Cars (Blu-ray + DVD) (2006)

Editor's Note Talking cars rediscover the quirky originality of middle America in this inventive animated film from the folks at Pixar (TOY STORY, FINDING NEMO). Owen Wilson does the voice of arrogant rookie racecar Lightning McQueen, who winds up stranded in the small desert town of Radiator Springs on his way west to a big showdown. Sentenced to community service after literally tearing up the road in a high-speed chase, at first all Lightning can think of is getting back to the world of corporate sponsorship and merchandising tie-ins he loves so well. Eventually, however, the eccentric residents of Radiator Springs begin to grow on him, especially the attractive lady Porsche lawyer (Bonnie Hunt) and a rusty old tow-truck (Larry the Cable Guy). There's also a hippie Volkswagen (George Carlin), a low-riding T-bird (Cheech Martin) and Paul Newman as the gruff, curmudgeonly Doc Hudson, the town judge who harbors his own checkered-flag past. The story may not be new, but Pixar's precision-engineered animation brilliantly illuminates the town and its surrounding cactus-studded vistas down to the minutest detail, and director/writer John Lasseter keeps the film's satiric wit and generous heart in perfect alignment. Adults in the audience should appreciate the film's celebration of old-school American eccentricity, and the kids will dig all the thunderous grit and high-octane wheel burning. Randy Newman composed the score; James Taylor sings one of the songs.

	Michael Keaton - Voice
	Bonnie Hunt - Voice
	Kiel Murray - Screenwriter
	Randy Newman - Composer
	Bob Costas - Voice
	George Carlin - Voice
	Dan Fogelman - Screenwriter
	Darla Anderson - Producer
	Owen Wilson - Voice
	Larry the Cable Guy - Voice
	Phil Lorin - Screenwriter
	Paul Newman - Voice
	Cheech Marin - Voice
	John Lasseter - Screenwriter
	John Lasseter - Director

Rolling Stone
3.5 stars out of 4 -- "CARS is family fun, brimming with surprises....A class act all the way. Pixar does it again." 06/15/2006 p.106

Los Angeles Times
"[Powered] by warmth, emotion and good-hearted charm. It offers the kinds of sensations all Hollywood once did, and it makes us remember why those films made us care..." 06/09/2006 p.E1

Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "As a technical achievement, CARS is peerless....[The cars] are alive and the team has faithfully crafted an environment for the characters." 06/01/2006 p.38

Box Office
3.5 stars out of 5 -- "CARS is all about shifting to a lower gear, getting out of the fast lane and how the journey in life is its own reward." 07/01/2006 p.62

Sight and Sound
"The voice-cast is given a lift by Paul Newman, whose deep tones dignify his character....Its eye-boggling giant stadiums and desert vistas fill the biggest cinema screen..." 08/01/2006 p.66

Entertainment Weekly
"When it comes to unlikely anthropomorphization, Pixar isn't afraid to raise the bar." -- Grade: A 11/17/2006 p.107

Premiere
"[A]ll of its automobiles brim with personality....The story makes some typically Pixar points on community and friendship, and the design and animation is typically thrilling." 12/01/2006 p.129

Entertainment Weekly
Included in Entertainment Weekly's "Top 10 Films Of The Year" -- "John Lasseter's witty, enchanting, gorgeously designed NASCAR fantasia is a luscious piece of American pop art..." 12/29/2006 p.108