Book Car Pixar Article
Pixar Cars – Characters
From Lightning McQueen to Mater the rusty old truck, they all display a kind of honesty and heroism of their own; and it is this depth and variety by which the characters are developed that make ‘Cars’ a most endearing movie to its audiences.
The lead character of the movie, Lightning McQueen, is a snobbish young racer who is hailed to be the next big thing in the racing world. He is so obsessed with his own talents that he neglects everybody around him. However, on an accidental detour to a rural town, he finds himself immersed in a whole new world, where his self-centeredness took a back seat as he discovers love and friendship. Owen Wilson performs remarkably as the voice behind Lightning McQueen. He gives the character a good variety of vocal expressions as he goes on an emotional rollercoaster, from a cocky racing sensation to a humble misfit in a forgotten town and then to his final end as a compassionate hero.
Doc Hudson is perhaps the most mysterious character in ‘Cars’. Held in high esteem by the inhabitants of the town, he doubles as a town judge and a mechanic. Due to his quiet demeanor, McQueen takes for granted that he is nothing more than a sluggish old automobile, but soon discovers that he has quite an illustrious past as the legendary Hudson Hornet, former winner of the Pistons Cup. Doc Hudson is voiced by Paul Newman who managed with great expertise to subtly express the hidden bitterness embedded in his otherwise steady and calm expressions.
The only female among the major characters, Sally Carrera is the owner of Cozy Cone Motel. She had abandoned her successful career in the city to find peace and contentment in Radiator Springs. McQueen finds himself attracted to this elegant lady as she takes him to the countryside and shows him a different side of life. Bonnie Hunt lends her character a soothing and engaging voice which aptly represents her calm and positive personality.
Then there is Mater, an old-fashioned tow-truck who accepts McQueen as a friend from the very beginning. Despite his rusty appearance, he prides himself as the fastest tow-rope in the area and the greatest backwards driver in the world. Comedian Larry the Cable Guy brings this character to life with a hilarious and heartfelt vocal performance.
The King is McQueen’s greatest rival on the track. Having won the most championships in the history of the Pistons Cup, he has decided to hang his wheels after this final race. In his desperate attempt to keep up with McQueen, he shoved Chick Hicks off the track and managed to win the race when McQueen turned to the rescue of Chick. Though he won the trophy, he lost the respect of his fans. Seven-time Nascar champion Richard Petty is the voice behind the King.
Underneath the steel-cold frames of each character, whether major or cameo, there is a human story with a very personal background. It is a most formidable challenge to instill human qualities in automobiles, but through relentless effort and good faith, ‘Cars’ marks a major turning-point in the history of animation.
