Five years after it's release I have managed to get around to watching this movie, mostly due to the release of the sequel.
It all looks incredible, is technically flawless and oozes charm. But if judged against Pixar,s previous six features, Cars wouldn't trouble the podium. Like Michael Schumacher, the Toy Story team have spent so long leading the pack that rivals have edged up behind. Indeed unheard of in previous years there are now other summer toons which matched Pixar's fuel injected foray into computerised comedy.
That said, the studio's fish out of water scenario, propped up by four wheel puns, remains choice anthropomorphic fodder. A stellar cast (Owen Wilson, Paul Newman) and the thrill of the opening stadium race add to the story's timely reminder to slow down and take it easy. What crumples Cars, however, is its overriding concept, a world in which every inhabitant comes with an MOT. Where are the people? The animals? The roadkill? And who produces the gas that John Lasseter's chrome creations guzzle with such blatant disregard for the environment? The extra features are great while new animated shorts Mater And The Ghostlight (featuring Cars' rusty tow-truck) and the hilarious One Man Band (an egotistical street performer meets his match) both illustrate Pixar at their creative peak. The same can't be said of the feature, maybe, but let's not lose sight of one simple fact next to the 2011 sequel Cars 2 this original is still streets ahead.
See if you like...
Everything by Pixar.