I was dubious about this film, but I really enjoyed it.
I think it would be excellent for kids as well - the colours and the fast pace would entertain anyone!
Really enjoyable easy watch.

Despite what most people say about 'Speed Racer', I found it to be a great piece of work! It's a whizzy and outrageously colourful family action romp with visually breathtaking hybrid animation and live action. The story may feel about as gripping as a videogame, but the film is pure eye candy! Kids film? This movie is a treat for all ages!

Quite possibly the worst film I have ever seen. The story is poor aswell as the acting. I know this is a kids film but compared with other kids flms this has no baring. Avoid like the plague!!!

This lasted 20 minutes in our house. My two kids, 3 and 7 lost interest after 5 minutes. There is a fairly graphic 'beating' scene and some complex flashback/flashforwards that are just not suited to kids. If you aren't a kid you will end up with an instant headache from the fast cuts and garish colours. Truly appalling.

I wanted to like it but just couldn't.
You can't polish pooh.
Making it shiny, 'slick' and loud doesn't make it not pooh.
Making it fast, shallow, easy to slide by (even kip through!) doesn't make it not pooh.
Story, characters, use of the screen, direction, pacing... all pooh.
But!
It is very shiny, fast, loud, brash and seemingly hi-tech.
I'm sure you'll read it a gazillion times in regard to this film: kids yes, adults no.
And yeah, course we're all still kids inside really, just that some of us know when someone's trying to sell us pooh dressed up as candyfloss.

Like the Wachowskis' previous efforts, this film is full of ideas - unfortunately not all of them are good. At least it has a distinctive look, but this is by far the worst script they've produced to date. I'm not sure if this was aimed for young children, but they're the only ones who will be able to fully enjoy this mess. Three stars for the look and the effort, none for the story or script.

If you're expecting another groundbreaking film like The Matrix, look elsewhere. If you're after sheer escapism and dazzling visuals, you're in for a treat.
Considering that this is ,at its heart, a very simple moralistic tale, expectations shouldn't be high to begin with. This film was a pleasant surprise: well acted, fast paced, dramatic and funny.
The races are obviously the main reason to watch the film and they don't disappoint. A couple of scenes resemble videogame graphics more than cinematic SFX but they're still of a high standard.

Don't just dismiss this as a garish kids' film... it's worth a look

When going into this film you have to keep something in mind... this is not meant to take place in the world as we know it. Speed Racer takes place in an alternate reality that has its own history, technology, landscape, people... and with this in mind the visual style is intended to emphasise this, to take us away from our understanding of reality and invest in something new. The characterisation too fits in with this, which at times can seem cheesy, but in the context of this reality, this story, it is completely appropriate.

Speed Racer is often misunderstood because people don't see it for what it is... a modern fantasy that takes place on the race track.

This film is really quite bad. The only reason i didnt give it one star is because the special effects can be good at times. Apart from that the film is too long, very cliched and cheesy and its one of those films that you watch and think to yourself "Yep ok i know exactly how this is going to end so why am i watching this again?" I think kids like it because its their version of Death Proof and they like all the loud noises and CGI (which there is too much of) so if your a parent i recommend it for your kids but dont buy it if your kids want you to watch it with them. I litrally fell asleep in the cinema.

After making the one of the most definitive sci -fi trilogys of all time and a cult classic lesbian, film noir, thriller....what do you do next?

They went and wrote v for vendetta one of the best comic book adaptations ever and then went quite but then came back with this speed racer i have not seen the anime which the film is based but i saw the trailer and loved the vibrant colours and fast paced action.

The problem with this film is that it is so colourful people are looking at this superficially which they shouldn't it is a cracking good film that kids and adults can enjoy i saw this at the cinema and i was 19 and i thought it was one of the best films of the year and easily was better than dark knight but people look past the visual style of the film please !! This is a film with a great message 'dont change who you are for other people' and in a time when kids are worrying about looks and all of this this really relevant and by god this film also entertains with the most breathtaking races shown on the silver screen

Brilliant film well acted but im a bit disappointed with the dvd thought warners would have stuck a two discer out but as the performance at the cinema wasn't brill i think they rushed this release which is a shame