CARS (2006) 3 stars out of 4. Starring Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Guido Quaroni, Jennifer Lewis, Paul Dooley, George Carlin, Katherine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, Richard Petty, Jeremy Piven, Bob Costas and Darrell Waltrip. Music by Randy Newman. Original story by John Lassiter, Joe Ranft and Jorgen Klubien. Screenplay by Dan Fogelman, John Lassiter, Joe Ranft, Kiel Murray & Phil Loren and Jorgen Klubien. Co-directed by Joe Ranft. Directed by John Lassiter. Rated G. Running time: Approx. 96 mins.

       
Cars is a thrilling movie to watch, technically one of Pixar痴 finest works.The aerial and stadium crowd shots, the cars zooming around the track are superb.

        But the movie lacks something that other Pixar efforts, especially the two Toy Story features and Monsters Inc., had. I think it is surprise, a sense of awe and wonder.

        And perhaps that is due to the story. Six writers are credited on the script, which should tell you something right away.

        The story is too pat, too formulaic. It could have been a live-action movie, which is the major difference between Cars and other Pixar works.

        This is the old saw about the cocksure guy who believes that he can go it alone, but learns the hard way that he, indeed, needs friends and support.

        That the story is set in a world entirely populated by cars fails to add any freshness or vitality to the story.

        Cars may paint a pretty picture, but it is strictly by the numbers.

        It's a shame that the vocal talent director John Lassiter assembled did not have a more original script to work from.

        Owen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, the cocky rookie driver; Paul Newman is Doc Hudson, the old auto with a secret past; Bonnie Hunt is the love interest, while able support comes from Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Guido Quaroni, Paul Dooley, George Carlin and John Ratzenberger.

        Younger viewers who are not so demanding will enjoy Cars more than the adults. Despite its clich駸, it is colorful, funny and sweet. Randy Newman again contributes some fine music.

        Clocking in at what feels like two hours, Cars may be a bit too long for the youngsters, some of whom sounded restless at a preview screening.

        If the Pixar brain trust had spent as much time on the script as they had on the visuals, Cars would have been a champion. But because of its weak story, it is just another vehicle somewhere in the middle of the pack.

        Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at serialhero48@yahoo.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com.