Saw "Cars." Loved it. Some really inspired humorous moments.

But is it me or is Pixar's outstanding animation quality just becoming the norm and no longer as eye-popping as it was when we first watched "Toy Story?"

And is it just me or do you catching yourself putting eyes and mouth on every car you see on the road?

Jim

Just got back from taking the kids to see this, Jim. Great movie, most definitely! I've been doing that whole putting a face on a car thing for a while, ever since those old gas station commercials (Conoco?) that have aired for a while now.

Saw it yesterday, loved it. Definitely a film made by fans of the car culture we have here in the U.S..

Pixar's animation quality does improve with every new film, but it's in very subtle ways; I'm still amazed at times when I see some little detail that some artist must have worked on for untold hours. I think, however, their character design is very similar on every film, so that may be why you feel that way. The quality of their animation really shows when you compare their work to that of something created by Brand X. Before Cars we saw a trailer for something called Monster House, and the quality of the animation was barely as good as the work Pixar was doing 10-20 years ago.

Just got back from taking the kids to see this, Jim. Great movie, most definitely! I've been doing that whole putting a face on a car thing for a while, ever since those old gas station commercials (Conoco?) that have aired for a while now.



I think they were Chevron commercials, you can still buy toys of those cars there. Interestingly, IIRC those commercials were done by Aardman, who did Were-Rabbit, which was released by Dreamworks.

Saw it Friday night and loved it. I'll have to see it again soon -- and the DVD is a must, if only to get a good look at the stickers and advertisements in the car-centric world of the film.

And just in case there's anyone who hasn't learned this lesson yet -- stay for the credits! :thumbsup:

I went in prepared to tolerate the presence of Larry the Cable Guy, but I even liked his character. It helped that his signature catchphrase only makes it in once.

As far as the quality of the animation goes, I've always gotten a kick out of the other animation studios (such as Dreamworks) having a tendency to blow their own horns with every release, and yet each time Disney/Pixar (they're one and the same now, although not while this movie was being made) rolls out their newest release, it blows away the rest of the pack. Yet Pixar doesn't beat its chest over the quality of the animation. They don't have to do that because the quality speaks for itself. Even if it didn't, the reviews tend to bring it up anyway.

Qapla'

SSB

Pixar doesn't have to pimp their animation quality because they've got something other films dont - a story.

A lot of times that you hear more about the production of the film than the acting and writing, it's because the story is flimsy and the studio knows it, so they try to draw your attention elsewhere.

Pixar doesn't have to pimp their animation quality because they've got something other films dont - a story.


Exactly. As the father of a 7 year-old, I've suffered through lots of beautifully animated CGI movies over the years but a story is what they lacked. I've never been disappointed by a Pixar film.

I know most of us here aren't usually into the subject matter, but I'd build a Lightning McQueen kit if they offered one -- and on that note, how difficult would it be to modify an existing kit into Sally Carrera? How about Doc Hudson?

Anyone else catch the Hidden Mickey in the film? ;)

Qapla'

SSB

I think they were Chevron commercials, you can still buy toys of those cars there. Interestingly, IIRC those commercials were done by Aardman, who did Were-Rabbit, which was released by Dreamworks.

There is a new one out now that I saw on IFC this weekend. It showed people at a drive-in getting out of their cars and heading for the concession stand to the tune of "Let's all go to the lobby...." Then all the cars start up and drive out of the parking area, and then we cut to a Chevron station where the cars are singing, "Let's all go to the Chevron". Really nice commercial.

And you were right, the animation was done by Aardman. The sound was done by Skywalker Sound. I noticed a lot of the toys lying around ILM when I took a tour back in the early nineties.

I know most of us here aren't usually into the subject matter, but I'd build a Lightning McQueen kit if they offered one -- and on that note, how difficult would it be to modify an existing kit into Sally Carrera? How about Doc Hudson?I'd probably collect the whole series if someone produced a line of Cars model kits. Modifying existing kits probably wouldn't be too difficult except for the fact that Pixar slightly altered the basic shapes of the automobiles in Cars to make the characters a touch more cartoonish (or caricatured, if you prefer) than their real-life counterparts.

