Captain Conroy's Pixar 40th Anniversary Marathon (Week 6)

Written by Captain Conroy

Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4 and Week 5 here.

So, at the time of writing, Pixar has now officially turned 40. Going back in time 20 years ago, the year is 2006 which was when Pixar celebrated 20 years. The movie that came out to celebrate such an occasion was Cars and ho-boy was this movie plastered everywhere! Trailers, TV spots, cereal prizes, much promotional material and Christmas of 2006, those toys were an absolute must! However, the main question here is whether or not it was worth the hype. I personally say it was and here’s why:

The story couldn’t be any more perfect for a movie about cars. It’s the story of Lightning McQueen, a racing rookie at the top of his game and the one celebrity everyone is talking about and he’s set out to winning the biggest race of all time, the Piston Cup. However a three way tie throws a spanner in his works and it further goes spiralling out of control for him as his finds and accidently wrecks a town called Radiator Springs and has to repair the damage he’s done. But along the way he takes a lesson in humility and grows attached to the towns-cars and thus forms a new chapter in his life after his big race.

I find the story was very well done and it truly takes pride in its character development. A lot of aspects in the story run deep like how Lightning has little to no friends, Doc Hudson’s personal history and the backstory of Radiator Springs really hits hard and could easily be what TV Tropes would call a tearjerker. Granted some parts can make you ask what were the astronomical odds like how McQueen went missing, but I find everything in this story naturally fits together like a jigsaw. Like I’ve praised with other movies in their library, great measures were taken to assure that nothing could have been resolved in 5 minutes and for a movie about a fast paced sport, I honestly find it well paced too.

Especially Lightning’s character development. For a car living in the fast lane, his development takes a little time and I just love every moment showing how he grows throughout and develops from his arrogant hotshot self to being more respectful and valuing his life’s lessons and not just growing to love the cars of Radiator Springs, but they in turn equally grow to love him. Because of how well done it is, it’s sometimes kind of funny seeing how McQueen and Doc Hudson didn’t particularly like each other to becoming a student respecting his teacher. This story is so well done and I think it could certainly do with more appreciation.

Out of the movies prior to say the late 2000’s, Cars is definitely one of them that’s aged the most gracefully in terms in its animation. I mean yeah, there’s still a noticeable difference between this one and the later two films to follow, but still the animation of this movie is nothing to sneeze at. It was certainly just as well the movies before this animated speed so well because it especially pays off in this movie given racing is a high-speed sport and McQueen is one for certainly going fast. The animation certainly helps the movie take shape and taking full advantage of its setting in how it’s a world much like our own but everybody’s a car.

The race tracks looks fantastic and certainly an exciting place to be, Radiator Springs has certainly seen better days but it looks a nice place to call home and it sees those better days by the end of the movie and ho-boy the scenery in the movie is such eye candy. I especially love how some of the clouds in the sky look like tyre marks and the cliffs that resemble cars in themselves are so brilliant. The movie has a good use of effects too like camera flashes and lighting. All of which certainly come together so beautifully to give us yet another movie that’s pretty to look at. The animation, even in the early days of the company is something that can just never be faulted and I’m happy to say it’s the same here. Everywhere in the movie looks great and the speed creates a lot of excitement.

The characters are another strong point for me. Like I say, Lightning McQueen is the arrogant hotshot rookie who has big aspirations in life and as much as he’s already a big superstar, he’s the one who wants more with Dinoco, to become the face of them and really make it to the top. This changes once he enters Radiator Springs and like I say, his development was done well from wanting to leave the place to wanting to stay in the end. The townsfolk of Radiator Springs are certainly a very varied range with their own looks and quirks which gives you no trouble identifying who’s who – like Luigi and Guido being Italian, Sarge being a military vehicle, Filmore being a surfer dude etc.

The King is the big racing champion who doesn’t let his fame get to his head and is perfectly willing to pass his advice down to other racers and Chick Hicks is the big cheater as he wants it all like Lightning does, but unlike Lighting, even before his character development, he isn’t willing to play fair for it. But out of all of the wide range of varied characters from the hilarious Mater to the level-headed and punctual Sally – one character stands out the most and that’s Doc Hudson. Doc Hudson is seemingly against race cars and is keen to get rid of Lighting until Sally changes his mind, but once McQueen discovers his trophies, everything from there changes.

