With the checkered flag bound to wave in its favor, “Cars” roars into theaters this weekend. The newest collaboration between Disney and Pixar Studios confirms this dream team is speeding toward the animation winner’s circle leaving all the other movie studios in the dust.
Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) has the opportunity to do something no other car in his position -- a rookie -- has ever done: win the coveted Piston Cup. It’s what his dreams are made of, getting a new sponsorship, more fans, more admirers and being able to dump his less than appealing current sponsors, Rust-eze bumper cream.
But two other cars stand in his way, the King (Richard Petty) and Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). After a three-way tie in Round One, the cars have a week to prepare and get to California for a final race to see who is the ultimate winner.
On his way to the new racetrack, McQueen finds himself lost and in trouble with the law just outside of a po-dunk town called Radiator Springs. The town was left behind in the age of Route 66 when a highway was built a few miles away. Customers and visitors are slim to none, leaving the town puttering along.
Radiator Springs’ quirky residents each teach McQueen that there are a few things more important than fame and sponsorships. Mayor and lawmaker Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), a hard-boiled ‘51 Hudson Hornet who knows something about racing, drives home the need for responsibility and hard work. Mator (Larry the Cable Guy), the rusty but lovable tow truck, finds happiness in the little things and teaches McQueen the ways of tractor tipping. Sally (Bonnie Hunt) shows him some tough love and dedication to a town she’s passionate about.
But as his time in Radiator Springs diminishes, it’s hard to tell whether or not these new ethics and morals will stick with him as the fame, the fortune and the race are calling.
“Cars” will have audiences revved up at it accelerates down the enjoyable movie track. Director John Lasseter takes his prior experience with animated films (he also directed both “Toy Story” movies and “A Bug’s Life”) to create another masterpiece.
Disney and Pixar know how to cater to its mixed ages audience. With movies about talking fish and monsters that come from the closest, the studios have the fun for children (talking cars, check) and the subtle jokes and innuendos for the older crowd (like someone shouting “Free Bird!” when McQueen is tongue-tied on stage).
The movie’s voices are veritable a who’s who of Hollywood. Wilson was the perfect match for the rookie McQueen. To say that Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy -- who has the endearing Mator down pat -- have chemistry may seem a stretch but it’s true.
Newman has that gruff voice with a soft side needed in a role like Doc Hudson. There’s star power in the supporting voices as well with the likes of Cheech Marin (Ramone), George Carlin (Filmore) and Wisconsin’s own Tony Shalhoub (Luigi).
The only voice that someone may feel could have been better cast was Hunt as Sally; her voice really doesn’t really capture the youth and vibrancy of a 2002 Porsche.
The animation and attention to detail is still breathtaking. Landscapes and even flies resemble car parts in a non-distracting way that only adds to the world of “Cars.”
Stick around for the credits as movie creators hilariously spoof past Disney and Pixar hits “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.”
There’s also the treat short film before the full-length feature. This go-round it’s “One Man Band.” Two dueling one-man bands compete for the affection and money of a small child in a town square. The two battle too fervently and get themselves into trouble.
Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) has the opportunity to do something no other car in his position -- a rookie -- has ever done: win the coveted Piston Cup. It’s what his dreams are made of, getting a new sponsorship, more fans, more admirers and being able to dump his less than appealing current sponsors, Rust-eze bumper cream.
But two other cars stand in his way, the King (Richard Petty) and Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). After a three-way tie in Round One, the cars have a week to prepare and get to California for a final race to see who is the ultimate winner.
On his way to the new racetrack, McQueen finds himself lost and in trouble with the law just outside of a po-dunk town called Radiator Springs. The town was left behind in the age of Route 66 when a highway was built a few miles away. Customers and visitors are slim to none, leaving the town puttering along.
Radiator Springs’ quirky residents each teach McQueen that there are a few things more important than fame and sponsorships. Mayor and lawmaker Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), a hard-boiled ‘51 Hudson Hornet who knows something about racing, drives home the need for responsibility and hard work. Mator (Larry the Cable Guy), the rusty but lovable tow truck, finds happiness in the little things and teaches McQueen the ways of tractor tipping. Sally (Bonnie Hunt) shows him some tough love and dedication to a town she’s passionate about.
But as his time in Radiator Springs diminishes, it’s hard to tell whether or not these new ethics and morals will stick with him as the fame, the fortune and the race are calling.
“Cars” will have audiences revved up at it accelerates down the enjoyable movie track. Director John Lasseter takes his prior experience with animated films (he also directed both “Toy Story” movies and “A Bug’s Life”) to create another masterpiece.
Disney and Pixar know how to cater to its mixed ages audience. With movies about talking fish and monsters that come from the closest, the studios have the fun for children (talking cars, check) and the subtle jokes and innuendos for the older crowd (like someone shouting “Free Bird!” when McQueen is tongue-tied on stage).
The movie’s voices are veritable a who’s who of Hollywood. Wilson was the perfect match for the rookie McQueen. To say that Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy -- who has the endearing Mator down pat -- have chemistry may seem a stretch but it’s true.
Newman has that gruff voice with a soft side needed in a role like Doc Hudson. There’s star power in the supporting voices as well with the likes of Cheech Marin (Ramone), George Carlin (Filmore) and Wisconsin’s own Tony Shalhoub (Luigi).
The only voice that someone may feel could have been better cast was Hunt as Sally; her voice really doesn’t really capture the youth and vibrancy of a 2002 Porsche.
The animation and attention to detail is still breathtaking. Landscapes and even flies resemble car parts in a non-distracting way that only adds to the world of “Cars.”
Stick around for the credits as movie creators hilariously spoof past Disney and Pixar hits “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.”
There’s also the treat short film before the full-length feature. This go-round it’s “One Man Band.” Two dueling one-man bands compete for the affection and money of a small child in a town square. The two battle too fervently and get themselves into trouble.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
