The plot: Speed Racer embarks on a deadly race known as “The Crucible” to not only to pay tribute to his late brother, but to get back at the evil Royalton corporation whom are fixing races (among other things).

It’s not hard to see why “Speed Racer” bombed. Aside from children and fans of the original series, there really wasn’t a large audience for ‘Speed’ during this past busy summer film season. It’s a good thing audiences had the good sense to stay away too as‘Racer’ is one mess of a movie.

 I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, live action adaptations of a cartoon or anime series seldom work. “Matrix” trilogy directors the Wachowski Brothers can use as much fancy special effects as they want to make it visually pleasing, but it doesn’t hide the fact that the movie is a self indulgent, bloated, tiresome blockbuster that does little more than make you dizzy and give you a splitting headache.

Additionally, I think the single worst thing about ‘Speed’ is that I wouldn’t have even liked this movie as a child. Does any child honestly care about long sequences involving a Corporation? I seriously doubt anyone, let alone a child, would want to sit through that and they shouldn’t. Children (and fans of the series) deserve better than what the Wachowski’s delivered.

The widescreen picture quality is merely so-so. The picture looks a bit fuzzy at times and the colors bleed together in certain scenes, but overall this is a decent transfer. However, this is the type of film that is really meant for Hi-Def.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is fine. The racing scenes in particular sounded great.

Extras:

* “Spritle In The Big Leagues” (15 mins.)- A goofy featurette following the child actor Paulie giving a set tour of sorts. Pop up facts.

* Warner trailers.

* Digital copy option.

* Speed Racer: Supercharged! is a15 minute featurette on the fictional vehicles.