rjung Reviews

Cars 2 (2011)

An action-filled fun change of pace

[8/10 · 26 June 2011]

Sometimes you go to a Pixar movie and get a deeply insightful, heart-tugging classic that sings to the deepest corners of the human condition.

And sometimes you go to a Pixar movie for some uncomplicated fun and adventure.

"Cars 2" is unapologetically the latter; it never reaches the emotional depths of "Up" or "Toy Story 3", but it never tries to be. Instead, this is a family-friendly action-packed adventure movie, the kind of movie you watch because you just want to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. Whether it's the gorgeous scenery, the breakneck chase sequences, or Finn McMissile's never-ending arsenal of cool gadgets, "Cars 2" is a movie that simply wants you to have fun as you follow along with its whirlwind escapades.

Some might feel this is a disappointment from Pixar, but I think that's being unfair -- after all, no one begrudges Steven Spielberg for producing both "Schinder's List" and "Indiana Jones".

"Cars 2" isn't high art, but it never tries to be. Even the best creators deserve to cut back and have fun once in a while.

Cars (2006)

Another fine Pixar film that practices what it preaches

[8/10 · 10 June 2006]

For the three people remaining on the continent who have avoided all prior buzz regarding this movie, Cars is the computer-animated tale of Lightning McQueen, a cocky hotshot NASCAR race car who dreams of making it to the top in record time. En route to an important race, Lightning gets lost in the forgotten town of Radiator Springs, where he meets an eclectic group of residents and eventually learns that the journey is the reward.

Despite how it may appear, there's nothing spoiler-oriented in the summary above. That's because Cars is not a plot-driven movie; there are no unexpected developments or surprise twists here. Just as you know Luke Skywalker will defeat the Empire, just as you know George Bailey will realize how meaningful his existence is, so you also know that Lightning McQueen will ultimately learn how to stop being a dipstick and slow down. Cars is, instead, all about how you get to the end and the experiences along the way.

And, true to the movie's message, it takes a leisurely drive to get there; the characters have subtleties that aren't evident until you actually spend time with them, and the movie gives us ample time to do so. In many ways, it's the opposite of X-Men 3, which zipped past its story so fast that the characters are merely blurry clichés -- in Cars, the characters that seem like clichés in the commercials and trailers become fully-formed people (okay, cars ) after you've invested the time to know them. This investment pays off at the film's climax, where you care about them as individuals and end up sharing their joys as a result.

If there's a weakness to Cars, it's that the second act is entirely wrong for the summer movie market. In a season filled with ear-shattering explosive effects, Cars' quiet serenity stands out to trip the unwary (the trailers, filled with high-speed NASCAR races, don't help any). Instead, the movie shows itself off with understated grace; the desert plains of Cars ranks up there with the undersea reefs of Finding Nemo for breathtaking visuals. And because it's such a character-driven vehicle (sorry), the deep introspection of Cars' second act will leave impatient viewers -- and younger kids -- fidgeting in their seats. But I can't fault the film for this; I'd rather keep Cars' second act as-is than break it up with audience-pleasing slapstick or -- even worse -- cut it short in the name of expediency.

Cars is not Pixar's best movie ever -- that title goes with The Incredibles, which deftly blends audience-pleasing action and humor with adult-oriented themes and messages. But Cars is a worthy addition to the Pixar filmography, a leisurely byway far from the frantic summer box office superhighway. This is a movie that doesn't just talk about slowing down to appreciate the quiet things in life, but also slows itself down -- and rewards viewers with some quiet beauty of its own.

Toy Story 2 (1999)

An absolute classic

[10/10 · 9 July 2001]

What can I say that several hundred IMDBers haven't said already? "Toy Story 2" is, quite simply, a masterpiece of cinema, destined to be remembered for decades to come. Despite the jovial title, this isn't just throwaway fare for the kids -- between the jokes and the action sequences are weighty issues such as love, abandonment, redemption, and the passages of time. The characters might be computer-generated toys, but they have more humanity and soul than most other movies ever made.

John Lasseter and the folks at Pixar are storytelling geniuses, and this is the pinnacle of their work.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

Yes, Virginia, it DOES stink

[2 July 2001]

I paid $4 to see this movie in a theater.

After five minutes, I was ready to walk out of it.

Yes, it IS bad. While it's certainly not all William Shatner's fault -- the basic premise and the script ebar a large part of the burden -- his attempts at slapstick comedy made a bad situation worse.

Don't be deceived, folks, STV is a stinker.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

An unrecognized comedy classic

[10/10 · 2 March 2001]

The biggest drawback of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure is that it it doesn't get the recognition it truly deserves. No one ever lists B&T in a list of classic comedies, but that's exactly what it is -- an airy, enjoyable, nonstop romp of silliness across time. The movie is filled to the brim with memorable quotes and scenes, such as Genghis Khan running amok at the mall and Bill and Ted's implausible (yet totally logical!) escape from jail. And yet, despite the guys' loser-slacker attitudes and the movie's laid-back tone, it's also family-friendly and harmless. Again, an unrecognized comedy classic.

Be excellent to each other and party on!

The Iron Giant (1999)

Best movie of the year!

[10/10 · 12 August 1999]

"The Iron Giant" is easily the best movie of 1999 -- or at least it should be. Heartwarming without being sappy, funny without being gross, insightful without being preachy, this is a movie that pushes the boundaries of American animated film which everyone MUST see. The only flaw on this masterpiece film is Warner Bros. inept marketing of it...

Tarzan (1999)

Should have been called "George of the Jungle"

[5/10 · 21 June 1999]

Maybe it's me, but when I step into a movie called "Tarzan," I expect to see feats of heroic daring-do by Burroughs' King of the Jungle, heavy on the action and adventure. But between all the slapstick jokes, goofy gags, and screwball sidekicks, this movie should have been called "George of the Jungle" instead.

While "Tarzan" is not one of the worst movies of all times, it is another letdown from Disney (especially following the more sophisticated "Mulan") and an insult to the Tarzan mythology. The Disney formula is running on all cylinders here, and the more serious themes of acceptance and tolerance are ignored by the meandering plot whenever it's convenient.

Not bad for a budget matinee, but they really should correct the title.