There's more to racing than just 'winning' ... truly wonderful!!

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 2009)

I wasn't a big fan of animated movies, and believed that it is just "Childs stuff" and used to co-relate all animation movies with 'cartoon movies'. This movie (apart from 'Finding Nemo') truly shows the difference between "animation" and "cartoon" - the former being much wider in sense and spirit and involves a story line as compared to funny sketches doing crazy things on screen.
The huge plus this classic animation has got is the subtle message and storyline along with hugely improved CGI (good job Disney and pixar.... keep it up). At first I thought the movie would be centered around a lot of racing stuff, but it really wasn't and surprisingly blends the story of 'route 66' (which actually exists) with a roller coaster emotional ride which the rookie racing car "Lightning McQueen"
The finesse with which the cars (including junkies and rusties) are brought to life is amazing. Pixar has done their homework and featured small town folk as they really are and the set up gives realistically diverse view of small town life. Every character is so paired that you love virtually every character in the movie. The filmmakers have gone far enough to detail the perfect reflections in the cars of the sidewalk - It is a visually stunning treat. Even the old, vintage car models have that chic look that brings some of the essential charm of this film
Shortly after the 1st 15-20 minutes of the race you forget whether the cars are characters or is it the other way round. The struggle of the rookie race car; who has the ability, but not the discipline to become a true champion; and how this 'raw ability' is crafted into a champion racer by a old-retired-hurt racer "Hudson Hornet", is depicted wonderfully with some comic characters and the love interest (a car of course) of the rookie providing wonderful support. The icing on the cake is the last race to win the championship (piston cup) which the rookie is within centimeters of winning but 'withdraws' at the last moment to help the reigning champion to cross over the finish line much to the delight and surprise of the 'car audience' and bagging the sponsor of dreams without winning the championship.
Certainly not an 'only kids' movie and worth every penny - 9/10 definitely...