Anyone else catch the Hidden Mickey in the film? ;)I missed the Hidden Mickey. I was too busy being awestruck by all of the other "subliminal" visual effects (like the rock formations shaped like 50's Cadillac fins) and looking for a "Herbie, the Love Bug" joke (which never materialized) somewhere in the film.

Pixar doesn't have to pimp their animation quality because they've got something other films don't - a story.Exactly. As the father of a 7 year-old, I've suffered through lots of beautifully animated CGI movies over the years but a story is what they lacked. I've never been disappointed by a Pixar film.The other thing missing from almost all other animated films these days is content for adults. Almost all of the other CGI animated films I've seen in the last several years are written strictly for kids; the subject matter, jokes, pop-culture references, etc., are targeted for people under the age of 12. Films made by Pixar and Brad Bird (Iron Giant, The Incredibles), on the other hand, are made so that people can enjoy them regardless of age. And, quite honestly, I believe that's why these films will be remembered long after the others are forgotten. Kids know when they're being "talked down" to. Even when I was a kid I knew there was a difference between the old Warner Bros. cartoons and the "Saturday Morning" crap we had to suffer through.

Pixar slightly altered the basic shapes of the automobiles in Cars to make the characters a touch more cartoonish (or caricatured, if you prefer) than their real-life counterparts.Figured as much. The mouths would be the trickiest part, I'll bet. Is there even a kit on the market for the Hudson Hornet?

I suspect that Tow Mater would have been played by Jim Varney had he lived long enough -- although now that I've seen the movie, I've nothing against Larry the Cable Guy in the part.

Qapla'

SSB

The mouths would be the trickiest part, I'll bet.Not as much as you'd think. Most of the "lead" cars simply have a cartoon mouth, the rest use parts of the real car--lower grill for the upper lip, bumper for the lower lip, etc. On the hippie/beatnik VW microbus voiced by George Carlin, the front license plate acts as a goatee.

I went in prepared to tolerate the presence of Larry the Cable Guy, but I even liked his character. It helped that his signature catchphrase only makes it in once.And I appreciated the fact that is was so underplayed, almost a "throw-away" comment.

I suspect that Tow Mater would have been played by Jim Varney had he lived long enough -- although now that I've seen the movie, I've nothing against Larry the Cable Guy in the part.You could be right, but I think it would depend upon who's more "popular" at the moment (i.e., which name is more bankable at the box office). Larry the Cable Guy is currently a rising star; who knows where Jim Varney's career would be if he was alive today.

"Tow Mater." That's funny right there, I don't care who y'are. :p

I think it would depend upon who's more "popular" at the moment (i.e., which name is more bankable at the box office). Larry the Cable Guy is currently a rising star; who knows where Jim Varney's career would be if he was alive today.True -- the only kink is that the voice performances were probably settled upon and recorded at least three years ago. I say they might have used Varney because they've used him before (as Slinky Dog in the Toy Story films) and they have a penchant for re-upping actors for supporting roles -- certainly in the case of John Ratzenberger, as the credits so hilariously demonstrate.

Qapla'

SSB

I know most of us here aren't usually into the subject matter, but I'd build a Lightning McQueen kit if they offered one -- and on that note, how difficult would it be to modify an existing kit into Sally Carrera? How about Doc Hudson?

Not much of a challenge but Mattel does have 1/24th diecasts of Lightning McQueen and Mater.

I keep thinking the other way. What if this car was featured in "Cars?" You can start putting eyes and mouth on almost anything. Say, there's a challenge for that extra refit.

Anyone else catch the Hidden Mickey in the film? ;)

OK, where was it?

Jim

Almost forgot. There's a slot car set with Lightning, The King and Chick and, if you haven't seen them, the 1/64th die-casts are pretty nice.

If all else fails, McDonalds will be giving them away with Happy Meals.

Jim

OK, where was it?The Hidden Mickey is in one of the establishing shots of Radiator Springs -- it's formed partly by the sign for "Flo's V8 Café." It's in a moving camera shot, so it's only visible for a second or so.

At least, that's the one I saw. There could have been others, but I missed them if so.

Qapla'

SSB

Not much of a challenge but Mattel does have 1/24th diecasts of Lightning McQueen and Mater.Might be cool to repaint McQueen with the glittery red paint job he acquires in Radiator Springs -- and there's the lowrider voiced by Cheech Marin, which has at least three or four paint jobs through the course of the movie.

