I rewatched the first Cars movie recently

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89)
08/22/2015 at 11:04 • Filed to: None

I don’t think it’s as bad as everybody makes it out to be. It’s fun, light-hearded, but you can still tell that Lasseter is a real enthusiast and has a lot of passion for cars.

Paul Newman was an amazing choice for Doc. He really was. Not only does the voice fit the look of the car, but Newman himself being a race car driver, it just does a really great job of adding character.

There were some nice little nods to stuff that you wouldn’t catch if you weren’t a gearhead, or a Jalop. Say for example, the Cozy Cone advertises “100% refrigerated air.” Who owns the Cozy Cone? A Porsche 911. So, of course it makes sense that the motel would be air-cooled.

The CGI, despite being 9 years old, still holds up quite well. The scenery is fantastic, as is the musical score.

One qualm I have, is McQueen’s agent, Harv. He’s played by Jermey Piven, except for the UK version, where Clarkson does the voice. He should have been the voice for the American version as well. The fact that they’re both named Jeremy doesn’t make up for this.

This is honestly one of my favorite Pixar films. It does most things right, and is really, honestly a good plot, with a lot of real-world grounding.

The second one, I will admit, isn’t nearly as good. It raised the stakes too much. It was a lot darker, and it didn’t have the charm of the original. It didn’t have as much of the humor, and it just felt, well, it didn’t give you that same fuzzy feeling the original had. They flanderized Mater a bit too much, I think. Yeah, he was always kind of dim, and didn’t really think too much, but in the second one, they just exaggerated that to the point of detracting from the character.

And not only that, cars are brutually “murdered” in the second one. It’s just a bit dark and morbid. I know that a lot of it was for merchandising, but the overall experience just didn’t leave too great a taste in my mouth the way the first one did.

But as far as the first one goes, I stand by my opinion that it’s a well done movie, with a lot of heart, and a lot of character. I’ll watch it any chance I get.

DISCUSSION (33)

Desu-San-Desu > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:24

Now watch it again, then immediately watch ‘Surf’s Up’ and tell me they’re not the exact same movie.

coelacanthist > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!

Plus Tom and Ray.

Urambo Tauro > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:29

So many enthusiast nods throughout the (first) film, and all without alienating casual viewers. Cameos, car references, easter eggs... There’re too many to list: might as well just watch it again.

I got a kick out of hearing the Magliozzi brothers. I used to listen to Car Talk every Saturday, and still catch the re-runs from time to time.

Urambo Tauro > coelacanthist
08/22/2015 at 11:31

Beat me to it.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Urambo Tauro
08/22/2015 at 11:33

Yeah, I forgot to mention the Magliozzis. I’m glad they were included as well. Always made me laugh.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:33

I enjoyed the movie, though I never watched the second one. Now I kind of want to.

Urambo Tauro > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:38

Yeah, I forgot to mention the Magliozzis.

Well, like I said, there’s really too many references to list. By the time you log every single one, you could just enjoy the movie all over again.

lone_liberal > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:42

I like the movie and don’t get the hate either. I’m not the biggest Larry the Cable Guy fan but even he was fine in it.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/22/2015 at 11:43

Yeah, you do. Just so you can experience it. However... whereas I’ve watched the first one 6 or 7 times easily, if not more, I’ve seen the second one the whole way through once, in theaters.

Though, it does have Michael Caine, and he’s awesome.

lone_liberal > Desu-San-Desu
08/22/2015 at 11:44

It’s also Doc Hollywood to an extent. I think that particular plot has been used many times.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > lone_liberal
08/22/2015 at 11:44

Neither am I. I mean, he can make me laugh, but he’s not my favorite. But, he was a good fit for the character. I couldn’t imagine anybody else as Mater.

Michael Woyahn > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 11:56

I’ve always liked Cars because I saw it when it first came out in theaters when I was 9ish. But now that I think about it, this movie is probably what got me really interested in cars so I like it even more now!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 12:38

I loved the first movie - especially loved the scene where they cruised down that fresh tarmac laid down by Lightning.

RazoE > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 12:39

People talk shit about the first?! It is my all time favorite movie, and I watch it over and over.

Kinja'd!!!

McQueen in my old Supra. I had Wingo in my IS300, and now I have both, plus Turbo the snail in my Mazdaspeed3. I also have a sunshade with the eyes on both my MS3 and xB.

Kinja'd!!!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > RazoE
08/22/2015 at 12:44

Dude. I love that sunshade.

