Cars proves that even after 20 years of greatness, there is still plenty of gas left in Pixar's tank. For the past two decades, the fine folks at Pixar Animation Studios have given us some of the most revolutionary and lovable animated films of all-time. Think back to the first time you saw Toy Story and were blown away by the smooth, crisp animation; or think about the time that you fell in love with a lost little fish named Nemo.
In some way I believe we have all been touched by a Pixar film, whether it has been personally or through watching the joy in a child's eyes the first time he or she held witness to the world of little animated creepy crawlers in A Bug's Life.
Although they've had a few road bumps along the way, Pixar has always done a few things better than anyone. They always seem to be on the cutting edge of animation, delivering beautiful and vibrant films, and they never fail to give us characters that are easy to fall in love with.
With the release of their latest film Cars, Pixar set out to prove there is plenty of gas left in their tank after 20 years of being the industry's leader in animated features. They put their best man behind the wheel, bringing on director John Lasseter to try and recreate the success he has had in the past with films such as Toy Story and A Bug's Life.
Pixar employed a diverse and experienced team of writers, which included the late Joe Ranft, who co-wrote some true animated classics over the years (The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast to name a few.) They tuned in the incomparable Randy Newman to find all the right melodies for that little extra that only a well crafted soundtrack can deliver. And what did they get for all of their diligence? Another wonderfully animated, endearing, easily enjoyed Pixar classic.
For starters, Cars is one of the most awesome sensory experiences to come out of Hollywood in years. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, creating a world in which cars substitute in nicely where people would normally be in the real world. From the first time we meet our hero Lightning McQueen, voiced by funny man Owen Wilson, we are in awe of how much attention was paid to making his race car look shiny and - well - lightning fast.
Article comments
1 - diana hartman
i love your reviews neil...i really like the reviewer who can essentially make the decision for me about whether or not to see a movie...icing on the cake is the reviewer who can get me excited about seeing a movie; case in point: cars...
i'm already a big pixar fan, but it's good to know just what i'm heading for, and with the information you've provided, i know just who to take with me besides my younguns...
thank you!
2 - Neil Miller
Thanks diana, I am glad you liked the review. The movie is fantastic, at least from where I was sitting, so I hope you like it as well!
Cheers!
3 - Ty
I watched Cars opening night, pretty decent. But my biggest problem is that there is too much LARRY THE CABLE GUY. He is so annoying and it is obvious that PIXAR wanted Cars to appeal to the redneck Nascar loving audience.
I am a Route 66 buff so I appreciate all the Route 66 stuff (and there way more than probably most people were aware of), but the movie is dragged down by "Tow Mater."
One interesting question to discuss:
In Cars, Cars are like people, right? I.e., they eat, drink, go to drive-in's, etc, right? They even sit in the stands and watch events, right?
Well then, when "Cars" race, shouldn't it be track and field style, and not Nascar? After all, people don't run around on the Indy 500, they run around track and field tracks. Seems like Cars should also be on track and field tracks...
4 - Kelly
Great review, Neil.
Ty, are you crazy? Mater was the best part of the movie - so cute! And no, I am not a redneck, nor do I even like Nascar.
5 - Ty
Are YOU crazy? Mater is so annoying, and becomes the third character in the holy trinity of annoying animated characters (the other two being Ellen Degeneres' character in Finding Nemo and Eddie Murphy's Donkey in the Shrek movies).
6 - Neil Miller
Hey now, don't insult Donkey! He played a pivotal role in Shrek.
And on to the subject of Larry the Cable Guy's Mater. I think that his character was surprisingly good, considering the talent (or lack there of) of the actor behind the voice. He was cast almost perfectly for that role. And as far as the whole "annoying animated sidekick" thing, what animated feature would be complete without someone like this. I assure you that Shrek would not have been the same without the dynamic between Shrek and Donkey; and furthermore Cars would not have been the same without the dynamic between Lightning and Mater.
Just a thought...
7 - Pat
"Cars" movie is very special. My son, his wife,
my grandchildren, & I saw it today. Who was the voice of Tow Mater? He did a great job. My son's 6 year old twins & the 10 year old son all expressed their opinions about the lessons they had learned from the cars. Thanks PIXAR, Pat S