Is McQueen based on any particular car, or was it an entirely new creation for the film? I didn't recognize it, but then as a NASCAR racer, he would only superficially resemble a production model.

Qapla'

SSB

Is McQueen based on any particular car, or was it an entirely new creation for the film? I didn't recognize it, but then as a NASCAR racer, he would only superficially resemble a production model.

McQueen was a completely new design from Pixar because they didn't want to take away from the character by making him a specific model. Plus licensing would have been a real pain (this according to John Lasseter)

Did anyone notice Richard Petty playing his own car. I love it when they do that kind of stuff.

Is it possible for animation to be too good? I found myself staring slackjawed at the screen, amazed at the art direction, lighting, coloring, reflections, shaders for dust, details like pieces of track lifting when the cars go by, animated crowds , etc., etc. The cars looked disarmingly simple, which belies the difficulty the animators had conveying emotion with limited means - after all, no arms or hands, noses or eyebrows, etc.

During the middle of the story when it slows down I noticed there were a number of restless kids around us. At those times I found myself just sitting back and marvelling at the show. I need tyo go see this again.

Oh yea, not a big fan of Larry the cable guy, but IMHO his character is the most endearing in the film. I found myself sometimes watching Mater exclusively, for the beautiful little nuances they gave him.

This is a way cool movie.

In addition to that, the toys are way cool too. I have to expand on Arronax's comments on the 1/64 scale cars from the movie. Those are exceptionally nicely painted, solidly constructed and really quite cheap. Plus, the other toys are really nice too. There is a 14 inch Lightning McQueen (I assume the name "McQueen" is a nod to Steve McQueen) that can be programmed to execute maneuvers and the mouth/grille actually moves as it speaks.

Even the little McDonalds Lightning McQueen that comes in their happy meal this week (my kid begged for one) will execute a nice wheelie!

Now those are just cool.

Huzz

Anybody seen the new trailer on TV where the reviews for the film are CGI'd into the backgrounds and car reflections? It's a pretty cool effect!

There is a 14 inch Lightning McQueen (I assume the name "McQueen" is a nod to Steve McQueen)

Huzz

Actually Huzz, the name Lightning McQueen comes from one of the animators on the movie.

Actually Huzz, the name Lightning McQueen comes from one of the animators on the movie. It would have been in bad taste in my opinion to have named the car after Steve McQueen since he was killed in a car accident.

Steve McQueen died of mesothelioma, which isn't a brand of car, but is in fact a form of lung cancer.

It's kind of stuck in my head since I heard that great song Steve McQueen by The Driveby Truckers in The Tao of Steve.

Yup - that's right:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000537/bio

Huzz

And Martin - on the origin of the name Lightning McQueen, it looks like we were both right. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_(film) notes that:

The name of the main character, Lightning McQueen, is a tribute to Glenn McQueen (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glenn_McQueen&action=edit), a Pixar animator who died in 2002. The name is also reminiscent of actor Steve McQueen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen) who starred in several car movies.

Huzz

It's kind of stuck in my head since I heard that great song Steve McQueen by The Driveby Truckers in The Tao of Steve.

Great band, them Driveby Truckers. "Southern Rock Opera" spins regularly on my CD player. Always liked McQueen too.

Great band, them Driveby Truckers. "Southern Rock Opera" spins regularly on my CD player. Always liked McQueen too.

Great song, I was going to quote the lyrics but realized real quick there's no way to without risking the ire of the mods. Suffice to say I'm pretty sure it's not one of Alec Baldwin, Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway, or Ali McGraw's favorite songs. And not many lyricist can rhyme "mesothelioma".

Is it possible for animation to be too good? I found myself staring slackjawed at the screen, amazed at the art direction, lighting, coloring, reflections, shaders for dust, details like pieces of track lifting when the cars go by, animated crowds , etc., etc. The cars looked disarmingly simple, which belies the difficulty the animators had conveying emotion with limited means - after all, no arms or hands, noses or eyebrows, etc.

During the middle of the story when it slows down I noticed there were a number of restless kids around us. At those times I found myself just sitting back and marvelling at the show. I need tyo go see this again.

