

The casting by Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson is brilliant with some memorable small roles from Nicholas Elias as a young Speed, Ariel Winter as a young Trixie, original Speed Racer voice actor Peter Hernandez as a local race announcer, Nayo Wallace as Racer X's girlfriend Minx, Ralph Henforth as Cannonball Taylor, Cosma Shiva Hagen as Royalton's assistant Gennie, German punk vocalist Jana Pallaske as a dirty racer at Casa Cristo, Togo Igawa as Mr. Togokahn, and Ben Miles as a Grand Prix commentator. Other small roles from more well-known actors as Melvil Poupaud as a Casa Cristo announcer, Hiroyuki Sanada as a business rival of Royalton, and Richard Roundtree as Ben Burns are great in their brief but memorable apperances.

Christian Oliver is funny as dirty racer Snake Oiler while John Benfield is very good as the thuggish Crunch Blocker. Scott Porter is pretty good in his brief role as Rex Racer while Korean pop vocalist Rain is also good as Taejo Togokahn with Yu Nan in a fine role as his good-natured sister Horuko. Kick Gurry is funny as Speed's mechanic Sparky who can't fight to save his life while Paulie Litt is fantastic as Spritle, the kid who loves candy and be with his pet chimp Chim-Chim, who rules. Benno Furmann is fine in a small role as the Inspector Detective who helps the Racer family find ways to fight corruption. In a very understated but light-humorous performance, Matthew Fox is excellent as the mysterious Racer X who helps Speed fight corruption while giving him some advice about doing the right thing.

Roger Allam is great as Royalton, the corporate honcho who will do what it takes to make more money and make Speed's life a living hell as Allam definitely hams it up and gives a glorious performance. Susan Sarandon is really good in a small yet understated role as Mom Racer who ground Speed while providing the warmth and calmness the family needed. John Goodman is fantastic as Pops Racer, a man who is all about the love of racing and a distaste for corporations while showing that he isn't naive as Speed thinks he is while can easily beat up a ninja. Christina Ricci is really good as Trixie, Speed's girlfriend who definitely can help Speed think things clearly while showing that she can be more than helpful on the race tracks as she even says the character's trademark line, cool beans. Emile Hirsch is brilliant as the title character in displaying a young man driven to win but also confused by the myths of races as Hirsch definitely carries the film with a coolness and complexity as it's definitely a worthy follow-up to his brilliant role in Sean Penn's Into the Wild a year earlier.

While it's not a perfect film, Speed Racer is a good, fun, entertaining film from the Wachowski Brothers that is a definite improvement over the let-downs that were the Matrix sequels. While fans of the original cartoon might have issues with its hyperactive look and tone, it is a film that is faithful while adding a nice spin to the cartoon. While it didn't do well in the box office when it came out in May 2008 largely due to some bad trailers. It's a film that needs to be seen since it is funny, it's got lots of action, and a strong theme about family. In the end, Speed Racer is a film that is worth anyone's time except for those cootie-sensitive viewers.

Wachowski Brothers Reviews: (Bound) - (The Matrix) - (The Matrix: Reloaded) - (The Matrix Revolutions) - Cloud Atlas

(C) thevoid99 2011