Cars (DVD)
The running time is 1 hr. 56 mins..
Cars is a by-the-book animated feature focused on... well... cars, primarily Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), a race car with an eye on the Piston Cup. After a race at the beginning of the film ends in a three-way tie a special three-car race is scheduled and will be held in California one week later. McQueen and his competitors must make their way across the country only McQueen ends up side-tracked and in trouble in the town of Radiator Springs off of the famous Route 66. This is where this cocky little race car is going to get a taste of the real world and learn his lesson along the way. Like I said, by-the-book, but I still liked it.
I am not one of those people in the camp that says all of Pixar's movies are great. Personally I didn't think Monsters, Inc. or Toy Story 2 are really even worth a second watch, and after my first viewing I wasn't sold on The Incredibles, but I have come to like that movie much more now. Cars is a Pixar film I am happy to put in my "Like" column. It looks phenomenal of course, Pixar's animators are the best there are and there is no debating that. The movie is funny and kids as well as adults will love it. I mentioned the storyline is simple, but it works, and it works because even though it is simple there is enough story to sustain the duration of the picture. At no moment does the story take a back seat to the animation, which has been known to happen in this new day and age of CG-animated pictures.
As for this DVD I already told you there isn't a lot to brag about and a two-disc edition is sure to be just around the corner. Let's look at the features anyway:
Inspiration for Cars (16 mins) - A short look at what inspired John Lasseter in making Cars, not only from its beginnings but the creative process and his travels from the racetrack to life on Route 66 and the myriad of individuals he met on the way. Not a great feature, but it does add a little perspective to the characters in the film.
Deleted Scenes (10:25) - A handful of scenes that weren't completed and, even though I normally don't like deleted scenes for animated pictures, I think I must like these characters more than I thought because I did sort of enjoy this bunch. Just know they are all roughly animated storyboards, not completed scenes. Director John Lasseter introduces each with a short audio description of what you are about to see.
Epilogue (4:17) - A short look at Radiator Springs once the movie ended. It's not too bad and I am actually surprised they didn't throw it at the end of the movie following the credits.
One Man Band (4:30) - Traditionally I haven't really enjoyed the animated shorts before movies, but this is a little gem. It features two dueling one-man-band acts (Bass and Treble) as they compete for a coin from Tippy, a young girl just looking to cast a wish in the well at the center of the courtyard. "One Man Band" was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2005 Oscars earlier this year.
Mater & the Ghostlight (7:06) - A brand new animated short featuring Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and the rest of the voice cast of Cars. If you liked the movie you are going to like this as Mater does his best to play pranks on all the members of the town who all decide it is time to try and get him back by telling him the scary story of the Ghostlight.
Sneak Peeks - A look at the upcoming animated flicks Ratatouille and Meet the Robinsons, the Peter Pan Platinum Edition DVD, the Cars video game and Disney's Blu-ray titles.
Overall, this is a perfectly fine DVD, but for Disney and Pixar purists you won't be satisfied. There is no audio commentary, no blooper reel which is usually available, no immersive making of feature and no additional storyboards. While I don't personally care about these little extras when it comes to animated films I know there are several of you out there that won't be entirely happy until you have them all. For the rest of you this is a great title and I recommend you give it a look.