Pixar has done it again. The studio that Disney bought is seven for seven. They never cease to entertain, move and inspire. I must admit that I wasn’t impressed with the trailers for CARS, fearing that director John Lasseter was too cost to the material and that no one at the studio had the guts to tell him he was making a bad movie. After seeing the film, I will no longer doubt Mr. Lasseter.
I will admit it isn’t the best Pixar has made, but it stands as a worthy addition to their library of quality films. Set in a world where everything is a vehicle even the insects, Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson, WEDDING CRASHERS) is a hotshot rookie racecar, who is taking the world by storm. After barely racing to a three-way tie at the Piston Cup finals, Lightning must get to California in a week to compete in a tie-breaking race against racing legend The King (real racing legend Richard Petty) and perpetual second place finisher Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton, BATMAN).
On his way to California, Lightning ends up destroying the main street of a little town called Radiator Springs. Sentenced to repair the road, Lightning is not very thrilled to be amongst the rusting relics of the town. Doc Hudson (Paul Newman, THE STING), the town’s doctor, is not all that thrilled to have the cocky racecar there as well. However, beat-up tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy, TV’s BLUE COLLAR COMEDY SHOW) takes to Lightning like bees on honey.
However, it takes time for the rest of the town to warm up to Lightning, especially Porsche and Cozy Cone motel owner Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt, THE GREEN MILE). The other residents of Radiator Springs include: Ramone (Cheech Marin, UP IN SMOKE), the hydraulic, supped up, low-rider who runs the body shop; Luigi (Tony Shalhoub, TV’s MONK), the owner of the tire shop and faithful follower of the Ferrari racing team; Guido (Gudio Quaroni, software lead at Pixar), the master tire replacer; Flo (Jenifer Lewis, TV’s THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR), the sassy talking coupe that owns the diner; Sarge (Paul Dooley, BREAKING AWAY), the no-nonsense Army Jeep; Sheriff (Michael Wallis, author and Route 66 expert), the old, tired police cruiser; Fillmore (George Carlin; JERSEY GIRL), the spacey VW bus; Lizzie (Katherine Helmond, TV’s WHO’S THE BOSS?), the scatter-brained Model T that runs the souvenir shop; and Red (Joe Ranft, Pixar’s recently departed story man), the easily scared fire truck.
The plot follows Lightning’s journey from selfish hotshot to someone who learns to slow down and take in the beauty of life around him while caring for others. It’s a story that’s been told a million times, but Lasseter creates a totally original world to set it in. The attention to detail in all of Pixar’s work is remarkable and it doesn’t end here.
Adding to the film’s success is the perfect voice casting. Wilson gives the right cocky tone to the role of Lightning without making the character unsympathetic. The big scene-stealer is Larry the Cable Guy as Mater. It’s the kind of characterization that’s common, but Larry the Cable Guy gives him heart and never makes him out to be a dumb hick stereotype.
One cannot talk about the film without mentioning the breathtaking animation. Again, detail comes to light. Just think that everything in the world is created by animators and then notice that dust particles float in the air in a scene in a closed up garage. It’s these little things that make the world of CARS come alive on a subtle level. But the most important part is that the filmmakers craft characters and situations we care about. Pixar’s magic truly lies in their total commitment to these characters and their world. With CARS, PIXAR gets another checkered flag.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
