Movie Review - Cars
Words cannot express the level of admiration I have for the guys (and girls) working at Pixar, they've only gone and done it again. All the other studios must shit themselves every time a new Pixar movie comes out.
Anyhoo. It's brilliant. The animation is ASTOUNDING. I never thought I'd see automobiles brought to life on screen in such an expressive way. I mean, cars aren't meant to show emotion (or provoke emotion from you either, at least not that way), but these do, in a way I would not have thought possible. Every little detail is perfect, for the tires on Lightning McQueen (the 'star' voiced by Owen Wilson, in great form) that have 'Lightyear' on them, rather than 'Goodyear' (an Pixar in-joke that I missed until about halfway through the film), to the leaves on the trees, the chips in the tarmac, the rust on the older cars, it's so, like, unbelieveable, that it's almost real. The cast, from Wilson to Paul Newman as the Mayor of Radiator Springs, to the ubiquitous (in Pixar flicks) John Ratzenberger, Cheech Marin (yay!) and even Michael Keaton as one of Lightning McQueen's rivals, all excel and revel in their roles.
The story, well, have you seen 'Doc Hollywood'? It's the same, pretty much. Big city slicker has an accident on his way to his next big break, winds up in backwater nowhere town, can't leave, hates the place and everything and everyone in it, has to do work to make up for making a mess of things, 'finds himself', finds love, makes lots of friends, and decides to stay.
That's it in a nutshell, but there's so much more, I don't really want to give too much away, because you should really, really, REALLY go an see this film. Go now! Leave work, and go. Or if you can't do that, go tonight. Seriously. You'll have the best time you've ever had (since The Incredibles / Finding Nemo / Monsters Inc / Toy Story 2, need I go on?).
(oh, and the short film at the start, 'One Man Band', isn't very funny. It does make you laugh though. And although it's not very funny, it's brilliant.)
(posts)
4.21-en
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Comments
Excellent mini-review, Matt. Thanks!
I'm really looking forward to seeing this and for many reasons, too. Firstly, I love animated (especially computer generated animation) movies and the likes of Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Toy Story, A Bug's Life, etc. Great stories and characterisation given life through the medium of digital art. Secondly, computer graphics are kind of my passion and area of work so I have an avid interest in them from a technical and creative point-of-view. If anyone were to see my DVD collection they would think I'm a big kid (and they wouldn't be far off the mark!) I'm also a fan of many of the Pixar Shorts - great stuff!
Posted by: SharkyUK | July 31, 2006 4:06 PM
I'm a fan of CGA films too, but I'm mostly a fan of Pixar. I have every one of their films on DVD. I *love* them. Selling Pixar to Disney was the biggest mistake Steve Jobs ever made, even if he did make a few billion off it.
Posted by: Matt | July 31, 2006 4:18 PM
ahem....nerds!! :P
Posted by: Babs | July 31, 2006 4:33 PM
Nerds? No. Geeks? Yes. There's a difference you know! Anyway, nerds or geeks or not, you're still going to love this film.
(nerds indeed, this from the girl who just posted the 'which superhero are you?' thing...? Who's the nerd? HUH?!)
Posted by: Matt | July 31, 2006 4:39 PM
Babs... I am deeply offended by your 'nerd' labelling... ;-)
And the fact that you do not appreciate the fine art of Pixar pixel pushing is inexcusable! Tut tut. :-)
Posted by: SharkyUK | August 1, 2006 12:44 AM
nooooo, you guys just dont get me!! I was slagging off your tech-talk about the film you know? I will love it, its about CARS for gods sake, how could I not, and not only cars, but ones with cute voices and personalities!! Tut-tut off!
Posted by: Babs | August 1, 2006 8:45 AM
Ok - Babs. Your 'apology' is accepted... ;-)
Posted by: SharkyUK | August 1, 2006 9:40 AM
It wasn't an apology! It was an explaination!! Leave me alone or I will get my BIG brother after you!! heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :P
Posted by: Babs | August 1, 2006 9:52 AM
That's right, she'll get her big brother after you, and he'll... hang on, that's me isn't it? Err... he'll tell you off thoroughly. Or something.
Posted by: Matt | August 1, 2006 10:31 AM
yes you will!!! :P
Posted by: Babs | August 1, 2006 10:59 AM
Blinkin' 'eck - we've got a right pair here... ;-) Let's just brush this one under the carpet and move on, i.e. I accept your 'explanationology'... :-)
Posted by: SharkyUK | August 1, 2006 3:21 PM