20 years old and it still has the horse power.
When I saw Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” 20 years ago, I never dreamed I would write this review in my adulthood. And now that it’s 2026, I find myself with a sense of memories and nostalgia. Why should we still care about this movie? Because it symbolizes a lot of things. It symbolizes good sportsmanship, loyalty, friendship, and learning to be a better person or car in this case.
I used to buy the die cast merchandise when I was in my preteens, and many years later, I’m happy my nephew George is loving the movies and shows on Disney+. And lately, he’s been enjoying the “Cars on the Road” song “Trucks,” but that’s a story for another time.
I’m happy that the original 2006 movie is celebrating its 20th anniversary in theaters this weekend, especially since school is starting and it’s a great way to close off the summer. I’m sure more kids are still seeing “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” but I’m also glad that they’re seeing “Coyote vs. Acme.” It indicates that they are seeing fresh movies in the target audience. And if they still love “Cars,” then I’m sure they’ll see it in a theater, too.
One time, my father told me that a girl thought that Paul Newman was only known for the tomato sauce. And I think it’s funny, because he was also known for a lot of movies like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” and “Road to Perdition.” And when I was in my preteens, “Cars” is how I knew who he was. He voices Doc Hudson, a former race car and now the proprietor of “Radiator Springs,” the small time community outside of Route 66.
Doc’s cynicism develops further, when his town’s road is accidentally vandalized by the hot shot race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), who gets lost en route to a major race in California. He’s forced to fix the road, but he learns a lot about his newfound area, including the friendship with the lovable tow truck Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) and his Porsche love interest Sally (voiced by Bonnie Hunt). In summation, Lightning needs a tune up, and so does Doc.
Directed by John Lasseter and the late Joe Ranft, “Cars” knows the visual appeal that has brought “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc,” “The Incredibles,” and “Wall*E,” among many other Pixar gems, to life. The world of talking cars and planes should be as visually stunning as it sounds, and it is. And the personalities in the characters should be as truthful as their jolly selves, and they are. It’s funny I’m mentioning this, because the other day, I watched John Carpenter’s “Christine,” which told the story of a nerd who buys a run down car from the 50s, and changed it up. So, while he transitions into an arrogant jerk, the car is revealed to be a demonic force that can fix itself up together. And the special effects for that were incredible. But given the personalities and horror tone, these movies have nothing in common.
Some people have been cynical about whether or not “Cars” deserves a place in the Pixar library, but I’m not cynical and I’m not mean. I loved this movie when I was preteen, and I still love it as an adult. It deserves a place in the Pixar library, and I’m still glad my nephew loves this gem.
