Last week I covered "Iron Man." Now Summer Movie Traffic Cop takes on the next potential blockbuster on the Hollywood horizon: "Speed Racer," which opens today in theaters nationwide.

The Wachowski Brothers have souped up the original cartoon, creating an ultra-bright, whiz-bangy, PG-rated adventure that's (allegedly) for the whole family. The movie has its faults, including a plot that can get a little convoluted. But a boy at a recent preview screening could barely contain himself, bopping up and down and banging his knees together during every racing and fight scene. And if that means anything, then your kids may love this ... assuming the content passes parental muster. Now, a traffic cop breakdown:

'Speed Racer's' Summer Movie Traffic Violations:

 --Violence, although mostly of the (no surprise) cartoonish variety. However, some characters brandish guns and there is an intense scene involving barracudas. (Yeah, I said barracudas.)

--This won't surprise anyone with a cursory knowledge of the cartoon, but a major character loses a sibling and deals with major grief.

--The youngest character in the movie, Spritle, gives someone the middle finger.

--For a PG, the language veers toward the crude; characters liberally use the word ass and two s-bombs are dropped, one bleeped, one not.

Reasons to Let 'Speed Racer Off With a Warning:

--The romance between Speed and Trixie is handled very tastefully and with an awareness that some kids will consider it "cootie-rific."

--The cast is excellent, particularly Susan Sarandon as Speed's mom and Matthew Fox as the elusive Racer X. (Props, too, to Scott Porter of "Friday Night Lights," who plays young Rex.)

--The overarching messages -- that family must stick together and that what a child dreams, a child can become -- should be welcomed by parents.

Final Ruling:

The violence and the crude language are disheartening since "Speed" is marketed to very young children. Still, for older kids this will make a fun matinee.

 A Red Light for Kids 6 and Under

A Yellow Light for 7-Year-Olds

A Green Light for Viewers 8 and Older

Credit: Warner Bros.