A nostalgic glimpse of past dreams mixed with the hope for one's future

Rating: 10/10 (25 June 2006)

With the rash of animated movies coming out (5 of the 6 previews shown at our theater were for upcoming animated features) I'm hesitant to see them. Having seen only one CGI feature previously (Shrek) one might tell that I'm not a real big fan of animated films. But I do think these movies are well done, and Pixar scores yet again, 7 out of 7 based on the story, content and imagery.
However, being a certified car nut, the subject matter immediately got my attention. Reading the synopsis of the story and seeing a behind-the-scenes program on the making of Cars, I was really looking forward to it.
The act of restoring old cars is a way for many of us to connect with earlier, and more simple times, before progress became regressive as it seems to be now, as we spend more times with our computers than we do with our kids, etc...
This movie captures the imagination in ways that also tug the heart. Kids and adults alike, will catch a glimpse of what true friendship, loyalty and love is all about. Everyone will see something in these "people/cars" that they will recognize and hope for in themselves and those around them. Don't get hung up about seeing talking cars. I have heard people complain about this, yet they have no arguments about talking rodents... Go figure.
As one who has traveled along Route 66 and seen some of the real places the movie used as inspiration, you may also recognize the Cadillac tail fins sticking up out of the desert, and the old rusty hoods of old cars (as desert buttes) lying in the canyon. A real visual feast. There were numerous times that I could not believe what I was seeing was not actual photography. Note the aerial views, especially. The cameo appearances were a real treat as well, knowing the backgrounds of the characters used made it even more enjoyable, such aRichard Petty and his wife Lynda. She's portrayed as the stationwagon they used to haul their kids arounf to the races in the early days. The music was also great. James Taylor's Our Town truly captured the melancholy reality of what once was, and what is reality now for the hundreds of little dots on the old folded paper road maps, that no longer show up on the GPS navigation system in your SUV.
Take the kids and see this show a couple of times. Then, take them on vacation along the Mother Road and show them the living history of America's automotive, cultural and expansionist heritage. Or at least pack the kids in the car, pack a picnic lunch and leave the game boys and DVD players at home and drive around your own community and rediscover the heritage of your town. Take your own road trip. You might just rediscover yourselves, too! If you are at all nostalgic for the way things used to be, or long for what could have been, you must see this movie and get a good understanding of what America's love affair with the automotive culture--and America itself, is all about.