REVIEW: The Flawed ‘Speed Racer’ is Hidden in Greatness

By Leo Escudero '26

Imagine you are in 2008, hearing about a new film. It’s mixed with high tech, excellent graphics and an unconventional style. A high risk, but a high reward. If you thought of "The Dark Knight," you would be right, but there was another film that didn't get the spotlight.


This week there was a 4K restoration of a 2008 film called "Speed Racer". In the past, it has been criticized because of its confusing plot, disorienting pacing and loud graphics. It was a box office failure, grossing $92 million out of an estimated $120 million budget. Even though it was a failure, the movie has a small fan base seeing it as a highly creative and beautiful film.


The directors, the Wachowski sisters (also known for directing "The Matrix"), made this movie focusing on seamless transitions, colors and lightheartedness.


I understand why "Speed Racer" was rated poorly, but I loved it. It had some creative decisions that were seen as conventional movie flaws, but its greatness outshines those.


As a student who struggles with focusing in school and a slight car enthusiast, I related to Speed. During the flashbacks of Speed as a child, he was uninterested in school and obsessed with racing. I loved this because Speed knows what he is good at, even if it goes against the fold.

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Imagine you are in 2008, hearing about a new film. It’s mixed with high tech, excellent graphics and an unconventional style. A high risk, but a high reward. If you thought of "The Dark Knight," you would be right, but there was another film that didn't get the spotlight.


This week there was a 4K restoration of a 2008 film called "Speed Racer". In the past, it has been criticized because of its confusing plot, disorienting pacing and loud graphics. It was a box office failure, grossing $92 million out of an estimated $120 million budget. Even though it was a failure, the movie has a small fan base seeing it as a highly creative and beautiful film.


The directors, the Wachowski sisters (also known for directing "The Matrix"), made this movie focusing on seamless transitions, colors and lightheartedness.


I understand why "Speed Racer" was rated poorly, but I loved it. It had some creative decisions that were seen as conventional movie flaws, but its greatness outshines those.


As a student who struggles with focusing in school and a slight car enthusiast, I related to Speed. During the flashbacks of Speed as a child, he was uninterested in school and obsessed with racing. I loved this because Speed knows what he is good at, even if it goes against the fold.

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