The Problem with Cars.

As of writing Cars 2 is enjoying its first week in theaters, and while it is pulling in plenty of cash from its opening weekend the movie is being critically panned from many film critics. Not just that but the Cars as a franchise is constantly deemed as the worst of the Pixar films (still though, being called the worst Pixar film is like saying you got bronze in the Olympics, your still better then most), but why exactly is Cars the worst of them all? Well it really comes down too a few simple points:

1. Cars ignores the Pixar Fanbase

Pixar is widely renowned as one of the best companies in the business by fans and critics alike. One of the reasons is their choice of subjects they pick to base their films around. Just to name a few: Monsters, Superheroes, Robots, and Action Figures. All of these are key components to the nerd demographic. They will eat these topics up. Cars on the other hand is John Lasseter's love letter to his favorite past time; Nascar... yeah that does not go well with the legion of fans that adore their previous topics. Cars just did not click with the adults as much as their other films did. All Pixar movies have something for everyone child and adult alike; but Cars seemed only for the kids. Many believed this to be a sign for the worse for Pixar, but the reality was things were never better for Pixar. Cars was the biggest merchandising film of all time for Pixar (the video game alone sold 14 million unit!). This alone is what paved way for its sequal.

2. No one cares about these characters

In a good film the characters developement and arc is what should naturally progress the plot. This is arguably the largest problem with Cars; we are not given any reason to care at all about Lightning McQueen or Mater, and the movie has nearly a non-existent supporting cast. Lightning's arc in the original Cars is for him to overcome his arrogance and learn everything is not about him. His arc goes through because the plot demands him to change. Meanwhile Mater seems to exist for the sole reason of being made fun of, being sad, and making stereotypical southern and fart jokes. These are not good characters. Look at some of Pixar's other characters in their catalog of films:

1. Woody and Buzz a toy's who fail to realize that their good life with their owner has an experation date. From Buzz's ignorance to realize that he is not really a space ranger; to Woody's frail attempts to ignore the endgame for all toys: eventually you will be forgotten. The arc's carry a heavy reality on their shoulders as well as the potent ability to tug at our heart strings.
2. Marlin and Dory from Finding Nemo are the married couple of the Pixar characters that are not really married. Marlin has a fear of society and shelters his son due to fear of losing him. By losing Nemo his worst fears come to existance, and Dory comes in to help him let go of these problem. Marlin's fear orginates from losing his wife, and Dory is a projection of her. The similarities between his wife and Dory aid him into relizing his problem. The depth of death and moving on show the dark undertone on the movie that brings life to the characters.
3. Wall-E and EVE showcase the simpilist human emotion: love and the need to have someone. In the beginning Wall-E has lived his life in solititude until EVE arrives. Before she arrives though Wall-E is a complete loner, which is to relate to that horrible feeling everyone in the audience can relate too. When he finds someone the audience feel genuine emotion towards this budding romance because that emptiness is filled. Wall-E's arc is one of those few in film's that solely relies on the audience's own experiences and it ended up working. This gamble the movie made is one Cars never has, and never will make.

Cars is not a bad franchise, but when you look at the whole picture of Pixar's archive it sticks out like a sore thumb. It really is a shame too because with the release of Cars 2 shows Pixar is starting up some bad habits. Before this Toy Story, their most prized and popular franchise, was the only one that had sequals. Those sequals were made to complete an arc of all the characters. Cars on the otherhand had no need for a sequal except for more merchandising. If Cars 2 is a success (and lets be honest it will be) you can definatly expect more Cars in the future.