Empire's Cars Movie Review

Plot
Arrogant race car Lightning McQueen (Wilson) is on the verge of superstardom, until a highway crash leaves him stranded in sleepy town Radiator Springs and sentenced to community service. Initially desperate to leave, he comes to appreciate the quiet life thanks to the town’s inhabitants..

It’s a testament to the ludicrously high standards Pixar has set itself that Cars can be considered in any way a disappointment. It leaves the CG output of every other studio choking in its spectacularly rendered dust, yet somehow, somewhere in this well-oiled, staggeringly beautiful machine somebody has omitted a small but crucial cog. It just doesn’t quite run with the smooth hum of fun we’ve come to expect of history’s greatest animation house.

There is no question that Cars is Pixar’s greatest visual achievement. Those geniuses chez Lightyear have long recognised that the best computer animation is not obsessed with realism but detail (just look at the sinister Polar Express to see how off-putting it can be when that balance is out of whack). Everything in Cars is clearly of a bulbous, shiny cartoon world, but is so exquisitely crafted that the reflection off the hood of a speeding racer or the neon miasma bathing a midnight town is almost enough to make you openly weep in the cinema. There is not a single flaw on the face of this film; it’s like Angelina Jolie with hubcaps.

Pretty visuals are only part of what we’ve come to expect of the Pixar experience, though. As a piece of storytelling, Cars sometimes has a sluggishness that is all the more surprising considering it’s directed by animation god John Lasseter, back behind the wheel for the first time since Toy Story 2. With a core message about getting out of the fast lane and enjoying the slow scenic route, it’s a story designed for a middle-aged man, not a sugar-fuelled pre-teen for whom the fast lane is never fast enough — and like any middle-aged man, it’s carrying a little excess flab.

It starts lean and energetic. The opening, featuring cocksure racer Lightning McQueen whizzing around the track, is a breakneck action sequence that could sit happily in any live-action film. In animation, editing and pacing it is near flawless, and one of the most exciting scenes of the summer. So when a later motorway mishap lands McQueen in the derelict town of Radiator Springs, where the most spectacular auto is an emotionally unstable fire engine and a day when holidaying people-carriers pop through is considered eventful, it’s hard not to yearn for the heady roar of the race track.

It’s not that McQueen’s cohorts in the town are dull; it’s just that they’re not especially funny. With the possible exception of rustbucket tow-truck Mater, it’s unlikely you’ll remember any of them after the closing credits in the same way you do such incidental characters as Toy Story’s Rex, mini-Incredible Jack-Jack or that stoned surfer turtle from Finding Nemo. Pixar without funny is like Disney without animal sidekicks or Miyazaki without that bit you didn’t really understand but still kinda liked — it’s recognisable, but it just feels off.

In contrast with the film’s message, Radiator Springs is a nice place to hang out for a while, but you wouldn’t want to live there. Which makes it a great relief when the movie’s ending turns out to be such a humdinger. Bringing the slow and fast lanes together in glorious fashion, it makes sense of the movie’s duller sections and uses them to invest the action with emotion. It’s a finale so full of joy, imagination and technical brilliance that you forgive Lasseter the previous storytelling flaws and, teamed with what might be the greatest Pixar credits gag to date, means you’ll leave the movie on a petrol-induced high.

Better than they say
Not one of Pixar's best; it's not very funny, the middle chunk is too flabby and for the first half McQueen is just too much of an asshole to care about. However, everything else in this movie is top notch, especially the visuals - this might be Pixar's most gorgeous movie yet. I actually really liked the stuff in Radiator Springs, despite it going on too long, and Paul Newman gave a superb vocal performance. The racetrack scenes are brilliant though, and thoroughly exhilarating. Just like B... More


Posted by Mr Gittes at 16:53, 03 April 2013 \| Report This Post



Great Entertainment
I was never a huge fan of Cars. It wasn't funny. The characters weren't particularly endearing, while Wilson (McQueen) and Sally (Hunt) seriously irked. It was all a bit cynical really as the movie launched endless heaps of merchandise. However, my 2 yr old son has taken a real shine to it and I have found myself watching it a lot more than I thought. And I have really learned to appreciate it. It looks phenomenal, especially on blu-ray, and there are quite a few nice moments in there with more ... More


