For years the internet has demanded and anticipated the day that Speed Racer, aka one of the best car-centric movies ever, hits store shelves on 4K UHD. There was a stretch of time where all we had were those hopes; a drought that ended at the beginning of this year. Sure enough those early reports were correct, and The Wachowski’s anime-adapting masterpiece is about to get the home release its prolonged reappreciation deserves.
Speed Racer Will Finally Cross The 4K Finish Line
Today’s announcement is the victory lap we’ve been waiting for since The Digital Bits’ Bill Hunt broke the scoop. The home media stalwart had heard from unnamed sources that this day would be coming, and thanks to Warner Bros Home Entertainment’s official press release, I can proudly say that May 19th is the date we’ve been waiting for.
What’s more, we now have these confirmed special features for this hotly tipped title. I don’t know about the rest of you, but the first entry shown below alone has me ready to pre-order:
- FAST / FUTURE / FAMILY: SPEED RACER (NEW) In this exclusive interview, the Wachowskis revisit the film’s joyful genesis, its dazzling craft, and its second life as a cult classic.
- Spritle in the Big Leagues!
- Speed Racer: Ramping Up!
- Speed Racer: Supercharged!
- Speed Racer: Car-Fu Cinema
- Speed Racer: Wonderful World of Racing, The Amazing Racer Family
Yes my fellow completionists, that last feature you just saw is the Target exclusive mockumentary, included with Speed Racer’s original home release. Also, as you can tell with the photo above, there is a standard and Steelbook version of the picture that are now flashing around for pre-order.
However, if you’re a superfan of The Wachowski’s underrated classic, you may want to import the UK’s Limited Edition box set. Shown below, this beautiful bundle is already selling out through some retailers, and understandably so:
Oh but wait, there’s more! Why keep the fun on the couch, when Speed Racer can head back to where it really belongs?!
Go, Speed Racer, Go…To Theaters!
Ok skeptics and late-comers: I have another present from Warner Bros. to bring to your attention. I know not everyone sped to their closest theater (or in my case, the IMAX at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City) to see Speed Racer back in 2008. The summer of Iron Man and The Dark Knight saw Racer Motors outpaced by both, thanks to being released in the gap between both super hero milestones.
It’s ok, it’s not like you missed a transformative masterpiece in hypercolored maximalism, car-fu, and live-action anime done right that wore its heart on its sleeve. Snark aside, Speed Racer is going back to the big screen, that news coming from this portion of Warner Bros’ press release:
Warner Bros. Pictures, in partnership with Flashback Cinema, will also present special theatrical screenings of Speed Racer the week of April 25 in 225 locations across the U.S.
The only way I could see this news getting any better is if Speed Racer were to make a surprise appearance in IMAX, or 4DX theaters, in beautiful 3D. Premium format is really where this movie lives; but I suppose we might get something along those lines for the 20th anniversary in 2028. Provided, of course, this new home/theatrical push is as popular as Warner Bros. hopes.
For those of you playing along at home, that is indeed a Saturday. Having the chance to see the Mach 5 speeding onto the silver screen, on the day when cartoons used to be king, is practically perfect. Early showtimes have started to sprout up, so if you’re really ready to jump at this opportunity, start scouring your local listings.
Speed Racer returns in theaters on April 25th, with its 4K UHD and digital home debut slated for May 19th. And as always, keep an eye on the THS Movie News Archives, for the latest and greatest in pop culture.
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