Disney scores again with this fast paced animated movie. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is an up and coming racing star who gets in a three way tie at the big race and heads off for a rematch. On the way he gets dumped off his trailer and wrecks into the town of Radiator Springs located on Route 66. Radiator Springs was just a little town that might have otherwise been forgotten had it not been for the the interstate that passes right by it. While making amends he falls in love with Sally (Bonnie Hunt) and befriends the locals.****

The cast of this movie was astounding. There are too many stars to name drop but when Pixar can get legends like Paul Newman to lend a voice you know there is a hit to be found. Larry the Cable Guy (Master) steals the scenes that he is in, along with other comedians Cheech Marin, George Carlin, and Monk's Tony Shalhoub. It pushes over the hour and a half mark but still manages to keep a kids attention pretty well.****

The best thing about this movie is the heart. You may think that it is geared for kids but wait for the message in the story. It's all about patience and understanding. It's about how someone who is self absorbed who has to learn a life lesson. He has to learn to be appreciative for what he has and learn what is most important in life, his friends.

Image and Sound:

I loved having the surround sound for this movie. Whenever the cars whizzed around, it was loads of fun. The soundtrack was jammed with county stars and although I am not a huge fan of country music it was foot tapping fun. The picture of course is brilliant. It was full of bright colors and sharp images. Animation as always with Pixar blows me away. Although every character in the film is a car, they are able to bring life to everyone and make us believe they are real.

There was pretty slim pickings for a Pixar DVD but a couple things worth looking at. There is a new cartoon "Master and Ghost Light" which is cute but not my favorite short. The other short "One Man Band" was a much better short that was actually nominated for an academy award. There are four deleted scene that are in storybook form with the voices that seemed out of place with the rest of the movie. In the featurette about the inspiration of "Cars" as told by director John Lasseter. His dad was a car parts manager and his kids inspired him to take a road trip while they were still young enough to appreciate the time spent with their dad. There are plenty of tongue in cheek Pixar shout outs and watch for the credits at the end. Not a very tricked out DVD but a few to check out if you are a fan.

Final Words: