C a r s

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Summary:
The latest and greatest rookie hotshot racecar is lost in a small town just before he's to go to California to attend the first three-way tie breaker race in history.  His future is riding the line with this race, but he's stuck with a bunch of low-class small town losers and unable to escape until he repaves the road that he destroyed.

Review:
It's a relief to see that even now, Pixar has been keeping a consistent winning streak with animated entertainment.  Each year, you can see how much they've improved their animation skills technically, but they haven't been so bogged down with making their movies look good to lag behind in terms of story. It's good for us, and once again Pixar takes the winner's cup as far as the year goes (so far) with CGI animated features.
It's not a story concept that hasn't been played numerous times in the past, but THIS time, it's about CARS... and they can talk! The logic of this actually happening is far from plausible. Every night, I open my front door, expecting to catch my car in the act, but I've never caught him/her talking to its' neighbor car. I doubt that they can really do this. However, this is a fantasy tale for children and their parents - and people like me who are grown up now but still want to watch junk like this - so you have to suspend your disbelief enough to keep watching.

The opening scene was a rollicking good time, as we catch Lightning McQueen duking it out in a pumped up stock car race, weaving in and out of dozens of cars to reach first place, meanwhile flying through the hazy smoke of a massive car crash to come out on top - sort of. It's an opening that is sure to grab your attention, and if it doesn't, you should probably go next door and see Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift instead. Have fun. I won't see you there!
I had more fun once he's on his trip to California, only to be suddenly lulled out of his sleep on a freeway in the middle of the night after some hoodlum ricers start playing slow music to make his Mac driver (named "Mac") to fall asleep at the wheel. Next thing you know, he's stuck in Podunkville with a bunch of loser, UNFAMOUS cars, and no way to escape. The story of course leads McQueen into an epiphanal realization in which he learns that looks, speed and popularity isn't everything. How could it be?
There are a number of tender moments, and some exciting car chase sequences in between, as the relationship between Lightning and the townfolk becomes softer. Perhaps he'll learn that what's under the hood is more important than the outer shell upon first appearance. I don't know.
There were also a fair share of clever puns and regular setups, but with cars in the mix as the lead characters it makes things funny in a new way. Such as tractor tipping. I thought that was kinda funny! I also had a great time with the fluid and colorful animation, giving my eyes a treat while also being entertained with the storyline. It's always a pleasure having Paul Newman onscreen... even if he's an old car!

For those looking for another winner CGI animated feature that is good for the entire family, this is worth checking out. Or, if you're like me and don't mind seeing movies as if you're a 7 year old who loves cool cars, then this would also be a blast to check out. Ultimately, it's not their BEST movie to date (I still have a soft spot for Toy Story, Monsters, Inc. and The Incredibles), but it's sure to entertain the younger kids and keep the adults happy enough to keep watching - WITHOUT worrying about dirty little 'adult' jokes that many features have been doing these last several years (especially Shrek).

Good fun, excellent animation, and a decent storyline makes Cars worth seeing.

GRADE: B

Reviewed: 7/19/06