"Speed Racer" ** (out of four): The Wachowski brothers adapt the classic 60s cartoon as a candy-colored visual sugar-rush that, despite its name, takes a while to cross the finish line.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I was not a loyal viewer of the 60s animated series "Speed Racer". Nevertheless, I do appreciate its pop cultural influences, particularly when it comes to the introduction of anime - and that catchy "Go Speed Racer Go" theme song - to Western audiences. So it was with fresh eyes that I sat down to watch the Wachowski brothers' candy-colored, CGI-laden visualization of the series, their first feature film since the end of the "Matrix" trilogy. "Speed Racer" originated in Japan as a manga comic by Tatsuo Yoshida. It was adapted as an anime series called "Mach GoGoGo" which came to American audiences in the late 60s with a new name and Western voices. Now that the Wachowskis have adapted the story for the big screen (and even bigger budget), I can't help but feel that something has gotten lost in translation.

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