It’s foreshadowed at the most as he seemed to know what he was talking about giving McQueen the advice about opposite locks, but once we know along with McQueen, the perspective on this character changes. His backstory cuts deep and his reasoning for keeping his celebrity status a secret is certainly understandable, then once he becomes McQueen’s crew chief, his character arc is complete and it’s so well done. All with the late great Paul Newman giving us a masterful performance along the way which brings such a wonderfully complex and multi-layered character to life. Doc Hudson has to be one of if not the very best character any Pixar movie ever gave us.

Cars is certainly a movie that holds up very well for me. The story is well done, the animation stands the test of time and the cast of characters are certainly one of their strongest. All these factors make for a strong first impression for what’s the first in a franchise powerhouse. There was even a point in time when this was my favourite Pixar movie – that has since been replaced by the Inside Out movies. Not because it’s bad – not at all. Cars is still very good, it just says how good the Inside Out movies are and I will definitely get to them in good time. But for now, I can always highly recommend Cars.

I naturally have to open this review up with one of the biggest hot takes ever. I never hated this movie, I actually quite liked it.

Yes, I know, shocking isn’t it? Cars 2 is always regarded as a stain on Pixar’s lasting legacy, but I never thought so. But why is this you may ask? Well, let’s look together and I can even see if my mind will change on anything. Is it really the dark mark on Pixar’s résumé? Let’s see.

For the story, we have a first world Grand Prix set up by Sir Miles Axelrod in order to promote his new alternative fuel Allinol and McQueen enters after the opportunity opens itself up when Mater called in on the talk show Sir Axelrod happened to be on. So now with three races set up in Japan, Italy and the U.K, McQueen has to be quicker than quick to beat the hot shot rival Francesco Bernoulli and prove he ain’t so fast compared to him. Seems simple enough right? Well – as if it was that simple! Simultaneously there’s a conspiracy taking place, orchestrated by lemon cars to make alternative fuel look bad, to which it’s down to British superspy Finn McMissile and his assistant Holley Shiftwell to unravel the clues and find out who’s behind it.

So with two simultaneous plots going on, two completely different plots, how on Earth does this story come together? Well, it’s the ultimate mix up story as an American superspy who had vital intel passes it onto Mater unbeknownst to him and the British spies think he’s the American spy, so now Mater is on hand to help out in his own Mater way and is on the journey of a lifetime as he delves into the world of espionage. There are definitely times I will have to say that this story hinges on a few coincidences, but it still nevertheless fits together nicely and god bless it for it. But if there’s one thing I love most about the story is that we get to see a little more of the Cars world outside of racing. Let alone whoever would have thought that making sentient cars spies could work so well? Yep, they managed it.

Of course though no story is perfect and faults do have to be addressed, first – it was fine enough for McQueen being so mad at Mater that talking to Holley cost him the victory in the first race – McQueen listened to him saying outside and was clearly puzzled about it but he did it anyway – thus it did make that conflict seem a little bit forced. Second – I won’t spoil anything should you choose to check this out for yourself – but it is a little obvious who the real big bad is. Even if it is obvious however – I still wish to give you guys respect by letting you figure it out for yourselves. Third – one scene where Finn is moving in to intercept the villain’s operation and well, this is where things get a little forced.

Finn gets captured here. But from left to right are screenshots in chronological order and you mean to tell me he doesn’t even see or hear the helicopter hovering above? Let alone us the audience can see the magnetic waves in the second screenshot and it’s like what? THAT is pretty dumb and worth critiquing. The rest of the story however is perfectly fine and I still don’t see even now why people made such a fuss about it. Plus it’s worth mentioning that there are times this movie gets dark by showing actual murder of cars – in a kid’s movie! Ballsy Pixar, ballsy!

The animation to the casual eye may not look a whole lot different compared to the first movie, but trust me, especially if you’re a diehard animation enthusiast, you’ll definitely notice a considerable upgrade in quality. The first movie again had great animation which still holds up so well, but as per always, the Pixar standard and upgrades in technology, it always seems like they’re in a competition with themselves to improve the animation and top themselves. This especially shows whenever we’re at a scene which is in another of the countries. The animation ensures to truly give you an authentic feel for each of the countries we visit.

The high-tech side of Japan with its bright colours and lights at night, the beautiful and sunny side of Italy with its usage of bright sunlight and the exotic trees and the opulent look of the building where the meeting takes place truly showing how it’s a playground for the rich and as a Brit myself, I can accurately vouch for it that this movie gives you an accurate representation of London with a good usage of light grey skies and the way they make the architecture look. The animation by itself is a golden example as to how research is key given they actually went to these locations to capture them as authentically as possible and they certainly did the best job they could. And on top of all of this, the visuals give a great representation and has a great usage of lighting to show when a scene gets dark and serious. A job most well done.

