Bumper to Bumper Delights
Directors: John Lasseter & Joe Ranft
Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry The Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, Jeremy Clarkson
Classification: PG
Running time: 85mins
With the other animation studios upping their game for their CG output, it was clear that Pixar had to pull something special out of the bag for their first film since 2004's, The Incredibles. They've always had the edge in terms of visuals, but worry abounded that for the first time since Woody strutted onscreen eleven years ago, Pixar had sacrificed substance for style. Thankfully, those worries were unfounded as Cars is a sweet yet sad little film with as much heart as Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo or Toy Story.
Owen Wilson is Lightning McQueen, a cocky racecar out to win the famed Piston Cup in his rookie year. He finishes the final race of the season in a three-way tie with his two competitors, Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton) and the King (Richard Petty). A new race is organised in California, and during the journey there Lightning becomes separated from his truck, Mack (John Ratzenberger), and ends up in Radiator Springs, a quiet town on the long-abandoned Route 66. After damaging their road, Lightning is sentenced to fix the road before he can leave by the judge of the town, a grumpy old Hudson Hornet named Doc (Paul Newman). During his time in the town, he gets to know the inhabitants before heading off to LA for his big race.
Friends Like These
The theme of friendship is one that has endured throughout Pixar's considerable output, with the moral being that you can do anything with the support of your friends. While we're clearly supposed to envy Lightning's fame and ability, he himself comes to envy the gentle folk of Radiator Springs for their close bond and easy camaraderie. Lightning may start the film as arrogant and selfish, declaring that he doesn't need a pit-crew and he's a one-man show, but by the end of the film the inevitable conversion has taken place and he's a likeable, big-hearted little racecar who cares for his friends.
The pacing of the film is a little strange, as Lasseter bookends the film with nail-biting races that are modelled closely on the action and drama of NASCAR racing. Even though we can guess the outcome, we're still on the edge of our seats waiting to see if Lightning will fulfill his dream. In between is a slower pace than we're perhaps used to in Pixar films, yet I disagree with the critics that say it 'drags' in the middle third. Instead, I'd say that the pace is slower because the pace of life in Radiator Springs is slower - Lasseter's screenplay mirrors perfectly what he is trying to portray. Plus, the gentle world of Radiator Springs gives us a sharp contrast with the high speed world that Lightning inhabits, making the collision between the two so much more powerful.
Exhausting Effects
Thankfully, while the inevitable moral tone is present, it also kicks up dust clouds as it speeds past and into the distance, leaving plenty of room for the audience to gasp in awe at the sheer virtuosity of Pixar's handiwork. The stunning scenery of Ornament Valley gives them the chance to show off amazing rock formations, beautiful waterfalls and trees so lifelike you'd swear they were real. The cars themselves are fabulously-rendered characters, with Mater the Tow Truck (Larry The Cable Guy) stealing the show as best supporting car - he's simple-minded but with that simplicity comes honesty and warmth, and he's proof alone of why Lightning would fall so hard for Radiator Springs.
Cars is a love story, yet it isn't between Lightning and sleek Porsche Sally (Bonnie Hunt), who runs the motel in Radiator Springs. No, it's a love story between John Lasseter and the open road, a poignant poem to a bygone era when Route 66 was the height of glamour, and the epitome of Americana. He laments the loss of community that accompanied the rise of the Interstate, and it’s a sad theme to be included in what is essentially a family film. Yet the parallels are clear - we're all in so much of a hurry that we don't stop to appreciate what we have, or to enjoy the scenery. If the scenery looks anything like Cars, hopefully we’ll all learn to slow down soon.
5/5 Start your engines and race for the chequered flag, this one's got winner written all over it