A Solid Effort and Worth Seeing on the Big Screen.

Rating: 7/10 (9 June 2006)

I saw Cars this afternoon with a group of animators I work with.
Plainly and simply stated, I liked it. It was a fully pleasant way to spend a few hours on a summer afternoon.
This films is notThe Incredibles, but I found it better than Monsters Inc. and a far sight better than A Bugs Life. The animators did an admirable job articulating sheet metal into being appealing characters, the digital sets were expansive and gorgeous and the lighting was beautiful. It is certainly worth seeing on the big screen. Voice casting worked very well in conjunction with the character design; I believed those voices would come out of those characters -- not something that always works out.
John Lasseter has made a play on the heartstrings of the audience and some people will find the film a tad sentimental. Fair enough, but just remember, Cars is officially a Disney film which is the official territory of the family tear jerker. I think its actually good to see that Disney has found their audience again after having lost their way for a while with such films as Treasure Planet and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, that were so scatter shot you couldn't figure out who they were made for. If your memories of Disney films are ones of beautiful animation that make you inwardly admit that cartoon character not only made you smile but perhaps caused a tear to well up, this film will fit the bill.
Critics who are already dismissing this movie might have their heads up their tailpipes. Ignore them and judge for yourself.
There are lots of great gags, funny writing at a level both kids and adults will enjoy. Too many in jokes to mention, and be absolutely sure you stay right through the tail credits.
p.s. For those of you who listen to Car Talk on NPR, watch out for the Tappet Brothers.