Pixar's latest animated film is visually spectacular but the story isn't as strong as previous movies.
Cars is an obvious labour of love for director/Pixar VP John Lasseter. A long-time car fanatic, he finally gets to celebrate his hobby in the context of a full-length animated movie. It also marks Lasseter's return to the director's chair since 1999's Toy Story 2.
Visually, Cars takes CG animation to a whole new level. Lasseter, along with actor/NASCAR nut Paul Newman, spent a long time getting the details right and it shows. The cars are beautifully-executed versions of the real thing, and there are plenty of blink-and-you-miss-them gags (VW "bugs," Cadillac-shaped mountains, "Lightyear" tires, country singer Gretchen Wilson as an RV) in the flick, ensuring that moviegoers will have to buy the DVD to catch everything. I highly doubt another animated film released this year will top Cars visually (Psst: stay to the end of the credits!).
The voice casting is also right on the money. Owen Wilson shines as the arrogant young race car, Lightning McQueen, and Larry the Cable Guy and Paul Newman provide stellar support as a goofy dump truck and a Hudson Hornet with a past. Also check out John "Cliff" Ratzenberger, who gets a Pixar-style tribute during the credits. Once again, Pixar hired voices for their talent, not their marquee value.
Unfortunately, where Cars chokes is with the story. The hot-shot-learns-there-is-more-to-life-than-winning plot has been done so many times before, and it's only the visuals (and visual gags) that prevent it from dragging down the whole movie.
Cars will likely do well at the box office. It's also a victim of Pixar's success. Previous movies like The Incredibles and Finding Nemo raised the storytelling bar so high that Cars suffers in comparison. It's always nice to see a movie made for a reason other than to ape a previous hit (I'm looking at YOU, The Wild and Open Season!). I respect John Lasseter for going with his heart, not the bottom line. However, I wish that he had spent as much time with the story as he had with the visuals. The hilarious opening short film One Man Band, which features street musicians competing for the coin of a little boy, also redeems this movie.
Overall, I give Cars an 8/10.
Trailers include Monster House, Barnyard, Ant Bully, Invincible, Meet the Robinsons and Ratatouille.
