Gold, gold, gold

Rating: 10/10 (17 June 2006)

GOLD GOLD GOLD! Pixar has done it. Toy Story was a smash, but, I surely didn't believe it was going to last. Bug's Life was cute, but, I thought it got lucky. Toy Story II broke my hatred of sequels, but, still has to be luck. The Monster's Inc. Nope, I thought, still has to be luck. Finding Nemo started to clue me in on maybe there was something out there about this new fangled computer animation. The Incredibles made me believe that it was the end, the finish line on an amazing run by an unlikely hero.
Then came "Cars"...
I saw the previews, cringing at the thought of Larry-the Cable Guy, and thought, "Too bad, all the funny parts, and there goes a golden star" And, man I was wrong. Here is my list of why: 1. The race scenes were intense and heart pounding, even though they were animated. The sound pounded you as the cars flew by, every sound and feeling almost like i remember from my trips to NASCAR races. Yet, they were extremely creative. Allowing the main character to jump off a pile up using his tires was just hilarious and goofy, yet, it fit and wasn't over reaching. The trash talking between the competitors is something i remember from my years running cross country, and i got a good chuckle out of it.
2. The characters were colorful and interesting. They interacted well with each other and had an awesome vibe. The diverse use of vehicles for each character. Being in the service myself, and seeing the old Jeep Willys playing revelry in the morning to flag, then fighting with the stoned VW Mini Bus is cliché', but, it was funnier than hell.
3. Vibrant and colorful settings. Having been in Arizona for a few months, and seeing the desert, and the inherent endless desert highways, with the pit-stop towns and everything, totally a believable setting. And leave it to the imaginary geniuses at Pixar to incorporate old car parts into the terrain.
4. IT WAS A FAMILY MOVIE! and when i say that, a true family movie. there was humor that was great for the kids, yet, the innuendo was veiled thickly enough they didn't catch on, but, all the older participants were able to get a chuckle out of it. It didn't alienate anybody, which is why Disney is floundering in other animation.
So, Pixar, please keep it up. You have proved me wrong. Cars is an awesome addition to the Pixar/Disney family, and worthy of the name it carries. Cars was a throughly enjoyable film, creative and fun.
Go see it, if you're my age (19), with or with out a family, or little kids. This is a great movie that should be enjoyed by everyone.