Get Your Kicks "Off" Route 66

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2006)

An allegorical homage to early 1960's television
Don't be put off by the previews for "Cars" (and the cast and crew interviews on the Disney channel) which make the story look rather lame. This is a movie to see the day that it opens, experience it in the company of an enthusiastic audience of first time viewers.
No surprise that it is slickly written and well executed, it is a Pixar Films' production, almost a seal of approval for those who want to be sure they get something for their admissions dollar.
The animation is great, definitely the best they've done. Giving distinct personality and character to a normally inanimate object is nothing new but it has never been more effective. Not only do the cars communicate emotion, but the star (Lightning McQueen-a hotshot rookie race car with the voice of Owen Wilson) illustrates moments of character revelation and change better than most contemporary flesh and blood actors. They load the movie with just enough automotive insider jokes to let race fans feel privileged but not so many that other viewers feel left out.
Speeding cross-country to race in the big Piston Cup Championship in California Lightning McQueen gets hung up in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs.
Much like Tod and Buz in an episode of television's "Route 66", the layover allows time for him to interact with the town's offbeat characters including Doc Hudson (a 1951 Hudson Hornet with a mysterious past and Paul Newman's voice) and Mater (for Towmater-a rusty but trusty tow truck). Although it would have been nice to have included the voices of the original "Route 66" stars Martin Milner and George Maharis, there is enough here to suggest that the baby boomer demographic was one of the film's target audiences.
Making it the perfect film for kids to drag their grandparents to, even if it is the first movie the boomers have seen in years. Lightning eventually learns that life is about the journey, not a destination or the finish line.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.