Pixar strikes again!

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2006)

As far as CGI animation is concerned, the folks at Pixar remain king. While not quite as enchanting as their previous film "The Incredibles", "Cars" still delivers on all cylinders. It's a visual stunning and extremely funny adventure through the heart of Route 66.
Pixar films are unrivaled when it comes to creating realities that are alternate to our own world. Like the toys in "Toy Story" and the monsters in "Monsters Inc." the cars of "Cars" seem so human that you forget that they are... well.... just cars.
The premise of the film is simple. A cocky rookie race car named Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) get's caught up in a quest for the racing world's coveted "Piston Cup." While traveling to the cup's championship race McQueen get's detoured to a small Route 66 town called Radiator Springs. Once at Radiator Springs McQueen has to do a small service to the community before he can leave and participate in the "Piston Cup's" finale.
Along the way McQueen meets up with a lovable cast of a unique characters. Most notably are Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) the rusty redneck truck, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) the 1950's hornet, Filmore (George Carlin) the stoner van, and Guido (who will no doubt be a fan favorite) the fork lift.
For some the movie may drag a little in the mid-section. However, its the little touches that Pixar throws in that keep the film engaging and funny. The cars eat at gas station diners and sleep in garage motels. In probably the films most memorable scene Mater and McQueen do a small town right of passage with a hilarious twist. And it's this ability to create alternate universes while giving these "objects" human characteristics that make Pixar films so memorable.
Fan's of CGI films may rejoice. Car's is an intriguing story with excellent animation and humor for both adults and kids alike. Definitely worthy of a nice family trip to the movie theater.
9/10