So I went to see the Speed Racer movie today, and both my mom and I agreed that this was how a live-action anime film should be done. Fantasically done, it was pretty impressive they managed to pull all of this off in one movie.

Speed Racer followed the theme of standing up for yourself and doing what’s right, even in the face of the impossible, something I’m admittedly a sucker for, but it was so well executed. It wasn’t really a complex storyline, just more one of many paths, and the story-telling wasn’t always linear. But it worked and that’s the important part, Hit an emotional nerve very well, there was even one part I wanted to start crying, I was so wrapped up in it. Hitting the emotional nerve would have made or broke the movie, and I’m glad for me it made it.

The characters were all vibrant and full of personality. I liked Trixie a lot, she was full of sass, but an extremely strong female character. Sure, she had the ’stand by her man’ attitude, but she also came off as capable and intelligent. It was refreshing to see such a strong female character in an action movie. All the females in this movie were strong characters, a lovely change of pace.

So much innovation was used in this the directing style. I can’t describe the pace exactly, just can say it reminded me of Hot Fuzz. The color scheme was made to match the anime, full of bright colors.

And the car race scenes. The best part. Colorful and intense, I loved them.

I know reviewers aren’t giving this best reviews, but to be honest, I think most anime fans will enjoy it. It captured so many things for me in this film that also makes me love anime.

There is objectable content though. Several curse words, one almost toture scene, and one bloody scene, also very intense, I would not let anyone under 13 see this. I know it’s rated PG, but it should have gotten the PG-13 rating, to be honest.

To sum it all up, don’t be turned off by the reviews of this. Reviewers typically pan anime movies, but what’s off putting isn’t off putting to a fan. I actually have no idea what movie the reviewers saw, as it doesn’t compare to what I got out of the film. I’m pretty sure this will turn into a cult classic, and looked back on as a solid introduction to live-action anime in america. How well it will compare, we’ll have to see it when Dragonball Z, Akira, and Ghost in the Shell are released. But they have a lot to live up to.