Desktop Cleanup: Speed Racer

It seems like the main reason Speed Racer's dubbing is so laughable is
that Peter Fernandez, the director, wanted to remain as true to the
original script as possible - so every line is translated with such
exactitude that the only reason anyone sounds natural is because of
some truly committed work on the part of the actors - all three of
them.

But sometimes it seems like even in the original Japanese the actors
would have to be speaking as fast as possible in order to get every
line across.

...

The third episode, Challenge of the Masked Racer Part One, starts with
a narrative restraint that wasn't present anywhere in the first
episode. For about a minute, Speed and Trixie enjoy a mostly
dialog-free drive by the waterfront. Then they gasp and use the Mach
5's jump-jacks to avoid running over a wayward puppy.

We're then immediately introduced to the Masked Racer - who we all of
course know as Racer X, who we all of course know is Speed's brother -
as he supervises the transportation of his racecar, the Shooting Star,
from aboard a freighter. It's a very ambitious series of animations,
neglecting the usually dodgy perspectives and proportions the show as
a whole tends to suffer from.

Racer X is surrounded be mealy-mouthed and kind of hilarious reporters
seeking to grill the Masked Racer on his recent implications in
accidents during various races. As these ugly, fast-talking schmucks
squabble about, the Masked Racer calmly sees to his car's well-being
and drives away slowly to enough to take a brief, meaningful glance at
Speed and Trixie through his rear-view mirror.

This sequence is striking for two reasons. First, we're introduced to
a character who doesn't immediately challenge our patience and
tolerance by jabbering idiotically the moment he appears on screen.
Second, this is the first real incident of the animators trusting
the subtext of the actions we see to speak for themselves.

Over only two episodes, the visual direction has become more ambitious
and the story has developed a subtle pathos that seemed impossible
given the quality of its premiere.

I mean, before long we're reunited with the same chimp nonsense,
needlessly lengthy looped racing scenes and characters jumping to
impossible conclusions. But that's what makes Speed Racer Speed Racer.

"Meanwhile, in a secret hotel room, the secret head of the Alpha Team,
Mr. Wiley, is holding a secret conference."