Cars

Relationships have always been a focus of Pixar animations. Whether it’s between a child and his toys, a father and son, a visionary and his community or a family who have forgotten how to communicate, these films have highlighted the significance of belonging and being loved. Through their balance of sentiment with humour, Pixar’s stable of movies has delved into emotional subjects without succumbing to mawkishness.

The seventh addition to the Pixar collection is Cars, a moral fable about selfishness. Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is a bright red race car and the most successful rookie on the American circuit in years. Vying with two other champions for the Piston Cup, McQueen’s plans for his life are pretty much focused on fame, success and glory. These are the things of his dreams and his life’s ambition.

McQueen is a purpose-built race car. The track is the place where he feels most comfortable. With the exception of some stickers, he is without headlights as he doesn’t need them for racing. Nor does he have side mirrors. His eyes are fixed firmly ahead; to McQueen winning is everything.

On his way to California for a deciding race, McQueen accidentally slides out from his transportation truck. In his panic he leaves the motorway and, after tearing up the road, finds himself tyre-clamped in Radiator Springs. Somewhat bewildered by the locals, especially the gruff Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), McQueen soon learns that his fame counts for little.

Sentenced to fix the road in the forgotten town, McQueen is desperate to finish the job so he can make it California. But speed is not always the best asset.

Befriended by the toothy rustbucket Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and bewitched by the shimmering Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt), McQueen is surprised by the impact a little kindness can have.

Cars is directed by Oscar winner John Lasseter - one of the founders of Pixar and the director of their first three feature films, Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bug’s Life. Cars reflects the passion Lasseter has held since childhood and while there are enough gags and puns to keep parents amused, there is a childlike excitement about these machines that pervades the film.

One of the most endearing elements of Lasseter and co’s movies are their capacity for genuine emotion. The animated world these filmmakers create are so engrossing that it’s easy to forget that we are being made to care for fish or monsters, ants or toys. Mostly the main Pixar characters are not people, yet they exude the emotional range of human beings. So how does Cars compare?

With cutting edge animation and vibrant vocal performances, Cars is a sleek and shiny production. From the billowing dust to the crashing waterfalls, this is a beautiful film to watch. Yet it is not the equal of its predecessors. Perhaps it is the overwhelming nostalgia that permeates every scene. Perhaps it is the characterisation which, at times, verges on the shallow and cliched. Perhaps it is the strange similarity to the 1991 film, Doc Hollywood. While the film is flawed and overlong, these imperfections aren’t lethal. There is enough of the Pixar magic to keep things humming. While it may not be the classic it would like to be, it’s worth taking the ride.

Fun and sometimes charming, the film yearns for a time when life moved more slowly. When people (or cars) stopped to take in the scenery, when the journey was as important as the destination. Cars issues a plea for community and for friendship. But while the messages are plainly evident and the themes are heartfelt, it is unlikely we will care as much about these cars as the filmmakers do.

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