This small film is no more, and no less, than what you might expect of a sports movie with young kids in it. There is no parody on the genre, no cynicism, no satire. All the typical elements of the sports film for youth are solidly in place. For instance, the protagonist is a raging young boy who’s deeply frustrated with his reality, doing his best efforts to transcend it. The adrenaline-pumping fantasy of an underdog climbing to the top, and the pure love, and the bonds that are eventually to be confirmed and established in the process are all here. I thought the era of this kind of shameless optimism came to an end long, long ago, and that’s why they don’t make a good sports film any longer. However, this film’s square naivete takes us viewers by surprise and manages to charm us. All thanks to the well-written script, neat direction, solid acting, and the unique subject which is Kart racing. Karting is the “farm-teams” for the major car races. You race with your own hand-made Kart, which is a cross between a car and a cart, equipped with hand-made engines. The Kart race plays a critical role in raising and discovering the racers of the future, and in this movie, the kart is as big a hero as any of the main characters. Cool racing scenes feel quite real and convincing and the boy’s frustrations are just painful enough to give the final victory the necessary sweetness. Old Vic’s reconciliation with his own life through his son’s achievement is convincing enough not to break the spell of identification. All these race towards an ending that’s purely cathartic. Now, what more do you want in a sports film? (KIM Sun-hyung)