Posted by Hillsman at 13:45, 16 November 2012 \| Report This Post



I Loved It As A Kid!
After looking back at this film from six years ago, and after watching it about 12 times during my life, Cars was a movie which I loved as a kid, but as a teenager, I started to feel strange that one of my favorite late childhood movies was a film with no real people or animals in it, just talking cars. (One of my more recent favorite movies is Peter Jackson's Meet The Feebles which features either puppets or actors in costumes, no real animals or people.) The other strange thing about this movi... More


Posted by SebMModerns at 22:37, 31 August 2012 \| Report This Post



Cars Review
While the story may not reach the high standards of Toy Story and The Incredibles, viewers of all ages will marvel at the technical brilliance of the animation and come away satisfied. ... More


Posted by the film man at 23:58, 13 December 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Pixars least likable film
I think Cars is a great movie my kids love it and its a shame that Cars 2 seems to have got a bad rating ... More

Posted by mandyj123 at 13:09, 02 September 2011 \| Report This Post



Pixars least likable film
Stylish looking but you cannot forgive the fact it isnt as interesting a universe as the other Pixar creations. With a slow paced concept that is boyish, lacks decent humour and a little strange to thing of a world with only cars. It is difficult to care about the arrogant main character either. It sure is better than some other animated films but its not special. ... More


Posted by trainedasninja at 19:44, 26 July 2011 \| Report This Post



Cars no Toy Story but a classic!
Yes, my nephew still loves it...and Cars 2 getting a rotten rating? C'mon...The Original was superb and I consider it the best animated features I have ever seen. Previously on Pixar- Ratatouille, Wall-E, Up and Toy Story 3 got ratings of 95,96,98, and 99% respectively!!! Do you expect that the next feature Cars 2 getting a 100% rating? After all, Pixar is human- our expectations are 100%! ... More


Posted by batbhai at 14:25, 27 June 2011 \| Report This Post




great as always ... More


Posted by bereski at 11:47, 25 June 2011 \| Report This Post



Not as bad as you might think
Ok I can admit it hasn't got the same amount of wit than the anouther pixar greats and the opening race is a bit dispointing but still when we get 2 route 66 it starts to pick and we get to see mater who has the best shop name a tow truck can have tow-mater. But still this is still more of a movie for the kids ... More


Posted by willster14 at 18:02, 14 January 2011 \| Report This Post



Ouy of Petrol
This deserves the judgment it gets. Pixar were just getting greedy when they made this and doesn't the sequel it's geeting.Why no Monsters Inc. 2 ... More


Posted by S1lent B0b at 17:10, 19 September 2009 \| Report This Post



better than a 3-star
this is a 4 star film. period. i heard many things about it - but after actually seeing it....i really must say i was impressed. it's not very funny in the first half...but it's visuals, its warm central message and the hilarious finale (cum EXCELLENT credits) make this 'another Pixar Great' - just not 'another Pixar Classic. so what? it's awesome nonetheless. if only i had more films like these in my youth...... ... More


Posted by claudemg at 23:38, 15 October 2007 \| Report This Post



Good stuff
It's not the funniest Pixar film, which is perhaps why people were disappointed, but it wasn't really supposed to be a flat out comedy. The visuals are gorgeous and it has a good message for kids about being selfish. I loved it. ... More


Posted by Caster at 15:38, 12 May 2007 \| Report This Post



Unfair treatment
It's not Toy Story classic, but this is certainly good enough to warrant must see status for any CG toon fan. Some really funny stuff, it really is gorgeous and also works well as an almost anti road movie. ... More


Posted by enemysprout at 13:18, 06 April 2007 \| Report This Post




Amazing bodywork, but one or two duff parts under the hood... It's still a wild ride, just not as smooth as Pixar usually demands. ... More


