All-around terrific - perfect family movie

Rating: 9/10 (27 February 2011)

SPOILER ALERT!
I really enjoyed this movie. Besides the fact that I love cars, there's so much that was done really well with this movie: 1) really well thought out plot with some unexpected twists and turns and linkages throughout. enough depth that it is worth watching a second time to pick up on some things I initially missed. 2) unexpected outcome of the movie 3) I liked the way that it ended versus a typical "protagonist wins the competition" ending 4) great character development over the course of the movie 5) these animated characters really have a personality! 6) beautiful animated scenery highlighting some beautiful areas of the US 7) nice highlight of the significance of Route 66
The only reason that I didn't give it a 10 is that I'm a pretty literal person and I sometimes found the personification of cars a little bothersome. But, it's an animated movie - so I need to get over it.