Ah, the child in me resurfaces just in time to watch the latest offering from Pixar and Disney. Usually, the inner child shines through after drinking like a NYC hobo, but this time it was in anticipation of Cars. I love being a kid!
This time around, the story revolves around a egotistical race car named Lightning McQueen — a rookie in the Piston Cup Stock Car Racing Series. Now of course the plot isn’t particularly original; guy is self-centered, he realizes as the movie progresses that he indeed needs others around him to make his dreams come true . . . What sets Cars apart is most obviously the animation. Here again we have a masterful demonstration of what CGI can do in the right hands. The colors are vibrant. The scenery is well thought out, most pleasing is the fact that there is action is the background — this shows the animators really thought out the project. No stationary shit here. It’s also funny to see how the world is setup to accommodate cars as humans — garages as hotels, oil and gas as beverages, etc.
Of course, an animated picture also relies heavily on the voice acting. The nasally, boy-eyed wonderment voice of Owen Wilson as McQueen was well cast. More surprising was Larry The Cable Guy as Mater. His stand-up is rather weak, but he was definitely a shoe-in for a redneck, good ‘ole boy. Even his “Git er done” moniker fit well!
Another surprise is Cars isn’t just a stupid animated NASCAR flick. I cringed at the thought this may be a mindless, drive around an oval kind of movie (if you know me, you’ll see the irony). But alas, relief came swiftly. Although Cars relies heavily on the race inspired theme (it is called Cars, afterall), there is plenty of side themes and distractions to make this movie more well rounded and enjoyable for the non race fans (sinners). You’ll definitely get a kick out of the tractor tipping scenes.
Cars is well worth your time and money. Not only will your inner child resurface but your kids will have a blast as well. Well done Pixar — after seven high exposure feature films, you haven’t missed a beat (wish other movie studios would think about this before dumping more shit our way).
'Movie Review: Cars (2006)' have 5 comments
June 28, 2006 @ 10:41 am Cannabis Corpus
Pixar in it’s tradition of making par excellence animation came out with yet another offering. The story is a tad bit cliched in the fact that it is the same ol’ formula that transformed a cocky guy/car finds himself in Radiator Springs and then becomes less cocky because he has found something he hasn’t had. Surprisingly enough that is the only problem I had with the film.
As per Mr.Catena’s previous statement, what’s so notable about this movie is, without a doubt, its technical achievements—this particular facet that perhaps blows all other Pixar movies out of the water. Showcasing crisp, vibrant and almost real-life animation, some scenes make you forget you’re watching just a 3D animation. Racing scenes appear so real you’ll experience the exhilaration of watching a real racing yourself (or even better). Owen Wilson as McQueen and Paul Newman as the doctor/judge, the voice talent is perfectly cast especially Larry the Cable guy as the hillbilly tow truck who is quick to christen himself as McQueen’s best friend. By the way Michael Schumacher, the Ace German Formula 1 racing legend, is also cast as himself this time as a Ferrari appearing in the late part including some of the greatest names in the racing world.
The only downside to this movie is that it tends to drag a little bit in the middle and you get disengaged from the movie for that bit.
As a piece of fast-speed and high-quality entertainment, Pixar’s Cars is the best fun you’ll have all year. As a last word to the wise, be sure to stick around during the credits. It’ll be worth your time just as much as the rest of the film was.
June 4, 2007 @ 12:21 pm Norcal
A pretty good movie. I think most parents will be able to comfortable sit through it and maybe even enjoy it.
Mostly a kid movie, but good enough for adults too. I especially liked the tow truck Ta-Mater (without the Ta-) :)
May 11, 2008 @ 9:09 pm Ojay
I love Pixar, but Cars bored the crackers out of me. However I was down with a bad case of the flu when the kids rented it from Blockbuster. Perhaps, if I had seen in under different circumstances, I would have thought differently. If it’s mostly a kid movie, as Norcal said, I won’t bother renting it again just for myself.
December 6, 2008 @ 8:18 pm Redding
Pretty good movie. Not one that I’ll want to sit through again though. As “Norcal” mentioned, mostly a kids movie. (well, it is a cartoon, what do you expect)
January 18, 2010 @ 6:37 am jenny
Myself and my kids love that movie! I think it really shows how hard work and good friendships are virtuous.