The seventh pixar movie was created in 2006. Directed by both John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. This was the final film by Pixar before it was bought by Disney.
The movie is set in a world of talking cars, my favourite voice provided by Owen Wilson. Voices also provided by Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable guy, Michael Schumacher, Jay Leno and a cameo voice by none other than Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame. It’s also the 2nd Pixar movie with an entirely non-human cast. The other being A Bugs Life.
Our main character, Lightening McQueen, is heading to compete in a race to win the Piston cup. Lightening wants to get rid of his Rust-eze sponsorship and be the champion, with the status and sponsorship that comes with it. He’s already got delusions of grandeur. On the way to the final race, lightening gets left behind and in a panic to find his trailer finds himself in a run-down town called Radiator Springs…….
After a mishap with the sheriff that causes McQueen to inadvertently rip up the town’s main road. He is arrested, tried by the town judge/Dr and after consultation with the local lawyer Sally, community service is issued, before McQueen can leave to get to LA and compete in the Piston Cup final.
Radiator Springs was once a popular stop off along the U.S. route 66 but with the construction of nearby interstate 40 the town has been bypassed and fallen into dissarray. Whilst fulfilling community service McQueen makes friends and discovers that the Doc is also the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a 3 times piston cup winner who hasn’t raced for 50 years, but hasn’t forgotten the tricks of the trade; some, that despite his bitterness at the racing community, he eventually shares with McQueen. When McQueen completes his community service, he gets himself sorted then heads to California, the residents of Radiator Springs going back to their quiet undisturbed selves……
As the tie breaker race begins, McQueen can’t help but think of his friends and is surprised and overjoyed when they come to support him. In the final race, McQueen learns a valuable lesson whilst remembering what the Doc talked about regarding racing. He sacrifices a win and the glory that would come with it, to help another race-car. Despite not winning the Piston Cup, McQueen wins a whole lot more, unselfishness, friendship, comradeship and a sense of belonging.
A movie of an old ‘dog’ teaching a young ‘pup’ new tricks :D.
My favourite characters are:
Mater the tow truck
Filmore a 1960 VW bus 🙂
Fave quotes:
FILMORE. [looking at the stoplight blinking yellow] I’m telling you man, every third blink is slower
SARGE The 60’s weren’t good to you, were they?
LIGHTENING MCQUEEN I’m a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics.
MATER You hurt your what??
Another Pixar winner :D.
Soapgirl
