So I went and saw Cars. And as with The Incredibles, it was with some degree of apprehension that I entered the theatre. Would Pixar put my doubts to shame and be astounding, yet again? Or would the combination of Owen Wilson, an obviously rather pat storyline, and anthropomorphic automobiles finally be enough sillyness to sink Pixar’s latest creation?

Indeed, this time around the response is much more mixed than ever before. There was very little doubt that The Incredibles was spectacular–enumerating its various assets serves little purpose. But what is it in Cars that gives pause?

For starters, Cars is a completely different type of film from its immediate predecessor. Where one relied on a complex plot spanning a long timeframe, the other is simple, occurring in the period of a week. Where the one contains dozens of lush sets, the other occurs in only a handful–locales so intricately detailed that you want to stick out your tongue and lick them. Where one features humanoid characters with complex bodily movement, the other relies on expressions conveyed through windshield eyebrows and bizarre suspension configurations.

But these things do not make a worse film, they simply make a different one.

Cars is a laid-back, easy-going ride. The fun is in the trip to the conclusion, not the conclusion itself. Isn’t that the entire moral of the film? To not roar along the interstate and miss everything on the way?

The beautiful sets and characters are only the start. But once you pile on the classic soundtrack (Sh-boom, The Chords version) and a multitude of hilarious car puns, you end up with a very fun, watchable movie.

Is it the next Incredibles? I think not. Does it have quite the same cuteness as Monsters? Perhaps not. But this film is solidly enjoyable–cast from the same mold as A Bug’s Life, but with more humour and less condescension.

Just sit back and let it wash over you, and you might just be smiling the entire time.

I will be, anyways, at least until Brad Bird’s Ratatouille comes out next year.

Mike

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