Pixar's 'Cars' is certainly no lemon

Rating: 7/10 (31 July 2012)

Originally published on June 6, 2006.
They's taken us - happily - into the realm of toys, bugs, monsters, fish, and superheroes, those masterful storytellers and technical wizards at Pixar Animation Studios ("The Incredibles," "A Bug's Life," "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc."), including Academy Award- winning director John Lasseter ("Toy Story," "Toy Story 2," "A Bug's Life").
In their latest endeavor, the team hits the road with a fast-paced comedy adventure set inside the world of automobiles, the aptly-titled, "Cars." Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson), a hotshot rookie Mustang driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy, nearly defunct Route 66 town of Radiator Springs.
During the film's opening scene, an exciting NASCAR race that is as thrilling to watch as it is to wonder at its creative technology, McQueen battles beloved veteran, The King (Richard Petty) and obnoxious cheater, Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). The surprise outcome results in a special winner-take-all contest in California.
On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in Los Angeles to compete against the two seasoned pros, McQueen gets accidentally stranded (by his idiot driver, Mac, Pixar voice-over veteran John Ratzenberger), but gets to know the town's offbeat characters - including prosecuting attorney, Sally (a snazzy 2002 Porsche voiced by Bonnie Hunt), the town judge, Doc Hudson (a 1951 Hudson Hornet with a mysterious past, voiced by Paul Newman), and the goofy, drawling Mater (a rusty but trusty tow truck voiced by Larry The Cable Guy) - who help him realize that there are more important things than trophies, fame and sponsorship.
But before he learns this lesson, McQueen, who has wrecked the town's only street, is sentenced to repave the thoroughfare - and he is not happy about it. He hates the backwater berg and all of the supposed yokels who reside there. He even tries to escape several times, but the authorities have drained his fuel.
Slowly, however, he understands how much pride the locals have in this quaint community that was once a beautiful haven along that famous American road, even Sally, who has just recently moved there. Of course, McQueen begins to see her in a new light, as well.
The most interesting relationship, however, is between the brash young McQueen and the dark mysterious Doc. There is a very good reason the elderly gentleman does not like race cars, but it takes a while before the kid finds out why.
The all-star vocal cast also includes free-wheeling performances by racing legends Darrell Waltrip (as Darrell Cartrip) and Mario Andretti, as well as Bob Costas, Tony Shalhoub, George Carlin, Katherine Helmond, Paul Dooley and Cheech Marin, among others.
As funny as the situations might be, and as big of a heart as this story has, I was continually amazed at the animation technology. The bright shiny vehicles, the beautiful sunsets, the painted desert scenes and, especially Radiator Springs spruced up in art deco neon.
All of this makes "Cars" easily one of the best films of the year, not just the summer. It may not be Pixar's greatest creation, but it's good enough for this humble scribbler.
P.S. Don't leave before the credits finish, though, as the conclusion is drop-dead hilarious.