As one of the seeming minority under age 50 who managed to grow up without ever watching Speed Racer, I approached this disc with a fresh eye--and I can report that it really is a lot of fun. Originally shown in Japan as Mach Go Go Go, then edited and adapted for American TV in 1967, Speed Racer was the first anime that many Americans ever saw. For other poor ignorant folks out there, Speed Racer is a young racecar driver with an incredible car: the Mach-5, which is equipped with many unique features--including a bulletproof canopy--and can even operate underwater! The series is full of high-octane action and slapstick fisticuffs, with high-speed road races in dangerous mountain terrain, goofy villains, girlfriend Trixie right in the middle of the action, younger brother Spritle and his monkey pal Chim Chim stowing away in any convenient space, and the mysterious Racer X popping in to save the day. This is the American version, with no Japanese language track, but the disc features a very generous 11 episodes. Given the fame of the show's theme song, I was surprised at how lame it sounded when I finally heard it--but by the fourth episode I was singing along with a smile. "Go Speed Racer, go!" Sure to appeal to more than just anime fans, this animated TV staple is recommended. Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)
Speed Racer: Collector's Edition
(1966) 275 min. DVD: $22.98. Artisan Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
Speed Racer: Collector's Edition
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