To some it may be hard to believe a maximalist masterpiece by The Wachowskis could fail in the mid-Aughts. However, that’s sadly what happened during the release of 2008’s Speed Racer. Pretty much laughed off upon its original debut, time has been exceedingly kind to The Wachowski’s masterpiece in maximalism. The results of the picture’s recent IMAX re-release show just how success pairs well with the Racer family saga.
With a heading to shelves with a 4K restoration, the racing family drama starring Emile Hirsch stands to expand its audience even further. But as he reflected in an interview promoting that release, there was one important reason that Speed Racer kind of had to fail.
Fans Of The Matrix Were Expecting A Totally Different Speed Racer
I never thought I’d have the chance to do interviews for Speed Racer; seeing as this picture dropped years before I entered the realm of entertainment journalism. However, the good folks at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment made this dream come true for a second time – thanks to an offer to interview Mr. Hirsch for That Hollywood Show.
In that conversation, I mentioned the fact that if it wasn’t for Iron Man and The Dark Knight flanking Speed Racer, the film might have had a better chance. However, in this sit down, Emile Hirsch highlights this major factor that adds this fresh angle of appreciation:
[In addition to] the idea that we were sandwiched between those two movies, I think the other thing is everyone who loved The Matrix, they wanted that dark aesthetic. That’s what they expected.
Like it or not, the dark and gritty wave of cinema that took hold at the turn of the 21st century was thanks to The Matrix being such an iconic hit out the gate. While that set the table for the tide that would eventually make for Speed Racer’s choppy box office waters, Lana and Lily Wachowski didn’t shoehorn the anime they loved into a Matrix shaped box – and for very good reason.
Speed Racer Stayed True To Its Source Material, Much To Fans’ Chagrin
Considering that Speed Racer was kicking around Warner Bros. for almost two decades before it was made, the finished product was far from guaranteed. The fact that it initially didn’t resonate with audiences as intended is still a disappointment; especially considering its contrast to the comic book blockbusters that would usher that niche’s golden era into the cineplex.
What makes that fact even more insane is that The Wachowskis could have totally gone grimdark with Speed Racer. That choice would have done a disservice to the source material, no matter how much of the box office it conquered. It was a loyalty that came at a financial cost, which led to the dissonance that Emile Hirsch further highlights below:
You can’t do that with Speed Racer; that’d be weird. That wouldn’t work. Those worlds are not compatible. … [Matrix fans] wanted the darkness, or something like that, and when they didn’t get it, there was this natural [grumbling].
Perhaps the most fitting note to end this piece on is the fact that Speed Racer absolutely fits into the overall filmography of Lana and Lily Wachowski. And the movie that best reflects that reality is, surprisingly, a Matrix sequel.
Even The Matrix Franchise Came Around To Speed Racer’s Heartfelt Ethos
Upon the release of The Matrix Resurrections, director/co-writer Lana Wachowski shocked the world yet again. In a movie that seemed to reject fan’s ideas of what the long anticipated legacy-quel should be, Lana tackled grief, pop culture expectations, and franchise storytelling in a very meta package.
I get why fans were upset by Resurrections‘ story; but thinking about how both siblings let Speed Racer be the film it has to be, The Matrix‘s fourth chapter makes a hell of a lot more sense. For either of those movies to truly “succeed,” they needed to play out with their hearts on their sleeves.
In that sense, both the story of the Racer Family and Matrix 4 share a common thread. Skewering big business with the notion that true storytelling embraces a more organic approach, their message is clear – do it with heart, or don’t do it at all. That sort of attitude, while running counter to audience expectations, makes for work that artists like The Wachowskis can stand behind for all time.
Speed Racer Is The True Sacred Text Of The Wachowskis’ Filmography
As someone who loves The Matrix, I would argue that this adaptation of a ‘60s anime classic is the true masterpiece of The Wachowskis’ oeuvre. Revisiting Speed Racer in IMAX last month only further confirmed my love for what this thrill ride stands for. Emile Hirsch certainly understood that back in the day, through his portrayal of the earnest boy scout who lends his name to the title.
It’s good to see that even after almost 20 years, he still understands that this attitude was the key to making a movie that may have lost a lap at the start, but has roared back to claim colorful victory. Whether you’re a Racer Family devotee, or want to give this pop art gem a proper chance in 4K, Speed Racer will be available in 4K UHD, both digitally and in physical release, on May 19th. And as always, for all of the latest and greatest in pop culture, race over to THS’ Movie News archives, and see what’s mach-a-go-going on in showbiz!
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