CARS

US, 2005, 116 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Michael Wallis, George Carlin, Paul Dooley, Jenifer Lewis, Michael Keaton, Katherine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, Joe Hanft.
Directed by John Lasseter, Joe Hanft.

This animated feature comes from Pixar, the studio who has had continued success since the mid-1990s with the Toy Story films, A Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. Some critics have complained that it is not as effective as the previous Pixar films, but the high US box-office indicates that it was popular.

For the first twenty minutes, I found I was not particularly enjoying Cars. Perhaps it was the world of racing cars that didn’t appeal. Perhaps it was the way that the cars were drawn, the attempt to humanise the cars. (As a matter of fact, there are no humans at all in the whole film; the crowds for the races are all cars!) I am not sure at which stage or even why I found I was enjoying the film but, by the end, I was liking it very much.

The drawing and computerisation of the cars and their action is quite extraordinary. As with the action sequences in The Incredibles, the editing and pace are what you have in a live-action movie and you forget for the moment that you are watching cartoon characters and action.

As with all Pixar films, there is a moral to learn.

Owen Wilson provides the engagingly drawling voice for Lightning Mc Queen whose ambition it is to win the Piston Cup. He finds himself lost in Radiator Springs where the townscars eventually make him welcome, where he finds true love and self-sacrifice and discovers a veteran champion, Doc Hudson (with Paul Newman’s gruff voice). His stay in Radiator Springs with the eccentric old cars in a rundown town bypassed by the freeways is entertaining. The desert and mountain scenery is quite magnificent.

But managers and the media catch up with Lightning and he has to make decisions about the race, his mean-spirited rival (voiced by Michael Keaton) and a heroic act of generosity. Selflessness wins the day.

Younger audiences might find this a bit long and, with its focus on racing cars, not so engaging. On the other hand, parents will probably enjoy it more, the human-like cars and the voices of such talented actors as Paul Newman and Owen Wilson. As with all Pixar films, you should stay for the humorous credits with the characters from so many other Pixar films.

1. The popularity of Pixar films? Reputation? Imagination? Awards?

2. The animation style, computerised? The cars as human beings, faces, voices, actions? The crowds watching the races? Audience amusement? The voice cast?

3. The Piston cup, the three-way, Weathers, Hicks, Lightnig Mc Queen, the race, their personalities?

4. Lightning Mc Queen as the central character, his hopes, to win as a rookie, the sponsorship of Rust -Eze, the prestige of the Dinco team? His crisis, the truck, sleeping, gang on the road, the traffic, in Radiator Springs, his ruining the road?

5. Lightning in court, Doc Hudson, his age, experience, past career? Dim view of Lightning, making him re-pave the road, initial lack of success, doing it over? Mater and his being friendly in prison? Sally and her defence?

6. Making the range of friends in Radiator Springs, the different kinds of vehicle, their look, trucks, tractors? The voices? Route 66 and the banishing of Radiator Springs?

7. Doc, his character, his past success, being past it?

8. The media arriving in town, Doc calling them, his motivation, wanting to promote himself? Sally, reaction, care for Lightning? Lightning leaving?

9. The new race, Doc and the people working for Lightning in the pits, his range of techniques? Hicks, mean-minded, pushing Weather? Hicks winning? Lightning pulling up, going over to Weathers, pushing him over the line? Everybody praising Lightning for his being a good sport?

10. The offer from Dinco, his refusal, his making his headquarters in Radiator Springs? Happy ending?

11. Audiences enjoying the credits with all the Pixar characters and voices?