SUMMARY:

Race car Lighting McQueen (Owen Wilson) has gone from rookie to Piston Cup championship contender in a single racing season. After finishing as part of a three-way tie, the cocky Lightning is going to California for a final race between the three contenders. But on the way, he is sidetracked into a dead little town, forgotten when the interstate passed it by. Lightning gets a real dose of small town values when he is sentenced to remain there to complete community service by re-surfacing the road.

STEVE SAYS:

Studio heads should be paying homage to John Lassiter and his Pixar crew in order to find out their secret for turning out first rate family entertainment that has, without missing a beat, repeatedly left audiences satisfied and wanting more. Their streak since their first feature, TOY STORY, remains unbroken, although CARS is not their strongest effort. Still, it plucks all the right heartstrings at all the right times.

Of all the Pixar films, this is the least original in story concept. Indeed, CARS might function as an animated remake of 1991’s DOC HOLLYWOOD, featuring the anthropomorphic autos in place of Michael J. Fox and company. It’s virtually the same tale. But that having been said, CARS finds dozens of ways to put its own spin on the story of a brash big city blowhard learning about life through the values of a small town full of people...or in this case, vehicles.

John Lassiter is back in the director’s chair for the first time since TOY STORY 2 and his touch is unmistakable. Visually, he has given us a film that is a feast for the eyes. Each succeeding Pixar film has broken new ground in computer animation and CARS continues the trend. Indeed, if the cars didn’t have eyes in their windshields, mouths in their grilles and gesture with their wheels, this could almost pass for a live action film.

Owen Wilson does a fine job as Lightning McQueen, though the similarity in storyline to DOC HOLLYWOOD kept me wondering how Michael J. Fox might have fared in the role. I initially assumed that the name McQueen was in honor of the late Steve McQueen, well known for his affinity for fast cars. But it turns out the name was used to honor Pixar animator Glenn McQueen, who died in 2002.

For the supporting cast, Pixar has assembled its usual strong line-up of first rate actors to bring life to its characters. Bonnie Hunt vocalizes Lightning’s love interest, a beautiful powder-blue Porsche named Sally Carrera. Paul Newman is the crusty town doctor/judge who hides a secret past, uncovered by Lightning. The race car’s side-kick is a rusty tow truck named Mater, ably voiced by comedian Larry the Cable Guy. Perfectly cast as a 60’s relic hippy-dippy VW bus is George CARlin.  John Ratzenberger voices the Mack truck assigned to haul Lightning to California. In the movie’s closing credit sequence, which should not be missed, there is a nice little goof on the fact that Ratzenberger has been in every Pixar film.

It’s always rare to find dependable entertainment for the kids that their parents can savor as well, but that seems to be the hallmark of all Pixar films. CARS is no exception and if you enjoyed the TOY STORY movies, A BUG’S LIFE, THE INCREDIBLES, FINDING NEMO and MONSTERS, INC., chances are you’ll love CARS.

* * * *

PATTY SAYS:

Next to thongs sticking out of low-riding jeans,  gum smacking,  camel toes in tight pants and Confederate flag mud flaps, nothing says tacky clearer than NASCAR.  I know, I know....to some of you a well executed bump and run is a religious experience.  I don’t get it and....I don’t want to.  I’m fine not knowing Kurt Busch from George Bush but I suspect one might make as good a leader as the other....meaning no disrespect to Mr. Busch.

I like bugs, I like toys, I like fish and who wouldn’t like those adorable monsters?  But animated cars....well, I can take them or leave them.  In real life, I appreciate function more than form when it comes to transportation so I’m just not impressed by cars that go fast, are so big that I can’t see over them when I’m behind them in traffic or take up two spaces in the parking lot.  So you can see why I wasn’t all that excited to go see CARS.  It isn’t my animation genre. 

In spite of all of my protestation, I found the film entertaining.  There were those  little adult innuendos that keep us parents lucid while the children have lots of cute characters to keep them engaged.  The animation is gorgeous.  The difference between the old animated films and the contemporary ones is that the latter are more detailed of course, but it’s the color that really drives me wild.  I love the vivid, striking hues.

The voice talent is wasted on me.  While we are watching TV commercials, Steve will say, “Do you know who’s doing that voiceover?”  I never know.  Sometimes, after he tells me, I can visualize the person talking and I get it.  I never know who it is when I’m in the theater until I read the credits.  Even voices that are distinctive like George Carlin’s are lost on me.  Aside from the mellow roll of Owen Wilson’s voice, I didn’t recognize any of the voice talent.  So Disney....quit paying all the big bucks to name stars and scout out some yet-to-be discovered voice talent because me n’ the kids won’t know the difference.

The story was cute, the stars did a great job and I had a good time watching these cute animated cars with people personalities.


Make em CARmel Corn.

* * * *
June 12, 2006