Cars-A Remarkably Sick Film in Need of a Moral Navigation Add-On
This is quite possibly one of the stupidest and most offensive films I have seen in years and its aimed largely a kids. This film is so bad, so horribly bad I do not know where to begin.
I will begin with the positive, the animation is definitely good, but super freakin’ weird as one has to get pass the talking car thing, which in and of itself is no doubt brilliant. Brilliant due to the fact that it will endless appeal to children, in particular, young males and the less evolved NASCARIANS that walk amongst us. The “story” is about a race car that gets lost in a small town full of quirky characters who teach him about himself and respecting others. Yep, its that script, but animated with cars and it sucks ass. The story is so moronic and so panders to the lowest of the low that I was embarrassed watching it.
In terms of offensive, nearly every racial, ethnical and regional stereotype is displayed and reinforced, from the redneck inbreed tow truck to the lowrider. In terms of stereotypes this has it all. However, what is most remarkably offensive, is that the “car” with the moral center and most I.Q. points in the entire film, the car who is in charge and guiding the town folks to their destiny, is a Porsche that is a lawyer. Serious, I did not make that up, its true. Sally Carrera voiced by Bonnie Hunt is this wonderful opened hearted visionary lawyer. I am not kidding. Did you catch this one? I will repeat it. The Porsche that is a LAWYER is the moral compass and brains of the whole outfit. Brains, well perhaps on occasion, but MORAL COMPASS? What?! Speaking of kidding, great message to send your kids. Sure kids, lawyers are great and they know exactly where to take our society don’t they? This is the natural order of things, lawyers who are rich tell the rest of us where to go and what to do and they know best. Look at what an awesome job lawyers are doing in Washington. Awesome! This script would have to work hard to be more offensive.
Was the film successful? Sadly, very sadly this film was very successful for reasons that I have already stated, namely it panders to the lowest common denominator. The film is disguised as good family fun and heavily marketed as such. In reality, just one simple layer beneath its veneer, is a film whose message is loaded with social programming and I would argue vicious in nature. Hate to sound like a left-wing liberal, but this is a twisted film, which really should NOT be watched by children for three reasons.
One, it sucks and two it is full of racial and ethnic stereotypes that reinforce the idea that everything is fine the way it is. The third and most horrifying of all reasons is yet again, we are subjected to the pure money grab that is Randy Newman. As if this film was not dreadful enough they feel that its time for Newman to get another paycheck. Dear God.
Honestly, all I really have left to say about this one is as follows: if you want to watch this crap as an adult fine, however, if you use this film to babysit your kids, then don’t be too surprised when they grow up to become little drones. Children are total and complete sponges, and the subtle and not so subtle messages of films like these will certainly give your offspring the ends up on how the world “works.” Many will read this review and claim that I am reading too much into the movie, but truthfully, can we be too safe when dealing with what Hollywood pumps into the minds of children. Probably not is the answer. To be completely blunt, this is a film in desperate need of a moral navigational system add-on.
Story F (This story has been told to death in some fashion or another. To make matters worse, Cars is remarkably offensive in so many ways.)
Acting D (The voice acting of Owen Wilson, Hunt and the others is unbearable, but the dialogue doesn’t help.)
Visuals B+ (I am not sure that the $100-$120 million dollar budget is truly reflected on the screen. In fact more has been done with less. All one has to do is look to Shrek’s roughly $50-$60 million dollar budget to see that money was wasted.)
Originality/Innovation F
Enjoyability Grade D-
Home Theater/HD Factor B (This will look good, just turn down the sound if you wish to show off your system. Unless you want to hear Randy Newman’s crap.)
Overall Grade F (Cars is morally offensive crap that shows Hollywood at its very worse. Just because a studio spends a lot of money on a film doesn’t mean it has any value. It is depressing that this film pulled in around $400 million dollars. Unfortunately a lot of children were indoctrinated with some unpleasant messages.)
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