FamilyFans Movies
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Disney / Pixar's: CARS (G)
Plot Summary: When a self-centered rookie racing car gets stranded in a simple western town while on the way to the race of his lifetime, he must learn to fit in with the locals and learn some important life lessons if he ever hopes to make it to the race.
Reason for the Rating: N/A.
Disney and Pixar have done it again. And with CARS they’ve done it well.
The latest in a long line of digitally animated movies that are the favorites of both critics and crowds, CARS will not disappoint anyone who likes these types of films. Much like The Incredibles and Finding Nemo, CARS is a funny, heartwarming movie that the whole family can enjoy. Kids will appreciate its plotline and animation; adults will appreciate some of the humor. Basically, it’s an adult-friendly kids’ movie.
The plot centers around Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson. Lightning is a hotshot rookie racecar with the potential to become the most talented car ever to race. And yes, I did say racecar, not racecar driver. That’s the hook in this movie. All the characters are actually cars. They live in a world much like ours, except one that is populated by automobiles instead of people. The vehicles do most everything that people do—including drive—but in this movie they drive themselves. It may sound a bit confusing, but trust me, it works.
Anyway, back to Lightning
McQueen. As the movie begins, he finds himself in a three-way tie to become the
winner of the coveted Piston Cup. The Piston Cup is the major award in the world
of racing, and winning this would give Lightning everything he’s ever dreamed
of: fame, fortune, prestigious sponsorship, and a name to go down in history.
There’s just one small problem. Lightning is one of the most self-centered cars ever to race. This, of course, becomes his tragic flaw. On the way to the big tiebreaker race that could determine his destiny, his selfishness causes an accident that leaves him stranded in Radiator Springs, an old rundown town full of locals who couldn’t care less about any racing car, no matter how bright his future may be.
What follows is a bit predictable. Lightning only has a week to make it to the big race, but he can’t leave the town until he fixes some damages he caused during the accident. While stuck there, he learns some important lessons about love and friendship. He even learns a thing or two from Doc Hudson, the town judge (voiced by Paul Newman) who also happens to be a racecar legend.
Like I said earlier,
Cars is an enjoyable movie that carries on the tradition of excellence set
by other movies in the Disney/Pixar partnership. I enjoyed it quite a lot, and I
think most families will feel the same way. Actually, the only drawback to the
movie is perhaps the fact that it carries on the tradition so well. In my
opinion, these movies follow a bit of a formula: wow the audience with amazing
animation, follow a simple and predictable plot, and insert a few jokes that
adults can appreciate alongside their kids. It’s not rocket science and it’s
nothing very groundbreaking, so if that’s what you’re looking for you may want
to see something else. However, if you like this kind of movie, you’re sure to
enjoy Cars. It’s impressive and entertaining—everything an animated movie
should be!
FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS: This is a great summer movie for the whole family. It’s definitely worth seeing!
AFTER THE SHOW:
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What do you think Lightning McQeen’s biggest personal flaw was at the beginning of the movie? How did this affect his life in a negative way?
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Why is it important that we learn how to accept help from others and to value friendships? What are some biblical examples of this?
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What do you think Doc Hudson learned through his friendship with Lightning? What can we learn about healthy friendships from their relationship?
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How can we be friends with God? How is that like or unlike the friendships shared in CARS?
AT
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