Oh yea, not a big fan of Larry the cable guy, but IMHO his character is the most endearing in the film. I found myself sometimes watching Mater exclusively, for the beautiful little nuances they gave him.

As an exercise in computer animation it was interesting. I found myself getting restless with the rest of the kids.

Incredibles, this isn't.

I'll have to be the voice of dissent here, I'm afraid and annoubce that my honeymoon with Pixar is over. Of cource the film looked beautiful. Of cource there were one or two notable characters. But that is no longer enough to compensate for their increasingly lousy story telling (Incredibles not withstanding, Brad Bird is a genius)

My initial reaction after seeing the film was "If they wanted to tell Doc Hollwood with cars, why didn't they just get MJF to do the voicework"

secondly, given that they were giving us the "route 66 history lesson and the virtues of the past thing" why do you suppose that they would introduce a character named "Sally" and not have her be a Mustang? do you think that maybe Ford wouldn't clear it?

A Porche? OK I get the whole "merchant of Venice" joke about the ex-lawyer named "porche" but a better joke would have been to name her "Alexis" and make here a Lexus. Then they could have done a whole "who's on first" routine.

and if this whole universe exists with cars and no people or animals then why to the cars have steering wheels and interiors and why are there farms to begin with?


I guess I'm saying that while Pixar consistantly raises the bar in how their films look, I really think they need to get back to some telling a good story with their good looking characters

I found the idea of a society of empty mechanical beings unsettling. Couldn't empathize.

The love interest between the nascar and porsche left me cold, even after exposing her pinstriping.

I kept thinking it might have made a charming live action movie. But you're right: they did it in Doc Hollywood.

and if this whole universe exists with cars and no people or animals then why to the cars have steering wheels and interiors and why are there farms to begin with?This reminds me of a review I read of Monsters Inc., wherein the reviewer wanted the movie to explain exactly how there came to be this parallel universe with monsters, and why it was so similar to our own. I think it's just missing the point -- they did it because they thought it was funny (and I think most moviegoers agree). Sure, there are questions you can ask -- why are the equivalent of blue-bottle flies tiny VW beetles, but helicopters are simply anthropomorphic helicopters? Why are there more or less normal-looking jet planes and biplanes, yet we see contrails at one point that look like tire tracks? I thought of these questions, and yet I don't really need to know the answers to enjoy the film. I didn't feel that any non-human society must be explained in detail to make a story work. Heck, part of the fun, to me, is extrapolating from what we see and trying to imagine what the rest of that world is like.

Why tell an animated movie with anything other than human characters? Well, why not?

Qapla'

SSB

This reminds me of a review I read of Monsters Inc., wherein the reviewer wanted the movie to explain exactly how there came to be this parallel universe with monsters, and why it was so similar to our own. I think it's just missing the point -- they did it because they thought it was funny (and I think most moviegoers agree). Sure, there are questions you can ask -- why are the equivalent of blue-bottle flies tiny VW beetles, but helicopters are simply anthropomorphic helicopters? Why are there more or less normal-looking jet planes and biplanes, yet we see contrails at one point that look like tire tracks? I thought of these questions, and yet I don't really need to know the answers to enjoy the film. I didn't feel that any non-human society must be explained in detail to make a story work. Heck, part of the fun, to me, is extrapolating from what we see and trying to imagine what the rest of that world is like.

Why tell an animated movie with anything other than human characters? Well, why not?

What's next? Talking mice?

Jim

baxter,
that's cool and all, and you're right. It's a work of fiction and whos to say where the limits are. I get that. it's just, for me, I found the earlier Pixar films to have a charm that this one didn't. Toy Story was the "secret life of toys" Finding Nemo and Bugs Lfe were about "what bugs and fish really think about " and even Monsters Inc was about "what really are the things that go bump in the night". I guess that in totally separating Cars from the world of man, the movie goer is confronted with issues of "well if that's true, then why?..." moreso than the other films where you can take those things for granted.

and if this whole universe exists with cars and no people or animals then why to the cars have steering wheels and interiors and why are there farms to begin with?

I don't remember seeing any steering wheels or interiors. In fact, looking at stills from the movie, most of the cars don't even appear to have doors.

well, for one, the "tractors" had steering wheels and seats and the jeep did too.