Oh boy the characters is an interesting point of discussion – especially the new characters. You get how lemon cars are villainised in this movie and their motive makes sense. But even through a minor character we see how thankfully not all of them are bad. We get a wide variety too from the fabulously suave and cool Finn McMissile – naturally nothing less is to be expected from the great Michael Caine who provided his voice, to the arrogant yet charismatic Francesco Bernoulli. I feel in particular throughout the whole franchise he’s the best rival McQueen had. Yes, he’s a douche – however the hammy performance delivered by John Turturro helps sell this character and unlike Chick Hicks – he genuinely shows signs of concern.

Let’s be real folks, if this was Chick Hicks – he wouldn’t have cared. But Francesco clearly cares. That is not the look of someone who doesn’t care. Back to the characters naturally all of our favourites return with Mater being in the spotlight as this movie is mostly about him and a lot of it hinges on his friendship with McQueen. McQueen himself even – he’s since won four piston cups and clearly values the cars around him as he was going to take some time to rest until he signed up. His scepticism to bring Mater along until Sally convinces him and the argument could maybe be seen as character regression by some – but for me it’s part of his arc as he clearly feels bad after Mater leaves and wants every chance he can to make it up to him. Mater’s arc on the other hand as well as his friendship with McQueen is he becomes aware what other cars think of him and he likes to help people. This movie even shows how Mater can be smarter than he leads on – which is extremely effective for a character that’s the comic relief.

Cars 2, while it does have it’s faults is still a pretty solid sequel to me and once again I never really got what people’s problem with it was. The story could have done with a few tweaks to make it better but those few things don’t spoil my overall viewing experience. The animation and the characters are just fine and they help to make up for what’s wrong with it. I definitely recommend as once again I wish to respect you guys by saying you’re smart enough, do not let the internet make up your mind for you about this movie. I’ve said what I think and now I can recommend that you make up your own mind – not let the internet do it for you. And if you’re a diehard Cars fan, it might be worth seeing at least once.

So, after a pretty explosive sequel (pun intended) what on Earth could the Cars franchise offer to us next eh? McQueen winning some more and climbing further up the chain? Perhaps we get to see what McQueen does when he’s not racing? Or maybe even a plot revolving entirely around him and Mater as…

HOLY CRAP LIGHTNING MCQUEEN DIES!

Nah, I’m funnin’ around with ya guys! As if they would ever actually with a straight face kill off their main character. You will have to wonder though, what the hell happens to cause this infamous moment? Let’s find out shall we?

The story, Lightning McQueen is truly at the top of his game, winning 7 Piston Cups. However this quickly changes once hot shot Jackson Storm enters the equation. From that moment on, the veteran race cars either retire or get replaced by younger, faster and more powerful race cars and after a particularly violent crash, Lightning strives to get back on track as he has once chance to go in and beat Jackson Storm, but he’ll have to rely on new kind of training techniques and the help of Cruz Ramirez. One way to describe the story is that it’s a perfect reflection of real life as even for racing, technology is forever changing and they’re always bringing in faster cars and so forth. It also makes for the perfect story to tell as it really would make you wonder what kind of story you can tell once the big star is at the top of his game and has everything he can want.

When it comes to the three Cars movies, I genuinely feel this one has the best story. It’s perfect for a character like Lightning McQueen to enjoy everything to suddenly having to fight for it. I find there’s no real problems with the execution of the story either. It’s a good mix of light hearted and silly, to serious and mature and some of the scenes in this like McQueen and Cruz racing around Doc Hudson’s old racing ground were so delightfully heartfelt. The movie even has a whole heartfelt theme around McQueen’s relationship with Doc Hudson. It is mentioned in the second movie but in this case it’s one of the driving forces – especially finding Hudson’s mentor, Smokey. If there’s one thing I don’t particularly like however is that this movie pretty much ignores Cars 2. Even if you have a movie that didn’t do particularly that great – it shouldn’t just be ignored. Especially as the Piston Cup was named after Doc Hudson in the second film and it’s never brought up again here. Regardless I have no other complaints with the story. It’s definitely what one would call a job well done.

