Cars (Single-Disc Full Screen Edition) - the best source of books

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Kevin Pepper “JedeyeNite” (Elkmont, AL USA) –

  

  

When Cars first came out on DVD, I was a small disappointed because there weren’t very many extras on it. I didn’t know why Pixar would take one of their most well loved films and give it such a mediocre behavior. Well…..now that I have the Blu-ray version of this film, I reckon I know why. They were saving it all for Cars debut on hi-def. This has to be the best looking picture I have seen yet on a hi-def title. I looks nearly like the entire film is in 3-D!!! I managed to bump part of this movie on a hi-def cable channel and thought I would compare the two pictures. After a small fiddling, I managed to get both screens at the exact same frame, and was blown away at how much clearer the Blu-ray picture is. The Cine-Explore feature on this is the best special feature I’ve seen on a hi-def title. It is nearly sensory overload at the amount of material that continuously pops up across the cover even as the film is playing. This disc will be the one I will pop in to show my friends what Blu-ray is capable of doing. Every Blu-ray owner needs to get this title. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

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SRFireside “ZOOM!” (Houston, TX United States) –

  

When I saw this movie in the theaters I loved watching it enough, but I kept thinking this was the most terrible Pixar film I have seen. Amusing thing is the most terrible Pixar film is still A grade material compared to most other animated features released. And even as Cars didn’t wow me on the huge cover the way The Incredibles or Monsters Inc (or a score of other Pixar films) the film grew on me in a huge way when we got it home. You see my son (two years ancient at the time) loved to watch it. Life the inclusive dad that I am I would watch it with him. I got what Pixar was doing when I first saw Cars, but it didn’t resonate with me until repeated viewings. Now, even as it’s still not my favorite Pixar movie, Cars made a believer out of me in what they were saying in this area this film.

You see Cars isn’t just a cartoon in this area a world where cars are people. It’s a tribute of the description of the automobile, a nod to NASCAR and its roots, and a like letter to Route 66. All of this done in a family-friendly and colorful animated universe. Any car nut with a broad spectrum interest in the automobile will find lots of different cars from different eras getting face time on this movie. NASCAR fans will like the racing sequences and level of detail dedicated to the sport. Those who remember the days before the Interstate system where there was as much fun travelling to your destination as there was life there will feel nostalgic for that time again. The movie hits on multiple levels, which is what makes it surpass than the sum of its parts.

Take that all away and you still have a fun cartoon. You have cars talking and acting like people for God’s sake! The kids will eat that up! Cars are getting into crazy situations that are in their own way a slight play on human issues. There are plenty of small jokes on that vein that both the kids and parents can laugh over. There is even a joke or two with a double meaning the adults may get a kick out of. This is all classic Pixar and does much to fill in the small chairs between tale development.

The tale? Well like I said when I first saw it I got what they were saying, but wasn’t impressed. It’s in effect much like an episode of The Andy Griffith Show I remember considering where a bigwig from the huge city gets stuck in Mayberry, desparate to get out, only to end up loving the town and wanting more. Maybe it was because it was in a way the preachiest of the Pixar films telling us we should slow down our busy lives and go back to simpler times. Not that it’s a terrible message. Just not one that held onto on first viewing. Well after watching it numerous more times with my excited toddler the small details come into play that I either missed or ignored the first time around. The sleepy town that slowly comes to life the more their new visitor gives to it. The gorgeous backdrops of painted deserts and canyons. There is character growth going on.

Cartoons live and die by their voice actors. Even as just in this area every animation company puts out movies that take advantage of celebrity power to gain an audience Pixar is one of the few who has consistently been able to get the best performances from them, and cars is no different. Every celebrity voice is pitch perfect and puts you in the view of the character more than the actor. Larry the Cable Guy as Mater the tow truck easily steals the show, but does it in such a way where you absolutely know it’s Larry doing the voice, but you see Mater as a character in of itself rather than a cartoon Larry. Owen Wilson puts his best sly, but whiner-like demeanor for racing star McQueen that’s his best. Some characters I still have distress recognizing the transformation is so excellent. Tony Shalhoub (surpass known as Monk from the TV series) is absolutely unbelievable as tire shop owner Luigi. Surpass yet Michael Keaton as Chic Hicks barely sounds like Michael. Michael makes what is in effect the villain in the movie a very enjoyable and charismatic cut up. I can go on, but suffice it to say the “acting” is top notch.

Animation wise all I have to say is this is Pixar. They are just in this area the best in the affair and what you see in this movie will impress even today. The race scenes are dynamically shot the same way you would see a huge NASCAR race with gravel, debris, smoke and skid marks looking real. The level of detail is very impressive from the waxed shine on the cars to the minute dust.

This Blu-Ray release is pretty much identical to the previous release, but this time they include the DVD version as well. The differences between the Blu-Ray and DVD versions visually are striking, and that’s admitting the DVD looks splendid. The Blu-Ray technically has two menus, but that’s not a huge deal. One of the menus has three options which are the movie, bonus cartoons and featurettes. Here’s a breakdown (features on the DVD will have an * beside them):

Mater and the Ghost…

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After considering so many children’s movies with animals lately (Hoodwinked, Over the Hedge, Ice Age 2, etc.) Cars was a needed change. It was wonderful sitting down to a movie that offered something a bit different. Don’t get me incorrect, our family likes movies with foolish animals. But after laughing at and with Tow Mater for 2 hours, I was so glad I didn’t see a silly squirrel in the whole movie. Tow Mater was awesome. We all hope to see Tow starring in his own flick! Bring on the sequel!!!

With that said, Cars is a heart warming tale of a race car called Lightning McQueen who is full of himself. Lightning stumbles off the beaten path of life, and onto the backroads of route 66. There, Lightning McQueen finds all the things he was missing in life because of his self-absorption: friends, beauty, and like.

I was very pleasantly suprised with the tale. Yes, Cars had many, many amusing parts (primarily the tractor tipping, and Tow Mater), but the tale itself is what shines like a diamond. Cars is a movie that will have you leaving the theatre changed, looking for like, beauty and cherishing what you have. I can’t give a movie any greater compliment than this. A must see, and must own children’s movie.

Total Score (out of 100) = 90

43 (out of 50). Enjoyment. A rating based on my overall enjoyment of the film.
8 (out of 10). Acting. How excellent was the acting?
10 (out of 10). Immersion. Did the movie suck me into the tale?
9 (out of 10). Intangibles. Special effects. Movie pace. Is the movie forgettable, or something you will talk in this area and remember for weeks? Years?
10 (out of 10). Must see. Is this movie worth considering/renting?
8 (out of 10). Must buy. Is this movie a must buy/buy?

Plus 2 extra bonus points for Tow Mater! Tow is a one one a kind children’s movie character that will not soon be forgotten.

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