Go Speed Racer? No?

The Wachowski brothers, famous for such violent, sexy and edgy movies as The Matrix and V For Vendetta, have come back to direct Speed Racer. They have utilized their eye for action to direct … a children's movie.

To be fair, Speed Racer was a cartoon in the early '80s, so the main audience then was kids. But those kids are all grown up now, some with kids of their own. The Wachowskis could have easily re-envisioned the franchise for those who still remember all the halting dialogue and "Ah!" moments of the original.

Unfortunately, they went the other route and simply updated the show's core elements for today's young ones. If you are looking for a morality tale, Speed Racer's your movie; if you wanted a Matrix with cars - not so much.

However, the Wachowskis can still direct an action sequence, and Speed Racer has three race centerpieces. Each race Speed takes a part in is genuinely exciting.

He uses his car as a weapon, spinning it like a top, throwing it into impossible loops and hairpin turns. If you're willing to suspend belief for 134 minutes, these races will, no doubt, impress you.

Each race sequence carries the excitement throughout; you rarely get a chance to lean back in your chair. The sense of speed is undeniable. The film says the cars go in excess of 800 mph, and after watching the races, you believe it.

It's a credit to the directors that nothing onscreen feels unruly. For all the crazy flipping, spinning and vehicular assaults, the action is presented in a fluid and easy-to-digest manner.

This tasteful action sequencing carries over to the fight scenes, and yes, Speed Racer has fight scenes. While there is only a handful, the Wachowski's haven't gotten rusty since their Matrix days.

Lots of crazy kicking and flipping is involved, but it's very stylish. All of this is interspersed with some juvenile humor to lighten the mood and remind you that, yes, you are still watching a children's movie.

Too bad the same can't be said for the plot. The overdone "little guy fights an evil corporation" plot just screams children's movie. The morals of sticking to your guns and holding your family close reinforce that fact.

Even the humor, mostly provided by Speed's younger brother Spritle and his monkey Chim Chim, is total child's play. It can garner a chuckle or two at times - your younger brother will eat this stuff up - but mostly it just makes you roll your eyes and wish the next race was starting.

Speed Racer hits all the right notes for its intended audience, but for anyone who remembers the show but doesn't have a younger relative, it's a flop.

Go see it in the cheap theaters for the race sequences, but don't shell out full price unless you drag your younger brother with you and make the parents pay. Your wallet will thank you, Ah!!!