Originally Posted By Hista98 so I remeber reading an article a little while ago that said that the two pixar films that would be franchised would be cars and toy story. I can understand toy story as it was the first one. but I couldn't really get why they picked cars to franchise. I Was not a big fan of the movie and didn't find it that entertianing and wouldn't see it having a long appeal. I was actually more suprised that they didn't pick Finding Nemo to franchise instead. to me it seems a lot more popular and I think it has a longer asting appeal. and more lovable charecters. I mean whats so cuddly about cars? my guess is they appeal to the boys who like cars. But I still don't get it. Anyone know why??
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan It was a very popular hit film, spawning an extraordinarily popular line of toy cars, a sequel is in the works, and Radiator Springs will be coming to DCA in the future. The "why" is because it is very, very popular, with characters millions of people enjoy.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Cars has proven to be the single biggest marketing bonanza spawned by Pixar. Literally billions and billions of dollars have been made off the Cars line. It is odd, considering it isn't the biggest box office film from Pixar. But that's part of what makes the film and entertainment business such a quirky one. The DVD of Cars has sold quite briskly, and the diecast cars alone have been a huge segment of the licensing profit. Cars are closing in on Hot Wheels as Mattel's hottest vehicle toy line. The sequel not only makes great business sense (this title is eagerly, eagerly anticipated by millions of children), but it is also a personal favorite of John Lasseter whose father was a car dealer, and who loves NASCAR.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Cars merchandise is still sold in stores. I still see it on lots of boys. I think from that point of view it certainly has legs. And, of course, it is...strangely enough...one of America's most popular "sports".
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<the diecast cars alone have been a huge segment of the licensing profit. Cars are closing in on Hot Wheels as Mattel's hottest vehicle toy line.>> The top five boys licensed toy lines are Batman, CARS, Spider-Man, Star Wars, and Thomas and Friends. CARS die cast vehicles are hot, hot, hot...every new character released, no matter how obscure (they're making characters that appear on-screen for a few seconds in the movie), sell out almost as fast as they hit retailer shelves. They've made cars based on characters in CARS books, and they're making toys of characters seen in Mater's Tall Tales cartoon shorts. So if you think CARS has no long-term appeal, you are very, very wrong.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Hista88, I'm with you. Of all the Pixar movies, 'Cars' is at the very bottom of my list. Even below 'Ratatouille' which I haven't even seen yet. 'Cars' left me bored, baffled and wondering what I had missed. The audience I watched with just howled and screamed at all the jokes. My wife and daughter and I just sort of looked at each other with a 'huh?' look on our faces. Good thing I'm not in charge of greenlighting movies or theme park attractions at Disney. Can you say 'One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing: The Ride'?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Jim and Hista...are you Nascar fans? Just curious if that was the disconnect. Although, I'm not a Nascar fan but I thought the movie was funny. Then again, I like cars in general.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is interesting, I am not a fan of Nemo, bt Cars is probably my fave Pixar!
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Honestly, I think some of the success of cars lies in the character development. When I first heard they were making a movie about talking cars I was a bit surprise. (Of course, I didn't see the problem with talking fist, ghosts or talking toys so maybe there is something wrong with me.) But, by the middle of the movie I wasn't looking at them like cars...I was seeing the character. I felt bad for Lightning that he was lonely. I related to Mater as he was a bit of an oddball who desperately wanted a friend. I understood the feelings Doc had about wanting to forget his past...yet feel some of the glory again in the end when he helped Lightning win. And, since I grew up in the West I certainly understood the plight of the townspeople who felt their little community was forgotten. To me that is the true inspiration behind all of the Pixar movies. For as technologically achieving as they are...it is their character development that really sells it. Look no further than WALL-E for maybe the best example of that.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed Wahooskipper. I identified with this guy that was always racing for glory, and then suddenly he stopped to smell the roses and fell in love (in many ways). I also love the art design and the soundtrack. To me it resonated on so many levels.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I'm not a NASCAR fan, and I'm not all that into cars. But I am fascinated with Route 66, how those old roadside attractions are all but gone now. The areas around Radiator Springs looked quite a bit like parts of Nevada past Reno, out where my sister-in-law's family lives. So, that part of the story appealed to me, I loved Doc Hudson and Tow Mater and the sight gags. Cars is my second-favorite Pixar film, after The Incredibles. (Of course, the difference between my favorite and least favorite Pixar film is about as wide as a gnat's eyelash, I've enjoyed them all.) And I liked the message about slowing down, taking the scenic route in life once in awhile, appreciating what's there before it's gone. Not earth shattering messages, perhaps, but good advice nonetheless.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan And i especially liked that the various cars were specific, based on actual models, not just made up. And the characters -- from the nervous minivans, to the souped up import street racers, to the hippie VW bus -- they all worked. The cars had so much character and expression, I almost wish they would have left the windshield eyes out. I think they could have communicated every emotion without them.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Good points. I compared the "desertion" of Radiator Springs with the loss of roadside attractions. Before Disney and the Orlando boom Florida had some GREAT roadside attractions but they are all but gone now. As the amusement industry consolidates we are losing some great, smaller amusement parks as well. That message resonates with me.
Originally Posted By LindsayC A friend came over and saw my Disney DVD collection - they must have noticed that Cars wasn’t in it and duly bought it as a Christmas present for me. I was very polite and honest and a sentence with “dull” and “dishwater” was used and they had no problem with me returning it, so that and “The Wild” are pretty much the only two Disney DVDs I don’t have.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan As the amusement industry consolidates we are losing some great, smaller amusement parks as well. That message resonates with me.<< Me, too. I know times change, tastes change, and many of those old roadside attractions were kitschy, hokey things. But at the same time, there was something genuine in their artificiality, if that makes sense. Each was a little dream, a little family operation. Sure, to make money. But also to provide little flashes of interest and wonder and even a bit of magic now and then.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Oh, and the point about the soundtrack was good too. I thought the music selection for the movie was nearly flawless. Real Gone by Cheryl Crow. Our Town by James Taylor. A couple nice songs by Brad Paisley. One of the few Soundtracks I keep in my car.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>that and “The Wild” are pretty much the only two Disney DVDs I don’t have. << Roadside Romeo? Valiant? Secret of the Magic Gourd? Teacher's Pet? A Goofy Movie? The Studio Ghibli films? (If "The Wild" counts, then you've open the floodgates.)
Originally Posted By LindsayC Thankfully Valiant wasn’t “sold” as a Disney movie in the UK whereas The Wild was and would also stay in the “never in a million years” category. Goofy Movie... yes (cheesy but great!) along with quite a few of the Ghibli films though they aren’t put alongside Disney... and the Magical Gourd is on my list for next time I‘m in the States.
