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Cars

With nearly every studio in Hollywood hitching on to the trend of computer-animated animal flicks, the unstoppable Disney-Pixar brand raises the bar once again with "Cars." Pixar continues its tradition of personifying inanimate characters, taking a hilarious look at the auto world while retaining Disney's trademark feel-good storyline.

Cars features the voice of Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, a cocky but impressive rookie racecar who is ready to make a name for himself in the racing world. As he makes his way across the country to compete in the Piston Cup Championship, however, he finds himself stranded in lonely Radiator Springs. As he struggles to assert his superstar prominence over the small-town residents, Lightning begins to learn a thing or two about the important things in life and the price of fame.

The talented supporting cast of "Cars" gives their characters an irresistible appeal as well. Bonnie Hunt appears in yet another Pixar movie as Lightning's sassy love interest Sally, and the town's wisest resident Doc Hudson gets an extra boost of savvy with the voice of Paul Newman. Perhaps most surprising is Larry the Cable Guy's performance of Mater, the Radiator Springs' tow truck and self-proclaimed best friend of Lightning. With Mater, a character that begins as a key source of comedic relief in the film slowly evolves into Lightning's greatest lesson on friendship, and perhaps the most heartstring-tugging angle of the storyline.

Disney-Pixar continues to dazzle our eyes with beautifully clear animation that no other studio seems to match. The film's ability to transform everything in our world to the auto world - from motels to flies - gives us something to laugh at in every shot of the movie.
BR> What may be lacking, however, is a consistent pace that keeps us caring about what's going on in the story. While certainly funny, there are a few unnecessary scenes in the film that seem to distract too much from the situations of the characters, right when we starts to feel like we can relate to them in some way.

Yet the humor and visual appeal "Cars" brings to audiences is enough to make it run circles around its competition, inciting just enough emotional attachment with the characters to rank it among the likes of "Finding Nemo" and "Monsters, Inc."

And for a hilarious satire of Disney-Pixar's repeatedly featured voice actors, be sure to stick around for the credits.

Written by: Kevin Manahan

Reviewers Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 8.75
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