Anthropomorphized CGI critters zip across China to a rocking pop soundtrack and Taoist principles in Rally Road Racers, which can best be described as a Cannonball Run for kids. The premise has a cuddly wide-eyed slow loris with a need for speed thrust into a cross-country competition to save his village. He faces the world’s top racer, a ruthless cane toad with deep pockets, countless minions, and a make or break real estate deal. The film’s slick animation and groovy tunes bolsters a simple script that surprisingly wades into culture war territory. Supporting character depictions may strike a nerve for some.
Young Zhi (Jimmy O. Yang) watches as Archie Vainglorious (John Cleese) decimates cars with deadly gadgets in Australia’s Bonzer Rally. Archie easily wins as his toad “echoes” raise another trophy. Zhi causes tricycle chaos after emulating his hero in the slow loris village. His Granny Bai (Lisa Lu) yanks him by the ear for such a ruckus. She instructs him to do tai chi and stop foolish endeavors.
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Years later, a grown Zhi secretly races on the dirt track. He’s got skill but inexplicably always falters when in the lead. This problem doesn’t go unnoticed by Gnash (JK Simmons), a wise goat and local purveyor of bumper stickers. Zhi’s tai chi session with Granny Bai is interrupted by a bulldozer at their door. A toad serves an eviction warrant. Archie Vainglorious has bought their land. He plans to destroy the slow loris village and build luxury homes called Muddy Meadows.
The Silk Road Rally
Viva Pictures
Zhi treks to Vainglorious headquarters to save their home. Archie laughs at the adorable little loris with his echoes cackling in unison. Zhi bets he can beat Archie at the upcoming Silk Road Rally for the deed to the village. Archie isn’t remotely worried until he learns that Gnash has built Zhi a car. The bumper stick goat was a champion racer and mechanic before an awful tragedy.
The story has philosophical underpinnings. Granny Bai’s reasons for discouraging Zhi from racing have merit. But she also wants him to find his Tao or inner peace. Zhi isn’t content with a snail’s pace life. He uses tai chi to further his speedy ambitions. He’s got adrenaline in those slow loris veins and finally has a chance to prove it. Gnash serves as a spiritual master and sidekick who enables a hopefully victorious journey.
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Rally Road Racers delivers its message in both obvious and subtle ways. Gnash’s bumper sticker slogans pop up like a self-help tutorial. But the portrayal of certain secondary characters isn’t overt with the film’s acceptance of alternative lifestyles. Beppe (Kerry Shale), a pregnant male seahorse, and his wife (Naomi MacDonald) become Zhi’s best friends. The couple reverses traditional family roles as they prepare for the upcoming brood. Male seahorses give birth in nature and it makes sense, but still, it may cause consternation for those who don’t share the filmmakers’ value judgments.
Rally Road Racers Appeals to Youngsters
Rally Road Racers will appeal to youngsters. It’s meant for the toddler to 10-year-old crowd. They’ll get a kick out of the screwball races and goofy shenanigans. Adult toes will undeniably tap to A-ha’s 80s hit “Take on Me,” but the plot isn’t sophisticated enough for mature audiences.
Rally Road Racers is a production of Riverstone Pictures, Kintop Pictures, and Vanguard Films and Animation. It will have a May 12th theatrical release from Viva Pictures.
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