Summer 2008 saw two tentpole adaptations go head to head: Iron Man and Speed Racer, both of which unexpectedly shaped today’s cinematic landscape. Releasing a week after the MCU’s debut certainly didn’t do Speed Racer any favors; nevertheless, it’s the latter film that has arguably prevailed as the more prescient of the two.
Speed Racer wastes little time in plunging audiences into its death-defying neon circuits and rapid-fire storytelling. Indeed, the Wachowskis barely wait for the chequered flag of the opening credits to settle before making their bold statement of intent.
