Film Illiterate, wherein the proprietor records movies seen, and sporadic progress through assorted lists of the "best". Originally started after regretfully renting something forgettable for the third time. I've forgotten what, but never again! A tedious endeavour since 2005. Hello. 🙂
Reviled as the worst of Pixar's generally stellar lineup until the recent release of Cars 2, its sequel, Cars has nevertheless been a smash hit merchandising success: I personally wonder if this has more to do with the low creativity required to produce car-themed car toys as opposed to action figures of retirees in balloon houses, but that is beside the point. The film's grotesque anthropomorphic vehicles have entered the modern mythology and now adorn the possessions of every second young boy.
I was inclined to hate it before I ever put it on.
Truthfully, it's not that bad: over-long for what it is, starring weird, rounded cars with eyes, but some of the supporting characters are charming and there are many cute background touches to flesh out this "what if cars were like humans?" alternate universe. (My favourite reading of the film is that it's a dystopian future where SkyNet, having wiped out mankind, builds a robot society which slavishly copies its forbears' behaviour.) Less charming is the revolting hick stereotype "Tow Mater", voiced by real-life revolting hick stereotype Larry the Cable Guy.
All of this adds up to possibly the best movie about talking cars you'll ever see, but it's still a waste of an afternoon.