The animation is the best it’s ever looked in any Cars movie. The characters all look great and there’s more of an emphasis on how shiny they look - especially whenever McQueen gets a look. But if there’s one thing I love about the animation most of all is it’s great usage of lightning and dim lights to showcase the mood of a scene whether it’d be a happy scene, a serious scene or a sad scene. Examples I can give are when McQueen is in his trailer flicking through channels and turns it off at Chick Hicks’ talk show and it’s all dark in the trailer. This is a great visual representation McQueen has hit his low point and for the moment he’s all out of plans and he doesn’t know what to do next. And when he calls Mater the way the light of the screen shines on him could represent a light at the end of the tunnel.

But the shining example has to be McQueen’s crash, they truly pulled no punches with that one. For starters, of course it starts to get dark by the time he has his crash, why wouldn’t it? Camera angles play a large part too and the scene really hits hard when he’s pushing himself to his absolute limits, you can tell it’s really not healthy what he’s doing, but then the crash itself, making a good usage of slow motion and a great effect of sparks flying as he hits against the wall, the racetrack and a fast pace after the slow motion. All this plus the look of horror on Sally’s face sums up the audience reaction.

If the term “Holy crap!” had a face am I right?

The crash scene alone shows how at least usually Pixar aren’t afraid to hold back and the animation really helps with that. And now to conclude this part, all I can say to the animation like Rusty and Dusty say to McQueen about winning is stop being epic for crying out loud, I’m running out of things to say without sounding like a broken record! LOL.

You can say whatever you want about the Cars movies – you can’t deny they know how to give us a good character and Cruz Ramirez herself is a shining example of this. She has a deep backstory of idolising Lightning McQueen and wanting to be a racer because of him, but was constantly surrounded by people doubting her and even when she got her chance, she ending up blowing it. Of course we see a pretty confident trainer at first and she even provides some of the comic relief when she and McQueen are training on the beach, but the moment we get this as they fall out after Thunder Hollow really changes how you see this character and thus we do feel good for her once McQueen gives her another chance at racing and when she beats Storm. It’s a perfect example of character arcs intertwining as McQueen himself wants to beat Storm and at least in a technical way he did as he started the race. Although it would have been nice to see McQueen beat Storm on his own – I still really like what we got here. It’s a perfect character arc for the both of them. One wanted to beat Storm, the other had always aspired to be a racer and working together, they both triumph in the end.

And as well as his big character arc, I love the way McQueen was written here and it shows how much he has matured given he even questioned at the start of the movie about his catchphrase of eating losers for breakfast like “Did I use to say that?” That and getting the chance to play mentor by being Cruz’s crew chief, he’s really come full circle and is far from the character he was when he started. Talk about a wrap up in a neat little bow. Plus I do find it pretty sweet how when he’s at his low point, Mater is the first one he calls – it shows how much their bond strengthened since Cars 2. However while Cruz was so great as far as new characters go, I can’t say the same for Jackson Storm. He had an awful lot of build-up but no actual substance. If anything, his only job is to be the cause of the conflict for McQueen. Character-wise, all there is to him is that he’s obsessed with one-upping Lightning and it’s not really explained why. Like did McQueen fail to give him an autograph when he was a kid? Was he someone who always found him overrated and got fed up of seeing him? A little depth would have been nice. I mean for someone who’s always found him a role model, he certainly doesn’t show it. That, plus what a big loser he is slamming Cruz against the wall to try and prevent her from winning the race and after they cross the finish line, he just disappeared and that was it. This is such a shame as he has such a cool character design and it was wasted on a character who was all show and nothing more.

And now – I have to give my personal ratings, my ratings for the Cars movies are as follows:

Cars 3

Cars

Cars 2

This is because Cars 3 as I said early has the best story in my humble opinion and it’s not to say the others are bad. Upon a rewatch I find this whole trilogy better viewing it through a more mature mindset and how clever a lot of the writing actually is. Cars 3 in particular is a shinning example and is definitely the better of the sequels – even if I still don’t find Cars 2 that bad. And now it’s time to invite you once more to share your thoughts, which one of the Cars movies is your favourite? Do you like them all equally even? Do you even have a hot take when it comes to them? By all means, please do share your thoughts below. Naturally I’ve really enjoyed looking back on this trilogy and now it’s time to look back on one I actually haven’t seen for ages: Ratatouille and then after that one I have seen at least more recently than that, WALL.E, so please do feel free to join me as I look back on them. Until next time folks, bye-bye and take care.