Cars

-Directed by: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft

Starring:
-Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Larry The Cable Guy, Paul Newman and many MANY more

For months now, Disney has been getting people ready and curious about this movie. With a marketing scheme that rivals the invasion of a small country, they finally released Cars upon the world and the result was worth the wait. This is a perfect movie to bring your whole family to, and if you're like me you'll see it several times and never get bored. I should explain though. I have a nine year old movie fan, and trust me when I say that every piece of merchandise related to this movie is now in my house. But I don't mind. Heck, the cereal's pretty good.

On to the movie, it's set in a world where everything has four wheels. Even the insects which look, wait for it, like old VW bugs. The hero of our story is faster than fast young race car Lightning McQueen, and early on you see the hype surrounding his success, and the ego he's built to go along with it. Sure, he's talented but he doesn't have any friends. All he has is his power and even in the early moments of the movie you see how that can chip through his ego. One night though, he gets dropped out of his trailer and winds up in the middle of the desert. As he tries to catch up with his faithful truck, Lightning gets lost and winds up in Radiator Springs. That's where the real race begins. Not for money or fame, but to find out who he REALLY is and what he's been missing. Life.

It's a simple story, no two ways about it. The nice part about the film though is that it's a movie that doesn't preach. It will make you laugh, make you maybe even cry but you wind up being entirely entertained. The characters suit the voices perfectly, including film legend Paul Newman as Doc Hudson and many of NASCAR's finest. But the movie is completely, and perfectly stolen by a little tow truck named Mater. You know, like "Tuh-mater" without the "Tuh." Larry, who is known for his stand up comedy, is fantastic as the rusty tow truck who befriends Lightning McQueen. Add the deep southern drawl to the dumbfounded looks of Mater and you won't be able to stop giggling. My son still asks me to quote lines to him, and "DADGUM!" is his favorite word of choice. But it's just another reason why this movie is so good. You keep thinking and laughing about it even weeks after you've left the theater behind.

One thing I would also like to suggest is that you pick up the soundtrack for this movie. Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and country superstars Rascall Flatts contribute songs you'll hear in the movie along with a heartachingly wonderful ballad by James Taylor. It's perfect and very family friendly music that will have you singing along no matter where you're going.

The bottom line here is that this movie works because its perfect summertime fare. Light, easy to enjoy, and fun for moms, dads, kids and the speed demon in us all.



-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!