I think a lot of this applies to movies based upon previously existing fiction as well. I don't care how historically accurate movies are. I don't care how loyal a movie is to its source material. Movies are a launching pad to deeper aesthetic and philosophical concerns.

I agree. Meandering plot does no favors for Speed Racer's legacy, especially if viewed solely as a children's film. But you know what does it a big favor? Breathtaking visuals. It's some of the last, best big budget Hollywood CG spectacle ever designed before the unfortunate 3D fad began a year later.

Agreed it's too early re Jupiter Ascending. You're dead wrong about Speed Racer—if anything, people complain the plot is too meandering. That doesn't make it absent. Using the word literally doesn't make you more correct, either.

Unless the incoherent mess previously existed in comic book form. Then it's awesome!

It's amazing how people will rally around the ugliest special effects movies (The Avengers, Edge of Tomorrow), but when a special effects picture has aesthetic qualities (like Speed Racer, and judging from that trailer, Jupiter Ascending), they scoff. Audiences are dumb.