- Film Review
- Reviewed By Leslie Felperin
-
3 out of 5
After a near unprecedented string of critical and box-office smash hits, beginning with Toy Story in 1995, animation studio Pixar produced its first disappointment with Cars. In a bizarre and slightly creepy world where all the characters are motor vehicles, red racer Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is a preening, hotshot track star who, on the way to a big meet in LA, becomes stranded in the small town of Radiator Springs off Route 66. There, the residents, including a cute female Porsche (Bonnie Hunt) and a wise old-timer with a secret past (Paul Newman), teach McQueen a few lessons about the value of taking things slow and enjoying life. The middle act is too sedate and the jokes are below par. But, on the plus side, the racing sequences are mini-masterpieces of editing and the animation is consistently impressive. And if you're watching the UK release version of the film, you'll recognise Harv's dulcet tones - yes, it's Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson.
Plot Summary
Animated comedy fantasy featuring the voices of Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman and Owen Wilson. In a world populated by talking cars, brash rookie racer Lightning McQueen becomes stranded in the out-of-the-way town of Radiator Springs while on his way to a championship decider in California. Forced to defend himself in court after vandalising the backwater's main road, the cocky McQueen begins to understand that there's more to life than just winning races.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lightning McQueen
- Owen Wilson
- Doc Hudson
- Paul Newman
- Sally Carrera
- Bonnie Hunt
- Mater
- Larry the Cable Guy
- Ramone
- Richard "Cheech" Marin
- Filmore
- George Carlin
- The King
- Richard Petty
- Chick Hicks
- Michael Keaton
- Luigi
- Tony Shalhoub
- Mack
- John Ratzenberger
- Harv
- Jeremy Clarkson
- Harv
- Jeremy Piven
Crew
- Director
- John Lasseter
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