Cars (Disney/Pixar DVD-Video set)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: B+ Film: B
Vrrrrroooom!
Throw your DVD player into 3rd
Gear and get ready to race into the fantastic world of Disney & Pixar’s Cars.
From the studio that has brought the world such great classics as Toy Story, Monster’s Inc, The
Incredibles, and Finding Nemo we
now are taken into the fast paced world run by automobiles that can talk,
learn, and love just like humans. The
story centers on a hotshot rookie racecar Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen
Wilson) who has spent so much time thinking about himself and being number one
that his life is unknowingly passing him by with no friends, family, or reason
for being. On a trip cross country, housed
in his carrier truck Mack (voiced by Pixar familiar John Ratzenberger),
Lightning McQueen finds some misfortune when he falls of his carrier and ends
up in the small, forgotten, town on old Route 66 of Radiator Springs. Arriving in this small town McQueen tears up
the town’s central road, something the town’s folk hold dear, and is taken into
custody until the road is adequately repaired.
In his time in this town Lightning McQueen learns a great deal about
love, respect, others, and himself.
This
Computer Graphically Animated Feature hosts a variety of talented voice actors
such as Paul Newman (Doc), Tony Shalhoub (Luigi) and Bonnie Hunt (Sally), great
animation, and an excellent storyline with humor, heart, and speed. With each and every Feature Film Disney/Pixar
refines and improves their animation to the point of stunning. Cars
is not the best storyline to come from Disney/Pixar but it manages to capture
an audience none the less, and is sure to keep people of all ages entertained
with every viewing.
Not only
does Cars demonstrate great
animation but this time around Disney/Pixar invested a great deal of time in
the film’s soundtrack. In many cases
recruiting famous musical artists of the day to comprise a soundtrack can
backfire, but in the case of Cars
the soundtrack fits excellently and flowingly.
Many popular hits of the past such as “Life is a Highway” have been rerecorded for an updated country feel
for the film. An array of artists makeup
the soundtrack to this film such as Rascal Flatts, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, and
James Taylor. Overall, the soundtrack
compliments the superb animation very well and creates a memorable atmosphere.
The
picture, sound, and extras on this DVD are outstanding. The picture is presented in the original
theatrical widescreen in a 2.35:1 format, enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The picture quality is stunning, only very
few times the background scenery seemingly taking a backseat to the characters
in some scenes being somewhat light. In
the end, this DVD’s picture quality is great and is a must see. The sound is right up there with the picture
being clear, crisp, and the music being excellently entwined within the
film. The sound is presented in Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround EX and is THX certified.
The extras on this set are quite entertaining. The special features for this DVD include a
brand new short entitled “Mater and the Ghost Light,” a second short as viewed
in the original theatrical version “One
Man Band,” a featurette on the Inspiration
for Cars, Deleted Scenes, and more.
This DVD has many qualities for other DVDs to aspire to with its great
sound and picture quality as well as it plethora of entertaining extras.
For
adults, families, teenagers, senior citizens or whatever the audience is Cars is sure to bring entertainment for
all. Cars is an all around well made film with its groundbreaking
animation, pop soundtrack, and superb voice cast. Cars from
beginning to end brings something to the table for all and viewers will want to
watch again and again. So everyone
should race to grab this fast paced and red hot animated adventure.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
