Movie Review: Cars

June 9, 2006 by Brendan
Filed under: Movie News, Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Cars Cars takes us into the world of the animated stock car where the self-centered Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is in a three-way battle for the coveted Piston Cup. On his way to the final showdown in California, through a series of mishaps, McQueen gets lost and ends up in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs where he ends up impounded and sentenced to community service. Eventually, Lightning befriends the offbeat locals, including a beat-up tow truck named Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy – whoever that is), a ‘51 Hudson Hornet named Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) and a sexy Porsche named Sally (Bonnie Hunt). It is here that McQueen learns some important lessons in life and he realizes that his existence doesn’t have to rely solely on the principals of winning, fortune and fame.

It looks like Pixar has hit another home run with the release of Cars. As we have come to expect from Pixar, the animation is top-shelf. With Cars, however, it is the charm of the characters, the genuinely funny moments and the lessons to be learned that makes this movie a gem. Characters like the tire salesmen, Luigi and Guido, are scene-stealers. Mater the tow truck is simple yet engaging. Doc Hudson is a mysterious and compelling fellow.

I’m just not 100% sure how a movie like Cars will go over with the kiddies. There’s no cute, cuddly Nemo or Sulley, a comical Mike Wazowski or a heroic Woody or Buzz Lightyear to attract the young ones. I’m not sure if the kids will take to an old but wise 1951 Hudson Hornet or a rusty old buck-toothed tow truck.

Nevertheless, I still have to strongly recommend checking out Cars. Personally, it might be my favourite Pixar movie yet. And as I indicated earlier, there are some important lessons to be learned from this one. In a world where we are bombarded with messages of the importance of wealth and success, it’s nice to see a movie point out that there other ways to judge the character of a person – or a car for that matter.

The movie also has a not-so-subtle message about life in the old days when things were simple and everyone knew each other’s names. I’m not sure how kids in this day and age with their iPods, Blackberries, Blueberries, Internet and all that crazy stuff will take to this advice.

In the end, Cars is sure to delight movie fans of all ages. There is also an animated short before the movie that is quite funny and if you stay through the end of the credits, there is a short bit at the end as well. (8.5 out of 10)