For irrational reasons, I always find myself
dreading each coming Pixar Production before it is
released. Despite the fact that the now-Disney-owned
studio has never made a worse-than-average movie, the
stories that its animators choose to bring to life
always seem highly bizarre to me. Seriously: in Cars’
case, personified cars watching car races between other
personified cars? There’s certainly something weird
about the general idea behind the movie’s premise.
Still, I can’t help but think that perhaps the
brilliance of Pixar films lies within this very absurd
quality. Because watching talking cars—or even toys, in
Toy Story’s case—seems so abstract to viewers,
they are able to accept its alternate-reality in a
stunningly human way. In essence, doing away with the
entire idea of contrivance by removing a real-world feel
from the story, audiences don’t need to believe in what
is happening onscreen to be able to be affected by it.
Under such a genuinely Pixar-premise,
Cars is able to offer something for each member
of the family, whether it be in the form of a
moral-lesson or sheer entertainment. It tells the story
of Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), a hot-headed racecar
who is on his way to winning the prized Piston Cup
without a care in the world for anyone but himself and
his potential wealthy-sponsor. However, Lightning begins
to come to terms with his selfish personality, of
course, when he is accidentally detached from the
trailer towing him to the Piston Cup and finds himself
in trouble with the law for speeding through a
middle-of-nowhere town, Radiator Springs, while trying
to find his ride. Due to his offense, Lightning is
sentenced to community service for several days there,
during which time he learns the importance of friendship
and valor.
Okay, yeah, I know what you’re
thinking: the set-up makes Cars sound like just
another average-schmaverage, cheesy animated movie that
only young children will be able to enjoy. But, you, my
friend, have thought preemptively. The folks at Pixar
wouldn’t allow such to happen; the movie, despite
perhaps carrying unoriginal themes, is both humorous and
captivating. The voice-cast—which includes Wilson, Paul
Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, and Cheech
Marin—hits all the right comedic and emotional notes in
bringing the script to life. And the animation itself is
totally breathtaking, as one might come to expect out of
a Pixar film. This is especially true when the
Point-of-View shifts to that of one of the cars,
capturing the gorgeous scenery of Old Route 66. As I
watched Cars, I found myself totally caught up in
its story, never once stepping outside of the moment to
think of how silly the idea of a world made up entirely
of cars actually is. Despite whatever reservations I may
have had going into it, this film is undeniably a
winner.
-Danny, Bucket Reviews (7.4.2006)