Cars (2006)

I don’t think Pixar is capable of making a lousy film. I saw Cars (2006) on the weekend and was very impressed.

With every film, the animation team at Pixar seems to up the ante in terms of the 3D worlds they create. The 3D environments are incredibly detailed and photorealistic. The car characters are a bit cartoon-like but this helps to create some unique characters.

There is one scene where the main character, Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt) go for a drive in the country. Spectacular! The music, the camera angles and the 70s film stock look is incredibly convincing. You’ll feel like you’re watching a scene from Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds and Sally Field instead of a 3D film.

There is another sequence where we get a glimpse of what life was like in an old town on Route 66 (Radiator Springs). An old film stock look, desaturated colours and a James Taylor song transport us back to a town that looks like Mayberry.

Aside from the incredible visuals and a great story, the actors that voice the 3D characters are top-notch — Paul Newman, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, John Ratzenberger and more.

Cars is the 3D movie to see this summer.

Posted in Movie Reviews at 12:52 PM