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Cars (2006 - Disney/Pixar)There's an extra coat of hot wax on Pixar's vibrant, NASCAR-influenced comedy about a world populated entirely by cars. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is the slick rookie taking the Piston Cup series by storm when the last race of the season (the film's high-octane opening) ends in a three-way tie. On the way to the tie-breaker race in California, Lightning loses his way off Route 66 in the Southwest desert and is taught to stop and smell the roses by the forgotten citizens of Radiator Springs. It's odd to have such a slim story from the whizzes of Pixar, and the film pales a bit from their other films (though can that be a fair comparison?).
Nonetheless, Cars is another gleaming ride with Pixar founder John Lasseter, who's directing for the first time since Toy Story 2. There's the usual spectrum of excellent characters teamed with appropriate voice talent, loads of smooth humor for kids and parents alike, knockout visuals, and a colorful array of sidekicks, including a scene-stealing baby blue forklift named Guido. Lightning's plight is changed with the help of former big-city lawyer Sally Carrera (Pixar veteran Bonnie Hunt), the town's patriarch Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and kooky tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy). The Incredibles was the first Pixar film to break the 100-minute barrier, but had enough story not to suffer; Cars, at 116 minutes (including some must-see end credit footage), is not as fortunate, plus it never pierces the heart. Trivia fans should have bonanza with the frame-by-frame DVD function; the movie is stuffed with in-jokes, some appearing only for an instant. Ages 5 and up. --Doug Thomas ... Read More » |
Average User Rating: 80% (58 Reviews) | |
| 4 / 5 | Buy it at Sainsbury
Mr. Thomson Duff (Kent, England) - 28 November 2006 I saw this in the cinema and my daughter enjoyed it so I decided ti get it on DVD. I turned to Amazon for this in the mis-guided assumption that they offered the most competitve price. The DVD arrived today and cost me £13.49. Imagine my disappointment when I went to Sainsbury's this afternoon to find the very same DVD for £9.73. £3.76 cheaper than Amazon!! This will make me think twice before buying anything else from Amazon. |
| 5 / 5 | Stunning!!!
Bazzer "Adam" (United Kingdom) - 27 August 2006 Cars, the number one talked about summer blockbuster. But did it reach its full potential? Did it provide laughs and thrills like other Pixar classics such as Finding Nemo and Toy Story. For me, it did. I found the story, the scenery, the characters and even the soundtrack incredible. Although most critics gave it at least 4 stars, many said the story line was a little 'rusty'. But I found it was perfect and was a simple yet well thought out story that is funny, charming and touching in places. So although it wasn't the summer blockbuster people were expecting, for me it was one of the best films I've seen this year.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | I like it
paul lucas (edinburgh) - 17 October 2006 my dad took me to the cinema for the first time to see cars it was good so we went to see it two more times i have got all of the toys and it was exiting and i like lightning who had to pull bessie who made a new road when lightning broke it and sally made him fix it and then luigi gave lightning new tyres and want to the race where lightning went fast and mater went in a helicopter and i'm going to get the DVD for christmas and my friends can watch it at my third birthday party and it's my favourite film and i like it... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Stop and Smell the Pavement
Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - 8 November 2006 Race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) has had a fantastic rookie season and could easily become the first rookie to win the coveted Piston Cup. All he has to do is win the run off race against veteran The King (Richard Petty) and perpetual runner up Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). If he can do that, he might be able to get a new sponsor. After all, being the spokescar for Rust-Eze is a little embarrassing for a sleek racecar like Lightning. On the way to the big race in Los Angeles, Lightning accidentally gets separated from his transport truck and finds himself in Radiator Springs, where he accidentally destroys the road. Much to his dismay, he's sentenced to repave the road before he can continue on the way. Radiator Springs is the town that time forgot. A former way station on the famous Route 66, it is barely surviving now that the big interstate has been build nearby, making stopping there no longer necessary. Of course, this is exactly the type of town Lightning wants to avoid. He's living life in the fast lane and just wants to get on his way. But to complete his community service, he has to deal with the locals. Mater the Tow Truck (Larry the Cable Guy) quickly labels Lightning his best friend and wants to help him have a good time. Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt) is cute and distracts the rather single focused Lightning. In fact, everyone in town seems to enjoy having Lightning around. Everyone but Doc Hudson (Paul Newman). What kind of secret might he have? And will Lightning take what he is learning to heart? This movie might bore kids. More so then other Pixar films, the main conflict is internal, focused on what Lightening is learning from his experiences in Radiator Springs. There is a villain, but he gets little screen time. And this is the first movie to not have on of Pixar's patented climaxes that will not quit. All this isn't to say that the movie is bad. I saw it twice in the theater, and loved every minute of it both times. The story is ultimately heartwarming, the characters endearing, and the movie is funny. The tractor-tipping scene alone is guaranteed to make you laugh. Plus there is lots of fun during and after the final credits. And then there's Pixar's attention to detail. Watching the car's backup lights turn on and off or the bugs being VW Beetles, for example, add to the charm. The animation in the movie is flawless, and many of the scenery shots are absolutely breathtaking. If I didn't know better, I would say they were real. This is a movie to watch on the big screen for those shots alone. Surprisingly, this is the first Pixar film not to get a two disc special edition. Frankly, I find that disappointing. Still, the movie looks and sounds wonderful. There's a new short with Mater, deleted scenes, and the "One Man Band" short that showed in theaters before this movie. While kids might not find it as engaging as Pixar's other films, they will enjoy it. The lack of extras is disappointing, but the film more then makes up for it. This is another triumph for Pixar.... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | The little race car that could
Amanda Richards "Hotpurplekoolaid" (ECD, Guyana) - 13 December 2006 A tale about a red race car A cheeky little brute A lean and mean racing machine but really very cute He dreamed of glory and of fame The rookie was obsessed He had to win the Piston Cup To prove he was the best He had a blow-out, tied the race With Chick Hicks and The King Soon he was California bound Where he could do his thing The biggest race of all his life But on the Interstate His Mack truck snoozed behind the wheel The rest, they say, was fate He charged into the little town of Radiator Springs he shredded asphalt, caused a mess they took away his wings They tasked him with the road repair and he even made some friends It took a while to calm him down But then he made amends He saw the world through open eyes and then he understood There's more to life than speed and fame It's what's under the hood A film that's full of Pixar plugs And lots of movie nods More of a warm and feel good flick Than one that'll push your rods Amanda Richards... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£21.99
Release Date
27 November 2006
Price Range
£4.99 - £16.49