*goes looking for Cars face sunshades to buy*

But yes, people do trash the first one, which is a shame. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite movie period, but I think it’s my favorite animated film.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
08/22/2015 at 12:50

This scene is my favorite right here.

It kind of speaks to me on a more personal level as well. Decades ago, my city in Maryland used to be the second most populated in the state. Now it’s one of the least, and there used to be a whole lot more charm to it, kind of like what happened to Radiator Springs. It happened for different reasons, but I can still relate.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Urambo Tauro
08/22/2015 at 13:03

did a car in the background yell “freebird”?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 13:05

I love how in that see Mater is all shiny and new. Nice touch.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 13:07

Whoever talks shit about Cars can GTFAC.

Went to Disneyland/California Adventures a couple months ago and Cars-land was one of the most popular areas there, easily. I thought they were going to ruin it, but being there made you feel as close as you possibly could to actually being in the movie, without being cheesy and overdone.

The movie, the world it depicted, and the characters therein do an amazing job of telling a narrative about the real world that is both accurate and hits close to home for a lot of people. It does so in a fun way while still managing to kick you square in the feels.

Dunnik > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 13:24

The first one is pretty good, the 2nd one, meh.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/22/2015 at 13:27

I’d love to go to Cars-Land in Disneyland, but sadly, I’m on the wrong side of the country. :(

And you explain it really well. That’s what I love about the storytelling. Not only is it good for kids (I was having my 3-year old daughter watch it, as I’m trying to get her more into a car lifestyle, but she was tired and fell asleep), but those of us who aren’t as young anymore can still get a different, more poignant enjoyment out of it. Pixar movies generally have amazing storytelling, and that’s especially what I love about this movie.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 13:31

If it makes you feel any better I had to go from the top of the country to the bottom. There’s always Florida (assuming they have a Cars-land).

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/22/2015 at 13:33

Sadly, Florida does not. Even if it did, that’s still 1,000 miles. Better than 3,000 but more than too many for me right now.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 13:57

I have never been able to enjoy Cars. The problem with the movie is not the cars, but the fact that the central character, Lightning, is such an asshole that no amount of change can redeem him. I hate him with a burning passion all the way through the movie.

On the other hand, many of the other characters are cool.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 14:24

Too bad. It was over 1000 miles for us too. Well worth the trip though. It was for my daughter’s 5th birthday.

and 100 more > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/22/2015 at 15:21

Yep!

Urambo Tauro > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
08/22/2015 at 15:44

Valid point.

There are many movies where the “hero” isn’t much of a hero. They’re just the main character. And the only reason they’re the main character is that they get more screen time than anyone else.

As much as there is to love about The Little Mermaid , I have a hard time ignoring that Ariel is a brat who ought to be punched in the mouth or something. I cringe if I hear a little girl say she wants to be “just like Ariel”.

wafflesnfalafel > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/22/2015 at 23:26

agree - Newman as Doc was awesome. Even better? That old Hudson sounds like a real big inline 6. Genius.

boxrocket > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/23/2015 at 00:08

I’d have liked it a lot more without the country music noise.

Owen Wilson wasn’t the best casting choice. He’s ok in other roles, just not that one. Also being written to be so overly arrogant and pretentious was off-putting.

There were no fully likeable-characters.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > wafflesnfalafel
08/23/2015 at 19:41

Absolutely it does. I’ve had the pleasure of actually experiencing one drive by. They done good.

DrScientist > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/24/2015 at 12:38

i watched it for the first time shortly after getting this car... and clearly, she has been referred to as “sally” ever since.

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/24/2015 at 14:27

My son LOVES Cars. I end up watching it at the least every 2 weeks or so.

There’s so many hysterical details in this movie

for example, the rest stop Mac wants to pull into at the beginning? The sign says “ALL CONVERTIBLE WAIT STAFF” Get it? Tops down...

There’s a lot of subtle stuff.

For instance in that same “cross country haul” with Mac at the beginning they’re on the highway that goes dead straight through the country going over curving meandering rivers, it’s a subtle nod to later in the movie when the 911 explains the road used to move with the land.

Also when you’ve seen it nearing 100 times, you pick up on everything eventually.

deekster_caddy > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
08/24/2015 at 15:28

I never really saw “Harv” fit into the film much. He’s weird and should have been left on the editing room floor. The kids don’t understand what he’s talking about at all.