Note: If you reached this post because you were searching for information regarding a sequel to Cars, well, you are in luck, sort of. On 10 April 2008, Disney Pixar announced that a sequel to Cars will be made. This post however, is a second review for the original film bringing out more details for those fans of the film. You will have to wait, unfortunately, until 2012 for the sequel. In the meantime, enjoy reading about and commenting on the original or promoting your ideas for what you'd love to see in the sequel below!
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Review #173 of 365
Film: Cars [G] 117 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $14.75
Where Viewed: Metropolitan Metrolux 14, Loveland, CO
When 2nd Seen: 4 July 2006
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Haddon T. of Atlanta, GA and Rob S. of Faribault, MN
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
What a wonderful film to see for the second time on the 4th of July. (see first review) Thus far this year, Hollywood has yet to release a film that captures the imagination and positive hope for the future more than does Pixar Animated Studio's last film as an independent company (it was merged into the Disney® empire earlier this year), and that film is Cars. If you have yet to see it, I cannot imagine what you are waiting for. If my first review for the film did not serve as sufficient motivation to get you to rev your engines, put your foot on the gas pedal, and travel at or below the speed limit to the theatre, then let this one be the spark plug. Folks, this is an all-American movie from bumper to bumper. A romantic trip through time down Route 66—by far the most famous route in American history—Cars will take you by complete surprise. Just because it's a G-rated, animated film doesn't mean it's just for kids or you cannot go see this as a great date movie. Shoot, I've seen it twice by myself and loved every minute of it. It starts off with an incredible piece of animation of stock cars racing around the track at top speed that turn out to be the internal motivational images used by the film's star car, Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson). He then enters the track for the final race of the Piston Cup Challenge at the Motor Speedway of the South. The race turns out to be one between a Legend, a perpetual runner-up, and a rookie, that has a fantastic photo finish as the arrogant McQueen refuses to get new tires and nearly blows a one-lap lead in the final second of the race. Engage your shock absorbers, and pull your stomach out of your trunk, because there's going to have to be a race off in California in a week. Check your brakes, charge up your battery, be sure your radiator is full, put your gear shift in drive, and prepare for a long pit stop due to McQueen's over zealous and selfish nature that put his Mack Truck hauler to sleep on the road causing him to loose McQueen and Mc Queen to end up in the town of Radiator Springs off the Interstate and on old Route 66—a road built back, as Porsche Bonnie Carrerra says in the film, when, "roads used to move with the land, not cut through it and people used to drive not to make good time, but to have a good time".
A mishap leads to him doing major damage to the forgotten town's main road and a sentencing to 5 days of community service repairing the damage he did using the town's asphalt machine, Bessie. Prepare to see those five days change the fan belt on Lightning McQueen forever, as he makes the first real friends of his life and ultimately discovers what it means to be a great hero. This is one of the first animated films from the Disney / Pixar house that works its moral magic without juxtaposing the hero against a terrible villain. There is only even one part in the entire movie that is mildly scary. It happens when Lightning and his new pal Tow-Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) go Tractor Tipping (which is also the only really unsavory part of the film)and get chased by a combine with bull-like tendencies. Other than that, this film is all about finding the good in yourself, then giving more to others than you receive, and respecting the contributions of previous generations. Truly an outstanding story by this huge team of writers--story by: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, & Jorgen Klubien, with the screen play being credited to: Dan Fogelman, John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Kiel Murray, Phil Lorin, and Jorgen Klubien, with additional screenplay material by Robert L. Baird, Dan Gerson, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, and Steve Purcell, and additional dialogue by Pete Docter—sometimes it really does take a village to make something truly special. This film will inspire, warm your heart, and genuinely surprise you. I know a lot of people think that once they are over 12 years old, animated films, in general, and Disney films in specific, are no longer for them. Hogwash! Cars is for everyone of all ages. Funny, charming, adorable, incredible, this film is an instant classic for a new age in which we conquer our enemies within such that we may live a life of purpose beyond greed and self-importance. This film is truly a remarkable achievement in cinematic animated glory too with some of the most incredibly realistic landscapes ever rendered. So, take your foot off the brakes, turn on your headlights, engage your hybrid electric/gas engine and get to the nearest Drive-In theatre to see this wonderful film! You'll love it!
"Cars is for everyone of all ages. Funny, charming, adorable, incredible, this film is an instant classic for a new age in which we conquer our enemies within such that we may live a life of purpose beyond greed and self-importance."
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Cars(2006) DVD
Cars (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2006) DVD
Pixar Movies: Toy Story • A Bug's Life • Toy Story 2
Monsters, Inc. • Finding Nemo • The Incredibles
Films Starring: Owen Wilson • Paul Newman • Bonnie Hunt
Larry the Cable Guy • Cheech Marin • Tony Shalhoub
George Carlin • John Ratzenberger • Michael Keaton
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Review-lite [150-word cap]
From Green to Checkered flag, Disney®-Pixar's® film, Cars, is one of the best animated films of all time. Along Route 66, on the way to a race season tie-breaker, rookie stock car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) finds himself sentenced to 5 days of community service in Radiator Springs. Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Larry the Cable Guy along with some of the most beautifully rendered computer animation ever seen, all play roles in this imaginative tale driving Lightning to learn what it means to be a true friend, how to give more than receive, how to warm the heart of a town, how to treasure our elders, and how to be a hero. Incredibly fresh and inventive story material, pure imagination brought to life, this is a G-rated film that actually is G-rated. For a nation in love with automobiles, Cars is the perfect vehicle for showing our affection.
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