Pixar have done it again!

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2007)

Pixar's latest animated film has been good. Very good, in fact - though it is just another one of the swarm of animated films that invaded cinemas in 2006, the idea to have cars as talking, living characters is an ingenious and original one that makes a nice change from the usual talking-animal fare. The visual effects in this film are neat - the cars actually gleam and the colours are immensely saturated, which makes for a very colourful flick which kids will enjoy looking at. The sound is also nice as well - especially in the cinemas. But while this film more than delivers on the visual and audio scales, there's actually a brilliant story to be found with it. The film is full of interesting new characters that the audience will quickly identify with - from the elusive 50s auto Doc Hudson to the rusty tow-truck Mater. The film has quite a touching story that has happened in real life - how big famous people's fortunes take a tumble and they are reduced to small-town life, but quickly realise the joys of it and let their new buddies help them make their way to the top again. Though the film isn't exactly a laugh-a-minute riot on the comedy scales, it is something very different - these cars are people. Their losses in the past are brought to us in a touching way that may bring back memories to people who have suffered similar losses in life. Cars isn't realistic and you won't need to explain it to young kids or start a long discussion about it at the tea table, but it still is a bloody good movie, and we don't care about realism any more. Pixar aren't about to lose their throne as animation kings yet. This new world has two sides to it - a side of celebrities and paparazzi and one side of small-town folk, very much like in real life. And these two worlds brilliantly clash with the arrival of cocky Lightning McQueen in the small town of Radiator Springs. McQueen has to accept his new fate and use his new buddies, who he initially doesn't like but soon needs them more than ever. Some could say Cars was overlong, but there's so much story to tell and so much character to cram in that it is actually the ideal length. A bit more interaction between the celebrity and ordinary-car worlds would have been nice, though to be fair, this film did revolve around exile, loss, and friendship, and you'll be so caught up in the hugely-original premise of romance between cars that you won't care anyway. Stunning! 9/10