Cars (2006)

• Review: *** ½ (out of ****)
• Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Guido Quaroni, Jenifer Lewis, Paul Dooley, Michael Wallis, George Carlin, Katharine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, Joe Ranft, Michael Keaton, Richard Petty, Jeremy Piven, Bob Costas, Darrell Waltrip, Richard Kind, Edie McClurg
• Director: John Lasseter
• Screenplay: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien, Dan Fogelman, Kiel Murray, Phil Lorin
• Length: 116 min.
• MPAA Rating: G

What could have been a lame ideawrapped in sport-of-the-moment racing becomes instead a somewhat inspirationallook at the decline of the small American town in Pixar’s latest computeranimated feature Cars.

Disney, prior to purchasing Pixarhad the tendency to make great animated films every 30 years or so. Then, oncethey became wildly popular, they increased production on lesser storylines andbecame burdened with low-quality concepts that bombed at the box office. Whenthe first preview for Cars camearound, that’s the first thing that popped into my head. Pixar’s on a Disneytrajectory. However, sitting down to watch the film, you’re reminded of howinnovative Pixar can be.

The story starts off dangerouslyclose to irritation as rookie racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson)runs for the Piston Cup against famed winner The King (Richard Petty) andsleazy racer Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). When the three tie for the win, theymust race across country to get cozy with the sponsors first.

McQueen, a little too cocky forhis own good, gets stuck in Radiator Springs, a small Route 66 town leftvirtually abandoned by multi-lane highway expansion. It’s a typical storythat’s found telling in many forms but somehow Cars manages to make it seem fresh. While performing communityservice for the road he destroyed upon arrival, McQueen learns a great dealabout the inhabitants of the town and, as is expected, eventually comes to loveand respect them.

The previews capitalized more onthe racing aspect than on the storyline, thus creating an expectation that thisis what the film would be about. There are plenty of racing scenes and perhaps,it’s one of the reasons the film runs longer than most animated films do(nearly two hours). However, the tale it weaves in that time is inspirationaland if it doesn’t make you want to take a tour of Route 66, then what would?

The voice cast is well-trainedand entertaining with more voices remaining unrecognizable than in pastanimated vehicles. Newman’s gruff, but somewhat loveable Doc Hudson may not behis last film role but it seems perfect for the NASCAR fan. Bonnie Hunt is, asalways, wonderful as McQueen’s romantic interest Sally Carrera. Even Wilson provides apolished performance.

It could be easy to carp on thelength of the film. Children have short attention spans as it is; however, thismay be the first kids movie that has parents, or more likely grandparents,wanting to bring their offspring to the Cineplex.

Don’t let it’s title fool you. Cars is every bit about those insufferable yet inescapable hunks ofjunk in our daily lives. We may have a love-hate relationship with ourtransportation but not likely with this film.

-Wesley Lovell (July 21, 2006)