The Wachowski brothers burst onto the scene in the late nineties with The Matrix and its sequels, which, for better or for worse, helped usher us into the new century. Whatever their flaws and whatever gender Larry/Lana is espousing this week, they sure are a pop culture sensation. And, as you’ve no doubt heard, their latest effort is a live action version of the animé classic Speed Racer.

I’ve got to hand it to them in the casting department. Emile Hirsh of The Girl Next Door probably looks more like an animé character than any other living human being – except perhaps for Christina Ricci, who plays his girlfriend. The rest of the cast is filled with interesting names like John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Richard Roundtree.

If you’re as skeptical as I am of the Wachowski brothers’ abilities, you might be interested to read the AICN script review by devoted Speed Racer fan Nordling. Though he says it’s too long and has a few technical problems, the whole thing hangs together very well and should delight Speed Racer aficiandos, as well as a new generation of kids.

I remain skeptical, but things are sounding good so far. I think we’re all justified in saying, “go, Speed Racer, go!”

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