With two very active three-year-old boys, I need to keep a good movie on standby for those moments when there's just something that needs to be done. This is THE movie. We've watched it over 50 times at this point, and will watch it another 200, I'm positive. Being a NASCAR family, we were ready for this to come out. Having two young children, we were hesitant about seeing it at the theatre. We should not have worried... they were captivated from the moment the projector started.

The concept of the world populated strictly by vehicles (cows are portrayed as tractors, people as cars, trucks and tractor-trailers) is an amusing and interesting one. The story is so well-done that it's easy to sink into this reality.

Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), a famous, impatient, and ambitious racecar, gets lost on a cross country trip to California and the coveted Piston Cup race, and destroys the road in the forgotten town of Radiator Springs on Route 66. He is brought before the Judge, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and ordered out of town. The town attorney, Sally (Bonnie Hunt), is determined not to allow that to happen and gives an impassioned speech to have him fix the road.

McQueen believes he is in "Hillbilly Hell" until he begins to recognize that Tow Mater (pronounced "ta-mater, without the ta", by the always-hilarious Larry the Cable Guy) really is his best friend. Other characters in Radiator Springs include Flo (Jenifer Lewis), Ramone (Cheech Marin), Sheriff (Michael Wallace), Luigi (Tony Shalhoub), Guido (Guido Quaroni), and many more.

Eventually, he makes it to the Piston Cup race, and is up against Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton) and racing legend "The King" (Richard Petty). The race is edge-of-your seat, and has a very exciting conclusion.

It doesn't end there, and to prevent a reveal, I'll stop here, but will say that the ending pleases adults and children alike.

This was in instant classic in our home. I'm sure it will be in yours, too.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4