I would imagine they figured that a Jeep with seats and a steering wheel would look less strange than one without.

Qapla'

SSB

Ya know, for a group of modelers who build models of stuff from science fiction and fantasy, I really think that some of us are over-thinking the logic, accuracy and realism of a cartoon!

Jeez, it's a cartoon. Get over it, get a life, go with the flow, have fun, relax.

That's all folks (?)

Jim

here's one. Goofy is a dog. Pluto is a dog. Goofy wears clothes and talks,
Pluto has a leash and is "owed" by a mouse.

Donald duck wears no pants, but when he gets out of the shower, he wraps a Towel around his waist.

see what years of glue fumes does to ya? :freak:

Actually, the working title of Cars was "Terminator 4: The Machines Become Mundane" It shows what happens when the now-sentient machines take on the characteristics of their creators, much like the "Day of the Dead" scenario.

Yea, that's the ticket! "Cars" is "Terminator" meets "Day of the Dead"! I wonder why they don't take that approach in the advertising...

^^^^OoooOOOooh,
Chris , I like that. It put's a whole new sinister spin on the character of

Tow-Mater. He's not hauling you off to the garage to be fixed...

He's COMING TO GET YOU , BARBARA!!!!

Like what the world would be if Killdozer had won? :dude:

Huzz

Yeah, Cyberdyne wins and then we find out that, hey, it isn't so bad -- except for humanity being wiped out and all.

Didn't realize it would go so far as to terraform Monument Valley.

Qapla'

SSB

Despite my silly comment, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and look forward to picking it up on DVD when its released.

Huzz

I took my girlfriend -- she was initially only mildly interested -- and she told me she was definitely going to get the DVD even as the credits were running. Her two boys, age 13 and seven, both seemed to like it as well. I didn't see the younger boy's interest wane too much during the movie's slower-paced portions.

Qapla'

SSB

Saw it on Fathers' Day with my kids (girl-12 & boy-15), we all enjoyed it and I plan on getting it on DVD.

As an aside, my son says he spotted a hidden Mickey in the mist of the waterfall. Anyone else see it. I saw the one in the shot of Radiators Springs that I had read about here.

How many you guys that loved "Cars" ever name your car?

My cars were always "Chevy", "Honda", or "pos Ford". Maybe that's why I couldn't empathize with the "characters" in Cars.

Saw it today. Fun, but probably my least favorite Pixar effort so far.

For me, Pixar is just getting better & better. When I first saw the ad for Cars, I was doubtful. But then I thought Pixar hasn't let me down before, so I'll go in with an open mind. The wife & I took our daughter, 5, & my neice & nephew, 9 & 14. All of us loved it! IMO, quite mind blowing in the scenery (I had to do double takes on the opening race & the scenery that included trees on Sally & Lightening's "drive") & I'm just very stunned!

I missed the... "Herbie, the Love Bug" joke (which never materialized) somewhere in the film.
I think that it was the blue VW bug "flies" that were at the "Wagon Wheel" on Sally & Lightening's "drive".

Did anyone notice Richard Petty playing his own car. I love it when they do that kind of stuff.
I did! That was great having him play his own car in his color & number! There were also a couple other cameos, including one from Dale Jr. as his car. Personally, I'm looking to get a Plymouth Superbird to modify into The King! It'll be a bit of a challenge, (most notably getting good orthos!) but it'll be a lot of fun! :thumbsup:

I did! That was great having him play his own car in his color & number! There were also a couple other cameos, including one from Dale Jr. as his car. Personally, I'm looking to get a Plymouth Superbird to modify into The King! It'll be a bit of a challenge, (most notably getting good orthos!) but it'll be a lot of fun! :thumbsup:

I also liked that Lynda got to play Mrs. "The King." I enjoyed all of the fun little references they throw in there - I'm sure there's a ton I missed, and I'll definitely be picking up the DVD when it comes out.

I also liked that Lynda got to play Mrs. "The King." I enjoyed all of the fun little references they throw in there - I'm sure there's a ton I missed, and I'll definitely be picking up the DVD when it comes out.
I thought that might have been her. :roll: Must have been fun for both of them.

I'll also be in line for the DVD! :D