Cars (2006)
I know that Cars is a kids’ franchise, and the Disneyland bumper cars ride was revamped so the little ones could hear their favorite voices and see the funky faces, but most of it is geared to the adults – from start to finish, really. How many little kids really love car races anyway? The name of Owen Wilson’s character is Lightening McQueen, a very sweet tribute to Steve McQueen, and Steve’s pal and fellow racecar driver Paul Newman contributes one of the other voices. How many children know anything about Paul Newman other than his salad dressing and lemonade?
Pretty much all of the humor is aimed high above the kids’ heads, which is fine as long as you know that going in. The movie pokes fun at infomercials, focuses on the benefits of taking a step back from “living life in the fast lane”, includes flirtatious banter, and attaches stereotypes to different car models that today’s audiences would undoubtedly find offensive. However, those who still love the Tiki Room might just look at this franchise as the Tiki Room of cars.
What I love about this movie is Paul Newman. With the shoe on the other foot, he gets to play the stern judge who sentences a cocky rebel to community service and road repair. We don’t get to see him, but his car does have blue eyes, and it’s a Hudson – isn’t that adorable? I know this sounds silly, but if he weren’t in it, I might not have made it through this movie. While I was appreciating him, I also liked trying to guess the voices of the supporting cars, like Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, John Ratzenberger, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Keaton, George Carlin, Cheech Marin, Paul Dooley, and some real racecar drivers, too! Plus there are very cute cameos from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Dave Foley (just make sure you don’t leave before the end credits are done).
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. The first 15 minutes of the movie feature a car race with spinning cameras, flashy lights, and sudden zooms, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!
More Paul Newman movies here!
More Owen Wilson movies here!
Pretty much all of the humor is aimed high above the kids’ heads, which is fine as long as you know that going in. The movie pokes fun at infomercials, focuses on the benefits of taking a step back from “living life in the fast lane”, includes flirtatious banter, and attaches stereotypes to different car models that today’s audiences would undoubtedly find offensive. However, those who still love the Tiki Room might just look at this franchise as the Tiki Room of cars.
What I love about this movie is Paul Newman. With the shoe on the other foot, he gets to play the stern judge who sentences a cocky rebel to community service and road repair. We don’t get to see him, but his car does have blue eyes, and it’s a Hudson – isn’t that adorable? I know this sounds silly, but if he weren’t in it, I might not have made it through this movie. While I was appreciating him, I also liked trying to guess the voices of the supporting cars, like Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, John Ratzenberger, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Keaton, George Carlin, Cheech Marin, Paul Dooley, and some real racecar drivers, too! Plus there are very cute cameos from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Dave Foley (just make sure you don’t leave before the end credits are done).
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. The first 15 minutes of the movie feature a car race with spinning cameras, flashy lights, and sudden zooms, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!
More Paul Newman movies here!
More Owen Wilson movies here!