Movie Review:
Cars

Director: John Lasseter
Production Company: Disney/Pixar
Cast: Paul Newman, Richard Petty, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Dan Whitney, John Ratzenberger, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, George Carlin, R. Lee Emery, Tom Magliozzi, Ray Magliozzi
Rating: G

By Gregg Tubbs

(UMC.org)—Hybrids are the latest technology in automobiles, pairing the power of a gasoline engine with the smooth economy of an electric motor. But Cars, the latest offering from Disney/Pixar, is a hybrid of a different and delightful kind. It combines the sleek, “wow”-worthy visuals of Pixar’s computer animation with the rich, old-fashioned storytelling of classic Disney. While computer animation has never looked so good, the team that brought us Toy Story and Finding Nemo knows—just like any good race car driver—that it’s what’s under the hood that counts. Pop the hood on Cars and you’ll find an engine purring with soul, humor and solid life-lessons, fueled by pure heart.

Pop the hood on Cars and you’ll find an engine purring with soul, humor and solid life-lessons, fueled by pure heart. Copyright © 2006 Walt Disney Pictures

It wasn’t long ago that most of the voice work in animated films was done by expressive, but largely unknown actors. But recently, particularly after career resuscitating voice work by the likes of Robin Williams (Aladdin) and Eddie Murphy (Shrek), “A-list” stars have been lining up to lend their vocal talents to cartoon characters, with animators using the actors’ established screen personas as an integral part of the characters. Cars boasts an all-star cast, featuring the voices of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and even Larry the Cable Guy. The presence of NASCAR legends like Richard Petty, Mario Andretti and Dale Earnhardt Jr. voicing four-wheeled characters is a special treat for race fans.

In a world populated by cars, not people, Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is speed personified. He’s also callow, self-centered, and oblivious to the feelings and contributions of those who have helped him along the way. Poised to become the only rookie to win racing’s ultimate crown, the Piston Cup, McQueen scuttles himself during the championship race by callously firing his Pit Boss. Moments after declaring he’s a “one man show,” he blows a tire and then the race. McQueen begins a cross-country journey to California for an unprecedented tie-breaking race with current champ “The King” (voiced by Richard Petty) and conniving perennial runner-up Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). But along the way, his journey becomes more about self-discovery and less about winning a race.

With the help of the colorful, but goodhearted cars of Radiator Springs, McQueen (Owen Wilson) learns that in his race to succeed he has been speeding past the things that really count. Copyright © 2006 Walt Disney Pictures

When he accidentally leaves the interstate, McQueen finds himself lost and scared on old Route 66. After recklessly zooming through the center of the dilapidated little town of Radiator Springs, he gets impounded and sentenced to community service. Nothing could be more foreign to McQueen than the idea of “community service” since he has never really done anything for anyone else before. McQueen has been so focused on winning and glory that he literally has no family or friends; even his agent is just a faceless voice on a cell phone. However, in Radiator Springs the car who personifies speed is forced to slow down. With the help of the colorful, but goodhearted cars of Radiator Springs, he learns that in his race to succeed he has been speeding past the things that really count—things like friendship, loyalty, and God’s beautiful creation. Perhaps most importantly, he learns that it is immensely more satisfying to help others than to simply look out for his own interests.

From Doc (Paul Newman), McQueen (Owen Wilson) learns his most important lesson: winning at all costs is no way to run a race and that honor, respect and decency spell victory as clearly as crossing the finish line first. Copyright © 2006 Walt Disney Pictures

Writer/Director John Lasseter has said his inspiration for the film was a recent family trip across the length of “the Mother Road,” Route 66, which helped him slow down and drew him closer to his family. With Cars, he also gives us a loving portrait of the old road and the little towns now bypassed by the interstate highway system, each filled with unique character and good folk struggling to survive. With its visual treats, colorful characters, lessons in values and affectionate slice of Americana, Cars is a family film worth getting revved up about.

Gregg Tubbs is a freelance writer living in Columbia, Md.

This review was developed by UMC.org, the official online ministry of The United Methodist Church

Study Questions

• What was your first impression of Lightening McQueen? Would you want a friend like him? Have you ever known someone like him?
• Do you see anything wrong with the pursuit of prizes and fame? Are there things you wouldn’t do to win?
• Do you see McQueen as a reflection of athletes and entertainers of today? What are the similarities? What about people who put career over friends and family?
• McQueen learns to love the cars of Radiator Springs, even though he first looked down on them. What is the lesson there? Can it be applied to our daily lives?
• Have you ever felt the need to “slow down”? Do you believe God speaks to us in those moments or are we more open to hearing God’s voice then?
• McQueen learned many lessons from the cars of Radiator Springs. What did they learn from him? How did he energize the town? What effect did he have on Doc, Mater and Sally?
• Did McQueen lose the final race or did he come out a winner? Did Chick Hicks actually lose? Why or why not?
• One could say that although McQueen loses the race, he gains his soul. Compare this to the Christian notion of self-sacrifice (see Matt. 16:24-26), particularly the example of Jesus. What are the similarities and differences?
• What might the fact that McQueen has no headlights symbolize? What does it say about his ability to “see” what is important? Do you think he earns his headlights in the end?
• The film is about the many things that are more important than winning. What do you think those things are? How could you apply this lesson to your own life?

Group Activities

Enlightening “Lightening” McQueen: By the end of the film, Lightening McQueen clearly has become a different person. As a group, explore his change in character by studying the championship race in California. Dissect the race and identify each place where the “new” McQueen responds in a way the old McQueen never would. List these on a blackboard or piece of newsprint, if available. Then go back through his time in Radiator Springs and identify when he learned these new values and who helped him learn those lessons. What did he learn from Doc? What did Mater teach him about friendship? What role did Sally play? Finally, compare his actions during the championship race with those of Chick Hicks to see how far Lightening McQueen has come.

On the Road: Writer/Director John Lassiter was inspired by a family trip across rural Route 66, which drew him closer to his family. For this activity, ask volunteers to share the story of a trip that changed their lives. It could be a family trip, a church or school trip—even a mission trip. Ask persons to share what they learned and who or what influenced them. Did the trip cause a spiritual reawakening? Was it a reunion with someone or something? Did the trip bring them closer to someone in their lives or help them achieve a greater appreciation of nature? Or did it help them learn to slow down, just like Lightening McQueen did on his drive with Sally? Finally, read aloud and discuss one of the most famous “road trips” in the Bible—Paul’s life-changing experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-22).

Driver and Crew: One of the things McQueen learns is that he is not a “one man show.” He has benefited from the help and support of his pit crew and sponsors from “Rusteze.” For this activity, explore the relationship between driver and crew—the role between those who lead and those who support. Find out how your group members view themselves. Ask those who would be most comfortable as “drivers” to go to one side of the room. Then ask those who would be most comfortable working in the “pit crew” to stand on the other. How did your team divide? Were their more drivers than crew members? Discuss the importance of the kind of support given by a pit crew. As group members to consider who plays the role of pit crew in their lives and share this with the group. Who supports them? For a biblical perspective on roles and gifts and the importance of every member of the team, read and discuss 1 Cor. 12:1-31.

Theatrical Trailer
Macromedia Flash