* * * 1/2

Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman. Written by Larry Wachowski and Andy Wachowski, from the animated series by Tatsuo Yoshida. Directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski. Rated PG. 135 minutes. Warner Brothers.

Speed Racer, the much-anticipated visual extravaganza from The Wachowski Brothers, is an epic and imaginative conceptual stunt disguised as a family film, that takes the language of film in thrilling new directions while playing it pedestrian with a routine story. The ingenious movie, which will undoubtedly irk most audiences—too long for small children, too simplistic for adults—is a major visual trip. And after all, aren’t movies about images in the first place?

Speed Racer is Larry and Andy Wachowski’s first time behind the camera since The Matrix Trilogy, and compared to that landmark series, Speed Racer is much less ambitious in storytelling and theme, but just as loaded with visual pizzazz. And that’s part of the problem here. It’s a movie that thrills us with its images and style, and in keeping the story as formula, comes off as a hot and cold experience.

A pet project for the directors who were fans of the cult animated TV series Speed Racer, the story of the film is simplicity—a young racer named Speed (Emile Hirsch), obsessed with the sport since a wee age and living in the shadow of an older brother (Scott Porter) who perished a in fiery crash during the Crucible, the most difficult race in existence, is courted by corrupt Royalton Industries to join their professional racing team.

Soon he discovers that they are responsible for fixing the big races, a disillusioning blow that leads him to—you guessed it, the Crucible—with the aid of budding love and helio-pilot Trixie (Christina Ricci), concerned parents (Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, who both have nice counseling scenes with their young prodigy), younger brother and pet chimp.

None of that matters much because this dizzying, surreal, color-coated fever dream is first and foremost about its winding tracks, fantastic CGI, elaborate sets, stunning landscapes, super-saturated hues and nearly head-ache inducing pace. There are visual layers upon layers upon layers in each scene, state of the art stuff in one of the best looking films in recent years.

Some may complain that Speed Racer is an overlong (135 minute), empty trip, but no matter. If you’re interested at all in great visual beauty in film, by all means check your brain and go along for Speed Racer’s thrill ride. You may disagree with what the Wachowskis have gone for here, but you certainly can’t fault their execution. They got exactly what they wanted, and the result is a giddy, delirious, over-the-top, inventive, out-of-this-world trip. Do I think Speed Racer is a great film? Nope. Did I love watching it pass by? You bet.

- Lee Shoquist

lee@atnzone.com