These cars sell themselves....literally!!!! - Cars Reviews

There are only a handful of films that I can ever say that I have ever wanted to watch a second time after just seeing it the first time. Almost Famous is the one that comes to mind because that's just what I did. I have a new term for such a film, it's called a "Repeater". This is probably a highest regard for any kind of family film where parents will more likely find themselves watching the film 300 times over the course of a month...most likely not by choice. As soon as I came out of Cars, the new classic Pixar film, I found myself wanting to go back to the inhabitants of Carburator County and it's windy, dust-ridden roads and eccentric inhabitants. And while this is no Nemo, I realized soon after just how much I loved this film. Cars is a simple tale that is kind of a spin on those automobile commercials that tell you to enjoy the ride, but preferably no slower than 90. That's why we're riding with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), a rookie stock car about to make history on the track. But due to some serious ego problems and two busted tires, he's got to duke it out with the best in Los Angeles, Winner Take All. On his trip across the Midwest, a couple of inconvenient turns (for him but not the plot) takes him off the interstate and puts him onto Route 66 and to a small town of Radiator Springs, which is the closest thing to a ghost town if cars had ghosts. There he meets it's wacky inhabitants including the Porche attorney-turned-innkeeper (Bonnie Hunt), Fiat tire shop owner (Tony Shaloub), Hippie Van (George Carlin, drastically underused), and elder Doc Hudson (Paul Newman). Over the course of a week, they all teach the hothead hot-rod about a life in the slow lane, which I don't have to tell you will eventually lead him back to the big race. How the race ends is satisfactory, if not a little forced in places. Story-wise, Cars' success comes in it's simplicity. It is filled to the cap with nostalgia, not only in the history of the automobile, but in the history of America's West. Route 66 was a symbol of freedom that still exists, but in a manner that has a different meaning today than it did back in the 50s and 60s. This story understands that and compares the faster than life world of modern NASCAR and modern life to the easy-going yet more humble tidings that Radiator Springs has to offer. The only problem is that the ending, while leaving a smile on your face, doesn't truly feel like it is the right one. In the way the film looks, it's probably the best-looking animated film outside the ocean that Nemo swims. With brilliant vistas of open spaces and reflections, bright neons and always the sense of environment that makes other computer-animated films feel hollow in a way. Pixar doesn't just try to look good, but feel right. The Incredibles doesn't look better than Shrek, but it is right for the story it tells. With Cars, it's all about the sights and sounds, which this film explodes with six or seven times over. The cars themselves look great with different kinds of textures and paint. We can believe the eyes in the windshield and mouths around the bumper areas, but if it looked any more real, we'd have to ask ourselves why are we watching a movie about a bunch of cars. Voice acting this time around is definately noteworthy, if only for the sake of Paul Newman as Doc. With his history in racing and acting, he was the only man who could sound authentic in this part. But one must ask if it wasn't HIS idea to be a Hudson Hornet, with it's classy sleek appeal and obvious handling powers. Either way, I am pretty sure either he or director John Lasseter was drooling at the possibilities. Speaking of John Lasseter, who finally comes back to the director's chair after directing Toy Story 2, you can smell his passion in the celluloid of this film. He definately brings his A-Game back for another shot and succeeds. Unfortunately, one of his best at Pixar had died during the production, Joe Ranft, who gets the Pixar version of a 12-Gun-Salute in the credits. I'm pretty sure if Lasseter didn't have enough reasons to make the best film possible, this was just one more. And I will say this and I mean it to the bottom of my heart: If you watch the film, stay all the way through to the end of the credits. Cars doesn't just celebrate itself, but Pixar's world-changing history. Pixar celebrates 20 years this year, and I can't wait to see what happens the next 20. Keep up the good work, fellas!!! All in all, this isn't the best so far this year, but it's definately one of the best rides so far. And you'll probably want to see it again unless you have anyone under the age of 12 with you. You know you're going to get your chance later.