This movie features morals that are not surprising for Pixar, and yet still shocking that movie producers can come up with story lines that are good without violence, language and other inappropriate gestures. (However, “Hillbilly Hell” is used twice.)
The opening sequence of this family film introduces the arrogant Lightning McQueen as he is pumping himself up for his upcoming race. He is a self-absorbed, independent jockey race car on the go to win the prized ‘Piston’ cup and will stop at nothing to get it.
After a three-way tie, the race is scheduled for a rematch in California. After he grudgingly shows up for his sponsors’ support – which are a bunch of rusty cars that worship the fool-headed star- McQueen leaves for California in his personal trailer. He is determined to get there in time to buddy up to the ‘big guys’ of show business, thus insisting that the tractor-trailer drive through the nights to get there.
You know what driving all night does to your eyelids! Yes, the tractor trailer jostles roughly off the interstate. Jolting awake, the truck veers back onto the road, oblivious to the fact that he’s lost McQueen out the back! This ‘short cut’ begins the reformation of the young prideful car, as he finds himself stranded in a forgotten little town on Route 66.
World Magazine’s review points out the weakness of the film by containing no “humans”, though the cars have human traits. And these cars certainly have characters all their own! The humorous lines quietly yield lessons rejected by our present generation, such as: a willingness to learn from our elders, taking responsibility for our actions, learning humility, and that putting aside oneself and thinking of others is the true reward, not an empty cup, in Lightning McQueen’s case.
Pixar’s Cars is clean, fun, and full of lessons that we can take home.
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