 Pixar's seventh computer-animated feature may not be as fine-tuned as its most recent models (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo), nor souped-up with as many super-charged thrills and spills, but Cars is nevertheless terrific family entertainment. The visuals are absolutely stunning, from the reflections in the glass and bodywork of the automotive protagonists as they accelerate through beautifully rendered towns and deserts, to clever touches, like the bluebottle fly cars which buzz noisily in the heat. Director John Lasseter, returning to the helm for the first time since 1999's Toy Story 2, fuels up his picture with plentiful laughs and a garage full of loveable four-wheeled characters. However, he encounters a few problems with pacing. The narrative is stuck in second gear for the middle act, ensuring a road trip in excess of two hours which may leave some younger viewers impatiently asking: "Are we there yet?" Vocal performances are energetic. Larry The Cable Guy snaffles the biggest laughs as rusty tow truck Mater, who is a couple of spark plugs short of a full set. "I'm happier than a tornado in a trailer park," he giggles. Visual gags abound, from a glimpse at The Jay Limo Show to a Yellow Hummer that bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain governor of California. The dazzling end credits sequence is the icing on the cake, including remakes of all the early Pixar films with automobiles in the lead roles. Genius. The film opens on track with rookie race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) embroiled in a three-way tie for the prestigious Piston Cup with reigning champion The King (Richard Petty) and perennial runner-up Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton). The leading contenders head for California for the final decisive race of the season, only for Lightning to lose his way and end up in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs. The locals, including a wise ol' 1951 Hudson Hornet called Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), a pretty 2002 Porsche called Sally (Bonnie Hunt), a 1960 VW bus called Fillmore (George Carlin) and tow truck Mater, welcome Lightning with open bonnets, and show him there's more to life than burnin' rubber. | 
Movie double-acts come in all shapes and sizes ...and with varying degrees of success.
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