Comments on: Box Office Tracking: Iron Man $60M+ opening weekend, Speed Racer on a slow track

By: Manfred Powell

Manfred Powell — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:28:50 +0000

Early Speed Racer reviews have actually been markedly better than those for Iron Man.

Iron Man has had reported problems with pacing, a sub-par musical score, and complaints that all the best bits have been shown in the trailers.

By contrast, Speed Racer is said to be superb family fun that works on every single level (”another Toy Story“, according to Alex Billington), and there are apparently plenty of surprises left in the film that have not been shown in the trailers.

Under 25s are an interesting market to sell to. I think most of them haven’t seen enough movies to realise that the “darker” movies this Summer (i.e. ones with low key lighting and a focus on “realism”…ooh la la!) are the ones that are much more run-of-the-mill, and that Speed Racer will actually be offering the most unique experience of the lot.

Plus, I think there’s a bit of a macho thing as well - guys in their teens and twenties don’t want to be seen walking into a colourful kid’s movie :-D

By: sean coates

sean coates — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:30:31 +0000

SPEED RACER ON MUSHROOMS in IMAX .is the only way to see this film !!!!

By: gah

gah — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:50:49 +0000

It’s not suprising about Speed Racer. I wouldn’t be completely suprised if Iron Man does #1 two weeks in a row due to strong word of mouth. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

By: Chump Force 1

Chump Force 1 — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:19:20 +0000

Can someone kindly explain what un-aided and total awareness menas?

By: south texas terror

south texas terror — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:47:15 +0000

I love the sarcastic superhero and Downey Jr. plays it well. Speed Racer doesn’t catch my attention at all. F-Zero + Willy Wonka = Speedracer.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:50:18 +0000

I’m in that under 25 crowd, and every time I’m hanging out with people and something Speed Racer related comes on the tv, the channel is changed. The irk I have with the film already is that it just seems… almost too cartoonish for me to take seriously and actually give it a chance. The visuals look cool (except when they’re racing in the desert, the backgrounds are so bland), but there’s just something to the bombardment of colors and CGI up in my face constantly that I don’t like. I assume that this is why others in my age group aren’t jumping on board.

By: joshmayhoo

joshmayhoo — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:22:05 +0000

Iron Man looks fantastic. That’s pretty obvious.

Speed Racer looks cool as hell to me. It’s interesting to see that it’s struggling in the under 25 demo though. From the looks of it, it seems like kids should eat it up, regardless of if they are familiar with Speed Racer or not. I can’t wait for either.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:22:24 +0000

The film looks good in the coming attractions. Robert Downey Jr., is superb in the trailers. The effects look great. I think this will do very, very well with critics and at the box office.