Posted by moviemaniac2 at 16:22, 10 March 2007 \| Report This Post



Endures repeated viewings
I've now seen this alot due to my kids loving it, and so believe that I can comment with more consideration than most. It is an absolutely terrifc looking movie (agree with Empire review) and the story is also brilliant (disagree). Theres still plenty of action and the characters are good fun. Invest in the DVD it'll make the most of your new LCD, and the sound is pretty awesom too. ... More


Posted by MyPOV at 11:03, 30 January 2007 \| Report This Post



A lot of fun (STAY TO THE END OF CREDITS)
I really enjoyed this 'cinema experience'. I have come to expect more from a Disney Pixar movie and this did deliver. While not as good as Toy Story Monsters or Nemo it was better than the Incredibles. You get more for your money as theres a short at the beginning and some excellent bits in the credits that is worth it even if you are not keen on the film. ... More


Posted by eowyn2k at 14:34, 13 September 2006 \| Report This Post



enjoyable
Time flew when watching this film. I did not know where the time went when i took my daughter to see this film. it just flew by. Great visuals. Great film if a little lighter in content than other pixar outings. Still a sure fire winner. ... More


Posted by jerkyjudas at 17:57, 04 September 2006 \| Report This Post




Another great addition to the Pixar cannon. ... More


Posted by Naweed_1 at 10:41, 01 September 2006 \| Report This Post




Another great addition to the Pixar cannon. ... More


Posted by Naweed_1 at 10:40, 01 September 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Visually stunning but could have done with tighter editing
Loved this one. Watch it - even if you don't like cars, you'll love the credits 'outtakes'. Pure genius. ... More

Posted by Mooby at 20:35, 22 August 2006 \| Report This Post



RE:
Not sure why critics are picking on this, seemingly another case of nobody being allowed to be too succesful for too long. Cars is fantastic, it's up there with the best of Pixar's stuff. It's funny, scratch that, us, has the emotional kick required to go with it. The animation is jawdropping. The car racing scenes knock more recent live action versions into a crocked hat and the amount of detail in the surrounding backgrounds is just staggering to behold. Ignor... More

Posted by Bulletproof_Monk at 09:51, 21 August 2006 \| Report This Post




I sort of agree with Empire's review, but I'd more happily give it 4 stars. Cars is a well told feel good story, funny and charming. Nowhere as brilliantly economic or simply classic as the other films, but for what it's worth on it's own terms, it's a good film. As usual from Pixar, there's a great array of laugh-out-loud and hidden gags, great voicework, especially Paul Newman and Owen Wilson, plus great racing and touching moral work. Plus, they finally gave John Ratzenberger his due. ... More


Posted by doctorolorinbats1975 at 21:18, 17 August 2006 \| Report This Post



RE: Again mr empire what have u been smokin?!?!?!!!
I was expecting a good Pixar film, what I saw was a great one. Cars is visually fantastic, and is far better than many are giving it credit for. I became really involved in the story from start to finish, and the time flew by. The main characters are good, and the story isn't quite as straightforward as expected, though a very fitting ending is achieved. Pixar always come up with some cracking side-characters and this has Luigi and Guido who are both awesome. ... More


Posted by Paul2j at 23:29, 16 August 2006 \| Report This Post



Again mr empire what have u been smokin?!?!?!!!
Well i went 2c this with me lady and her little girly with the thought that it was gonna b ok'ish! How wrong r u, it was great from start to finish! The only thing i will agree with it the opinion that its the best lookin pixar film they have done yet. Incredibles still rocks compared 2all but i highly recommend it 2all young and old ... More


Posted by Funk at 14:38, 16 August 2006 \| Report This Post



KCHOW
Loved this film from start to finish. Another great offering from Pixar. Ten years on from Toy Story and still they deliver, word for word, scene for scene. Take your kids, your grandchildren, your third cousin twice removed and re-married, hell go with the strange yet intriging chap standing on the street corner winking at you right now. JUST GO SEE IT. Believe me, your life will be that much better for it. ... More


Posted by Loxley at 22:51, 12 August 2006 \| Report This Post



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