CARS : Not Pixar's Best, But Still Better Then Many Movies Today...

Rating: 9/10 (16 June 2006)

CARS
It's dangerous to do what Pixar has done over the past few years. If you build up an empire and flawless reputation for producing some of the best films released in modern years... inevitably something has got to give. Leading up to its release, it looked like CARS could potentially be that film. Trailers weren't as awe-inspiring as they've been the past, the story looked a little cliché, and the concept seemed a bit forced. And along with the inevitable fall of the empire, there's no doubt going to be people looking to bring you down... or at least people who have come to expect sooooo much from you that they will inevitably be disappointed. Personally, I think CARS is suffering that fate.
And it's a shame, because CARS is far from being a "disappointment". Pixar's latest CGI-film tells the story of Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), a stuck up race car with nothing on his mind besides his own pride and glory. While en route to the final race for the Piston Cup, Lightning McQueen gets himself lost and in trouble in the abandoned city of "Radiator Springs". What was once a thriving stop on Route 66 has now become a resting place for a group of rag tag vehicles. They include the reclusive leader Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), and Sally the Porsche (Bonnie Hunt). Initially, Lightning couldn't possibly get out of "Radiator Springs" fast enough... however, as time goes by Lightning begins to realize the importance of slowing down and admiring the scenery.
True, the story is the most familiar of all the Pixar films yet... and it's not given as many layers as past screenplays had. Also, at times the story lags a bit more then others. The film is never boring, although it seems the producers were wasting a little time building up some minor characters that ultimately didn't effect the story that much. Yet still, CARS is an endearingly light-hearted tale of enjoying the simple things in life, so why shouldn't the story be simple as well? It might lower the prestige of CARS, but not necessarily it's entertainment value.
In terms of providing it's audience with a good time, Pixar still has not failed. CARS opens at a stadium filled with vehicles of all type doing waves, cheering, flashing the crowd, and more as the first major race for the Piston Cup takes place. It is in this opening sequence where Pixar really gets to showcase their skills as computer artists. The gleaming lights off the hoods of the race-cars, the details all the way down to the little pebbles on the racetrack, and the highly detailed background are just a few of things in this movie that truly impress. All the more impressive, these visual elements are blended in with sound editing and effects that match the very best in film today. All these factors combine to create some of the most exciting footage of race-cars captured on film, fake or not.
Pixar also shows they are still the masters of finding visual gags and slapstick humor without having to resort to pop-culture references and crude humor. Whereas most animated films today evoke their humor from "hip" and "edgy" pop-culture (SHREK, OVER THE HEDGE, and ICE AGE are all guilty of this... though they are still entertaining movies). Pixar's ability to evoke humor from the actual storyline instead of the outside world is what will ensure their films remain fresh and funny forever. They have managed to make films that will never feel dated. My personal favorite gags in this film came when we saw the Cars in their natural environments... on the roads cruising.
The voice-work in CARS is a fun addition as well. Though the limitation of having all the characters by automobiles limits the variety of characters that was welcoming through TOY STORY, BUGS LIFE and more... the actors still manage to infuse their characters with a distinct heart. Larry the Cable Guy, though probably the least gifted actor of the bunch, manages to come off best in a perfect marriage of voice-actor and machine.
Overall, CARS is possibly the best piece of family entertainment to be released this year. It seems unfair that a film with as many good elements as Pixar's CARS get deemed a "disappointment" simply because it can't meet the insane standards set up by the studio's last few films. Who cares if the movie is stretched a little bit longer then it needs to be... it's not like we get enough Pixar anyway! And who cares if it's a little less impressive then past efforts... it's still a worth addition to Pixar's credits and it shows they are continuing to develop in the visuals department! In the end, while CARS isn't close to being the best Pixar film yet, it is certainly the best animated film I've seen all year... and for that it deserves the credit it would receive whether it was being compared to past Pixar films or not.
... B+ ...