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Have you ever seen a car do kung fu? Yeah, neither have I, until I saw Speed Racer. This isn't just a movie about cars that go fast, its about cars that know how to fight. I know it sounds like a strange concept, but so did a world filled with talking cars that like to race, and that worked out pretty well for Pixar. Speed Racer is a different kind of film, which means it won't be for everyone, but if you can roll with its oddities and the unique world the Wachowskis have created, you are going to have a whole lot of fun.

Obviously the strength of this film is its visual style. It's what most people have been talking about and it's what most people will go see it for. Well, I can say that in the visuals department Speed Racer does not disappoint. You've never seen anything like this, and I'm not just talking about the racing scenes. Everything from the cars to the conversations has a unique visual style. This is the art of anime brought to life, so if you don't get anime, you probably won't get this.

This is a different kind of filmmaking, and because of that it's going to divide audiences. In the same way that Ang Lee's unique style made Hulk a film that people either loved or hated, the unique style of Speed Racer will do the same. You'll either love the constantly in-motion backgrounds, the camera sweeps and multiple angles of people talking, the bright colors and bright lighting that makes everything look like a very vivid cartoon... or you'll hate the fact that the film feels like it was made for ADD patients in order to give them something to watch that's structured in way suitable for them to follow.

After the disappointing Matrix sequels, there were some questions about whether or not the Wachowskis really were the geniuses we thought they were after seeing the original Matrix. Well, I think Speed Racer proves there's no one who can make movies quite like they do, and they have unique genius that's definitely still intact.

What I wasn't expecting from Speed Racer was some solid performances from the cast. These aren't the monotone, self-important and hushed voices and characters of the Matrix films; these characters show emotion, get excited, and express their care for each other with genuine warmth. Many may find the Racer family to be a caricature itself because we rarely see such caring families any more. I even read some reviews that felt the genuine love and care the Racers show to each lends to the cartoony feeling of the film. That's just sad, and stupid. Loving families that care for each other, that are willing to stick together, and actually like each other can and still do exist, and it was nice to see a film that was able to capture that dynamic in a genuine way... even if they live in a world completely unlike our own.

John Goodman as Pops was my favorite character. His fierce love for his family provides for some of the most moving and most comical moments in the movie. Susan Sarandon's portrayal of Mom was pitch-perfect, actually reminding me of my own mother and those tender moments when she was there to encourage me with her love and care. Christina Ricci actually looks like an anime character with her big eyes. Emil Hirsch does a solid job with Speed, who is just a good guy (which is refreshing to see in a hero for a change), and Matthew Fox is absolutely perfect as Racer X. Everyone delivers a top notch performance and understands exactly what kind of film they were in: a film that didn't take itself too seriously but still had a lot of heart. These characters are endearing and warm, and you can't help but enjoy being around them when they're on screen.

My favorite moment has to be the heart-to-heart talk Pops has with Speed when Speed is getting ready to leave. Years earlier Rex Racer, Speed's older brother, also left, and Pops warned him that if he did, he could never come back. Now, as Pops looks back on that, he realizes what a dreadful mistake that was and tells Speed that if he does leave, he should know that he can come home any time... no matter what. It's a wonderful moment where a father expresses his unconditional love for his son, and of a father learning from a mistake he made with another son that he deeply regrets.

Being a father myself, it was a scene that touched me (I got a little dust in my eye at the moment). It also reminded me in a small way of our Heavenly Father's love for us. So many people feel that God is too distant, that they've wandered too far or done too many horrible things to ever be accepted by him. But the Bible tells us that God's love for us never diminishes. He's always waiting with open arms to forgive us and love us and comfort us and care for us. In fact, that was the whole reason Jesus Christ came and died on the cross and rose from the dead, so that we could be forgiven of every sin and know a loving relationship with a Heavenly Father who would do anything (and who did do everything) to make a way for us to know his love. Just as Pops told Speed the door was always open, so God tells us that his door is always open and we can come home to him any time; and he'll be there waiting with loving, open arms.

Speed Racer isn't without its problems, however. It follows very closely to the structure of The Matrix. The film opens with some racing action and a little background on the characters, and then there's a long stretch of talking, followed by the last third of the film which is almost non-stop action. That stretch in the middle is a little overlong, and while it does a good job of establishing the characters and why the good guys have no chance of winning against the bad guys, it could have been shorter. As it is, this long span of characters just talking significantly slows the pace of the film, which is odd since the film is called Speed Racer.

The storytelling is also something that audiences may have a hard time following. While very anime in its structure, it may prove difficult for some to keep track of as flashbacks from the perspective of different characters intermingle with current events on a track where cars are racing at 800 mph. The ebb and flow of these elements are beautiful to watch, but won't be everyone's cup of tea.

Also, you can tell that the Wachowskis were really holding back in order to make a PG, family friendly film. There are a couple slip-ups that mar their goal to be family friendly. In fact, they probably should have just gone for a PG-13 rating and aimed for the slightly older super-hero crowd and thereby made many parts of the film feel more natural. Still, they did a superb job overall at making a movie for young and old alike, but discretion will still be necessary for the young.

I absolutely loved Speed Racer. It was the most fun that I've had at the movies since Transformers. The action is breathtaking, the characters endearing, the visuals absolutely mind blowing. Will it be the surprise hit of the summer? Well, to be honest, I don't think so. It's just too unique and not mainstream enough. I don't think everyone will "get" this cartoon with real people. I don't think everyone will enjoy the unique storytelling and visual elements. I don't think kids will enjoy all the talking, and I don't grown-ups will enjoy all the kid stuff.

However, for people like me who enjoy watching something new, who like feeling like a kid at the movies, who like just having fun while watching something in a darkened room with a giant screen, Speed Racer is the best thing out there right now, and I think it will remain so for several weeks to come. So I say, go see Speed Racer, go.