The top of the Pixar Heap!

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2006)

I was quite surprised to read a number of less-than glowing reviews of this film. But then, I realized that because "Cars" is really quite different from most of Pixar's previous fare, I can now understand it, in a way. When you look at the "Toy Story" movies, as well as "A Bug's Life", you see anthropomorphism, of course. In this one, it goes to a whole new level. This IS a universe of cars ... no people, no grounding in reality, as with "Toy Story", etc. Now this could have presented a real difficulty. As with LOTR and Narnia, you create a whole world at your peril; nevertheless, Pixar's ultra-creative staff pulled it off. The voice casting was superb, and I was particularly pleased with Paul Newman's and Bonnie Hunt's efforts. But in fact, everyone "fleshed out" their characters beautifully. Oh, and the animation was kicked up another level, too. The scenes of Monument Valley were breathtaking ... and finally, this movie is up another whole level thematically speaking. You have Pixar's usual "what's really important in life" theme, along with the usual "learn to value friendship" admonitions. Along with these, though, is a sly, carefully crafted message about living life in "the slow lane," done in a way that made me want to plan a hip trip down Route 66. All in all, I've seldom been as moved, surprised and satisfied with a movie as I have been with this one. My only complaint? The story did sag a little in the middle ... something I've noticed again in several other Pixar efforts. However it wasn't a big sag, and things revved up fairly quickly. #Spoiler Alert# You'll never again pass a tractor sitting in a field without wanting to tip it!