From an animator’s point of view the idea of anthropomorphising vehicles presents a considerable challenge. But you would never know it from the way audiences took this movie to heart. The cars have eyes in their windscreens they talk out of the side of their hoods. Sometimes their tires tilt for emphasis. Owen Wilson voices shiny red race car Lightning McQueen, a cocky whippersnapper who thinks he’s the fastest thing on four wheels. An unscheduled pit stop in Radiator Springs, Arizona — where he runs foul of local judge Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) — slows Lightning down just long enough to learn a few things about what really matters in life.
John Lasseter’s folksy, nostalgic movie about the pleasures of idling in a small town – then going really, really fast around and around in circles — is consummate family entertainment.
What’s surprising about this supremely engaging film is the source of its curb appeal: It has heart.
Kenneth Turan, LA Times
Media Partner
Community Partner
John Lasseter
Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy
USA
2006
English
Open to youth!
$10 youth tickets available
Indigenous & Community Access
Credits
Cinematography
Jean-Claude Kalache
Editor
Ken Schretzmann
Original Music
Randy Newman
Production Design
William Cone, Bob Pauley
Also in This Series
Toy Story 2
When Woody is kidnapped, it's Buzz who leads the troops to the rescue. Expertly balancing action, humour and emotion, this deepens our relationship with the first film's characters and introduces a stellar newcomer, cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack). Rated: G
Image: © Disney Pixar 1999
Finding Nemo
Junior clown fish Nemo swims too far from the reef and next thing he knows he's looping a fish tank in a Sydney dentist's office. Neurotic dad Marlin (Albert Brooks) follows in his wake, with dippy Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) tagging along for comic relief. Rated: G
Image: © Disney Pixar 2003
Matt Grinke's Happiest Jazz Quintet on Earth Plays Pixar
Enjoy a special set of Pixar tunes arranged by Disney Cruise Line music director and pianist Matt Grinke and his happiest quintet, plus a screening of one of the studio's most beloved movies, Monsters, Inc.
Image: © Disney Pixar 2001
