`Speed Racer' gets the checkered flag.

Byline: Daniel M. Kimmel

COLUMN: MOVIE REVIEW

Film critics are like anyone else. We have our likes and dislikes, and although we try to be objective, sometimes there's a sense that a movie is going to be a turkey long before it arrives. Often that's the case, but the actual film sometimes turns out to be much better than expected. That happens just often enough to prevent terminal cynicism from settling in.

Such is the case with "Speed Racer." Sight unseen, there are all sorts of reasons it shouldn't work. It's a live action version of a Japanese television cartoon series from the 1960s. It's completely driven by its computer graphics and special effects to the point that most of the "sets" don't really exist. And it's written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, who were the brothers behind "The Matrix" trilogy, for better and for worse.

In fact, "Speed Racer" turns out to be the first big surprise of the summer movie season. To be sure, it's a candy-coated blockbuster, to be enjoyed with a tub of popcorn and the beverage of your choice.

If you're willing to sit back and go with the flow, this is a movie with a lot of heart, a little intelligence, and a generous bit of humor. Add a cast much too good for a movie like this, and the result is a surprisingly entertaining film.

The story piles cliche upon cliche. Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) has wanted to be a racecar driver since he was a boy. His older brother Rex (Scott Porter) walked out on the family years before, dying under mysterious circumstances, but Speed still idolizes him. Speed races the cars his dad (John Goodman) builds. His success attracts the attention of billionaire businessman Royalton (Roger Allam), who wants Speed to race for him. The film is essentially a series of races and adventures leading to the ultimate contest where Speed will battle Royalton's drivers. However, with mom (Susan Sarandon), his girl friend (Christina Ricci), and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) all in his corner, you can bet who's going to be drinking milk on Victory Lane.

The plot is nothing you haven't seen before, essentially pitting the little guys against the bullies, the corporations and the criminals. "Speed Racer" doesn't pretend to be anything more than pure escapism. What the Wachowskis show here is that if such movies are done right, even jaded film critics can end up having a good time.

`Speed Racer'

***

A Warner Bros. Pictures presentation

Rating: PG for sequences of action, some violence and language

Running time: 2 hours, 9 minutes

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Emile Hirsch, left, as Speed Racer and Christina Ricci as Trixie in " Speed Racer."