Not been on here for a long while - got some catching up to do...!
Not been on here for a long while - got some catching up to do...!
Member since:01.09.2004
Reviews:201
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In the world of animated movies, Disney's Pixar is probably regarded as the greatest movie studio, having produced some of the most memorable animated flicks of the past two decades - most notably the Toy Story franchise, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles - with Dreamworks and Pathé following closely behind: Shrek 2, from Dreamworks, might be the highest grossing animated movie of all time, but it's closely followed by Pixar's 2003 hit Finding Nemo, which is ranked as the 11th most financially successful film ever with a total box office taking of £865'000'000. Compared to the other animated studios, Pixar has six films in the top 100 all-time Worldwide Box Office rankings, and they've done it again with this year's motorised success, Cars, which already ranks 58th in the same list.
So what's all the fuss about? It's just another cartoon, isn't it? Well, not really - these days, animated movies are much more than cartoons. They're computer generated films that depict as much depth of perception and understanding for lighting and reflection as any actor, producer or director would have to understand in the making of an everyday blockbuster. The cast of characters are as large and lifelike as Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones
and they tug on your emotions as cleverly as Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.
Animated films have come a long way from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Cars takes the flexibility of animation one step further, however. Whereas other animated box office successes have always kept one toe in the real world, regularly referring to animals or humans or depicting real life creatures, Cars has moved on to create a make-believe world of its own, where human beings don't actually exist and the car really is the Star.
The story revolves around Lightning McQueen, an upstart racecar that is being touted as the next champion of the Piston Cup, a take on the popular American racing series: Nascar. The championship comes down to a tie between McQueen and rivals Chick Hicks and long-time holder of the cup, The King. The three are going to have to battle it out in a championship race to decide the tie, to be held one week later in California.
Sadly, racecar McQueen hasn't yet realised the value of friendship, teamwork and flexibility. Frustrated by what he sees as his pit crew's failings he bawls and berates them until they quit and he forces his truck, Mack, to drive him to California throughout the night without stopping. Lightning McQueen wants to be the first on the scene in California for the cameras.
En route to their destination, however, Mack falls asleep and McQueen wakes up to find himself spinning in the middle of a freeway, his truck nowhere to be seen. Lost, confused and alone he tries to make his own way and quickly finds himself in Radiator Springs, a backwater town left desolate by the building of Route 66. McQueen quickly lands himself in hot water and is sentenced by the local court to do Community Service - the town needs a new road building. If he can complete the task, he'll be free to head on to California and faces his rivals.
The townsfolk feature Sally, an attractive young Porsche formerly a lawyer from the big city; Doc Hudson, a Hudson Hornet from the fifties who's in charge of the town and harbours a big secret; Fillmore, an old VW Camper; Chief, the police car who initially catches McQueen; Flo, Ramone, Luigi, Guido and many more interesting and diverse characters who all make up the population of Radiator Springs.
The character depth is excellent, each taking on his or her role with abundantly good grace, and the animation of the cars is nothing less than you would expect from Pixar. Each one emulates its real-life counterpart with clever touches from the animators to give the appearance of a face and exceptional flexibility to portray emotions. Despite the animated vehicles being the stars of the film, you can't help but feel a liking and an emotional link to each and every one of them.
As with all good cartoons, comedy abounds. The humour is excellent throughout this film, with a good mix of laughs for the children as well as some tongue-in-cheek euphemisms to give the grown-ups a cheeky giggle or two, too. The story line is perhaps a little weak and the direction the film takes is all too obvious, but remember - it's for the children, really, and they watch it with earnest attention, so while mum and dad might be able to work out what's going to happen, the kids don't figure it out until the end.
Big names voice the cars: Owen Wilson does Lightning McQueen, Paul Newman does Doc Hudson, Michael Keaton does Chick Hicks. There are some great cameos, too: Jay Leno is the voice of Jay Limo and several motor-racing heroes also throw in their voices here and there, including the legendary Michael Schumacher, who turns up as a Ferrari to ask for some tyres from Ferrari-obsessed Luigi's tyre-shop. Amusingly, the voice of McQueen's manager appears to be that of Jeremy Clarkson…
Pixar have done wonders with the look and feel of this movie and you're easily drawn in to the high-octane world of motor racing and the slow and pondering environment that is modern-day Radiator Springs.
Can McQueen build the road? Can he make it to California in time? Will he be the Piston Cup Champion and can he do anything to help the residents of Radiator Springs get back some of the trade lost when Route 66 was built?
Most importantly, however - who will be his new Pit Crew?
If you like your feel-good animated-flicks, then Cars is definitely a must-see. If you've never watched one of the myriads of cartoon-like movies produced by Pixar and their counterparts, then this is as good a-one as any to go and see.
Personally, I'd watch it over and over, if only to see the rear of that Porsche. Hmmm, quite attractive, really. Well done Pixar.
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You fancy the back end of a car? So that is why are fixated by fast cars. It isn't the speed and power after all. Hmm. Good review anyhow. We shall have to get it for the boy. He already has merchandise!
newty1977 06.11.2006 23:18
Hehehe ... great review dude! Not seem but will defo have to check it out ;~)
thereddragon 02.11.2006 17:27
I LOVED this film - I don't normally go in for cartoons or animated films, but this was a big exception. The characters were so likeable and individual, and the animation so well done, the cars so believeably 'human' with their little individual quirks and facial expressions - so cute. Of course, the fact that I'm a massive classic car and sports car fanatic also helps. Good review!
Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is a cocky rookie race car. Speeding on his way ... more
to a big race he crashes into Radiator Springs destroying lots of the inhabitants' belongings! In order to make up for what he did the raucous roadster is s...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Good CGI, interesting characters, nice concept, quite heart warming Disadvantages: Quite long, story is a little slow half way through (may bore younger kids)
IzzyS 07.03.2008 (07.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Cars (DVD)
Advantages: Good CGI, interesting characters, nice concept, quite heart warming Disadvantages: Quite long, story is a little slow half way through (may bore younger kids)
IzzyS 07.03.2008 (07.03.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Cars (DVD)
Advantages: One of all-time great comedies; Hughes' best with Martin & Candy making a great team Disadvantages: Bonus features could have been improved; no commentary, no Martin
Advantages: Excellent documentary about the biggest conspiracy in the auto industry Disadvantages: Will no doubt make you angry and outrage that electric cars are not still existing
![Cars [DVD] [2006]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78226357.jpg "Cars [DVD] [2006]")
Oct 30th, 2006
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