Hmm... I haven't seen it, but the trailer made it look like it might be hard to take, and then they held it back and tweaked it for a year, all of which made me think this might be a misbegotten one.
It's also gotten a mixed critical reception, with some muttering about how it's an unprecedented misstep from Pixar, but I recall A Bug's Life getting the same kind of mixed reviews (and I also thought that one was mediocre as storytelling, though technically beautiful; the Dreamworks knockoff Antz was more fun). Everyone loved The Incredibles, but that was as much Brad Bird's genius as Pixar's.
The trailer made it look like NASCAR: THE COMPUTER MOVIE!11 and while the racing is a big angle in the film and there are a lot of actual driver cameos, the movie's not all about rednecks watching cars make left-hand turns.
The majority of the film takes place in Radiator Springs, a "sleepy little town" on Route 66. Being a fan of roadside Americana, I was instantly enthralled. Hell, there's even a mountain monogram on a hill near the town.
The fact that some of the computer animation was technically amazing also didn't hurt things much.
Sure, the plot is as predictable as it gets (and I say this as someone who didn't see Doc Hollywood). However, I don't see Pixar movies for the surprising plot twists.
Okay, it has NASCAR (eh) and Owen Wilson (bah) and Larry the Cable Guy (ech). It doesn't matter. It's done well enough that I enjoyed the racing, thought Wilson hit the right notes (though it may be one of those situations where an actor has to really stretch, you know, like Tony Danza playing not-so-bright guys who are all named Tony), and even Larry the Cable Guy was used so as to add to the film rather than being a repetitive irritant (which I was worried about from the early trailers). I mean, the movie managed to make me not hate him...and that's an accomplishment.
(I think that at least some of the hold-back was to hit the summer release season, which seems to me to have been the right choice.)
I'd see it again. It's definitely on my buy-on-DVD list.
Oh, and the Pixar end-of-movie humorous bit? Kicks. Ass. No bloopers; it's better than that. Also, stay through the credits for one last laugh.
I didn't mind the presence of Larry the Cable Guy, because as far as dimwitted but well-meaning tow trucks go, he did a very good job at voicing one. Part of this is probably due to some semblance of acting skills, but I also think this is because in this film he was playing, well, a tow truck, and not his usual racist cracker redneck jackhole.
At the risk of spoiling cameos, I loved Click & Clack's. Especially since Ray got to be his '63 Dodge Dart.
And I thought the "tribute" to John Ratzenberger during the end credits was particularly inspired. He's Pixar's utility infielder when it comes to voices, and it was nice to see that recognized.
Hearty agreement on the Bug's Life/Antz hierarchy. And am similarly leery of Cars. I guess I may see it at some point. At least we have the Brad Bird Returning on Ratatouille, although what is UP with the fur on those rats? Course, I don't like their eyes either, but I am picky.
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dancing_serpent
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 01:12 pm (UTC)It's also gotten a mixed critical reception, with some muttering about how it's an unprecedented misstep from Pixar, but I recall A Bug's Life getting the same kind of mixed reviews (and I also thought that one was mediocre as storytelling, though technically beautiful; the Dreamworks knockoff Antz was more fun). Everyone loved The Incredibles, but that was as much Brad Bird's genius as Pixar's.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 01:53 pm (UTC)The majority of the film takes place in Radiator Springs, a "sleepy little town" on Route 66. Being a fan of roadside Americana, I was instantly enthralled. Hell, there's even a mountain monogram on a hill near the town.
The fact that some of the computer animation was technically amazing also didn't hurt things much.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 02:31 pm (UTC)Okay, it has NASCAR (eh) and Owen Wilson (bah) and Larry the Cable Guy (ech). It doesn't matter. It's done well enough that I enjoyed the racing, thought Wilson hit the right notes (though it may be one of those situations where an actor has to really stretch, you know, like Tony Danza playing not-so-bright guys who are all named Tony), and even Larry the Cable Guy was used so as to add to the film rather than being a repetitive irritant (which I was worried about from the early trailers). I mean, the movie managed to make me not hate him...and that's an accomplishment.
(I think that at least some of the hold-back was to hit the summer release season, which seems to me to have been the right choice.)
I'd see it again. It's definitely on my buy-on-DVD list.
Oh, and the Pixar end-of-movie humorous bit? Kicks. Ass. No bloopers; it's better than that. Also, stay through the credits for one last laugh.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 02:45 pm (UTC)At the risk of spoiling cameos, I loved Click & Clack's. Especially since Ray got to be his '63 Dodge Dart.
And I thought the "tribute" to John Ratzenberger during the end credits was particularly inspired. He's Pixar's utility infielder when it comes to voices, and it was nice to see that recognized.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 02:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 03:48 pm (UTC)And am similarly leery of Cars. I guess I may see it at some point.
At least we have the Brad Bird Returning on Ratatouille, although what is UP with the fur on those rats? Course, I don't like their eyes either, but I am picky.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-06-16 04:08 pm (UTC)I thought "What, is this gonna be known as 'Pixar Eye' or something?"