Juno
$14.99Run Time: 96 minutes
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Plot Summary
Sixteen-year-old high school girl, Juno, convinces her friend/admirer, Bleeker, to have sex and ends up pregnant. Both her best friend and the clerk selling her the pregnancy kit find out the results before Bleeker does. Initially considering abortion, Juno decides on adoption instead to give her baby the best possible chance at life by selecting the perfect parents. Juno’s dad and step-mom are quite surprised yet totally supportive of Juno and her decision, and they begin the process by meeting the couple, Vanessa and Mark Loring, who would like to adopt the baby.
As Juno becomes more confident that she is making the right decision – changes in the Loring household may alter her adoption plans. Juno also comes to see that she has stronger feelings for Bleeker than she had been willing to admit. With a lot of dialogue and heart, Juno comes to realize what is most important to her, and her baby, and makes a choice that’s right for them all.
Critical Evaluation
While some may say it is a pro-life movie, some, especially some parents, may see Juno as a glamorization of becoming pregnant as a teenager. Juno herself didn’t exactly come across as trying to prevent an unwanted pregnancy; it may have been more of a naïve view of playing the odds, and Bleeker certainly doesn’t come across as the typical male teen looking for romance (aka sex). They just happened to use the wrong chair, at the wrong time: bad decision – Juno’s final choice: good decision.
Juno does make light of teen pregnancy, but if one looks more closely it is more about understanding the teen psyche. It is about how they make decisions. It is in a lighthearted way at times, but they are still teens so their brains are still busy making connections and it sometimes misfires.
I don’t think the movie would have suffered much if Mark (would be dad) were a little more typical, instead of one clinging to his youth, even propositioning Juno in a very inappropriate way. The only redeeming part to this theme in the film is that we get to see how much Juno has grown and matured, as she takes the high road of the adult and he is left at the curb.
When there were mass intentional pregnancies in Massachusetts a couple of years ago, and it made the national news, some started calling it the Juno-effect. That is unfair to a film that did an incredible job at playing true to a family in this situation, which could be any family – including the family of a vice-presidential candidate.
Genre
Curriculum Ties
Audience Level/Interest Level
Challenge Issues
teen sex, teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
Juno sheds light, sensitivity, and maturity on the issue of teen pregnancy and the decisions that must be made. Our teens who love it do so because of its realistic portrayal of an average high school student simply trying to make the best decision possible in a tough situation – while not taking life along the way to seriously.
New York Post, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times, USA Today
The Dark Knight
Summary
In a sequel to Batman Begins, our superhero Batman is still trying to eradicate crime in Gotham City. By day, Bruce Wayne is a billionaire and by night, he is the cape crusader. When impostors begin showing up around the city playing the hero until they are caught and publically taunted by the newest Gotham City villain: the Joker the real Batman is forced into action.
Batman considers whether the city really needs his help anymore – and whether he wants to keep up the fight against crime; forcing his hand, the Joker makes Batman his newest target.
Combating crime with Lieutenant James Gordon is the new district attorney
When the Joker robs the bank holding money laundered by the mob and sets it aflame to get their attention, he sets Batman as a target. When the mobs’ own accountant protects their money by running away to Hong Kong with it, Batman tracks him down and returns him to Gotham City’s police station. In a plea bargain, this one arrest allows Dent to arrest every single mobster in the city. Upping the ante, the Joker holds the city hostage threatening to kill every day until Batman reveals his true identity.
As good intentions and evil villains collide, citizens of Gotham City must hold true to their values and trust those with the authority will do the right thing.
Critical Evaluation
The costumes were perfect supporting our two main characters, from the grungy scary looking Joker to leaner, more technologically advanced Batman with his various modes of transport adding to the superhero feel. While the audience is clear where the Joker stands, and how apathetic he is – there is a noticeable shift in the intentions of Batman, as he crosses the boundary between hero and vigilante.
The special effects are some of my favorite elements of the film, such as the gruesome final version of Two-Face’s half-burned face was very effective and much more believable than if they had only used makeup. It also made it much more tolerable, as burns from a real fire victim are too difficult to stomach for most people.
More advanced effects such as those used to kidnap the accountant in Hong Kong, the cell phone used to blow up the Gotham City jail, and the final scenes of the factory explosion bring this comic story to a very realistic dark and dangerous world, making this the ultimate Batman story.
The film’s length and themes may be bit too long and too violent and complex for younger children, but then the film isn’t intended for them. Heed the PG-13 rating on this one, and watch this after the five year olds bedtime, please!
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Genre
Curriculum Ties
Audience Level/Interest Level
Challenge Issues
money laundering, robbery, violence, mob, kidnapping, torture, death, murder
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
American Film Institute (AFI) – Top 10 Film of the Year
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
This movie was selected because it is highly popular, as a terrifyingly realistic adaption of a comic superhero story and because it is the last completed film of Heath Ledger, which seems morbid yet makes it more appealing to teens.
New York Daily News, The Hollywood Reporter, The Christian Science Monitor, New York Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Rotten Tomatoes, Chicago Sun-Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly
Inception
$19.98Run Time: 148 minutes
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Plot Summary
A businessman, Dom, and his partner Arthur perform corporate espionage in an entirely new way – through the dreams of their targets, by extracting information while they are dreaming. This means they have to find a way to be in the presence of their target when they enter this dream state. In order for them to keep track of where they are in the dreams, original or a dream within a dream and because each dream level operates on a faster clock than the previous, they keep their reality in check by using an object: a totem. For Dom, it is a spinning top that viewers see throughout the film.
Dom’s new target is Robert, the son who stands to inherit his father’s vast energy conglomerate and instead of stealing information, Dom is challenged to enter the dream state to plant a seed that encourages Robert to break up the company. Not surprisingly, their employer is Mr. Saito, the competition. This seems to be a near impossible task, never having been done so that an idea is planted instead of stolen. Mr. Saito has his doubts that it can be done, but offers Dom an offer that he can’t pass up if he succeeds: the chance at to being allowed back into the United States to be with his children, as he had been accused in his wife’s death. Throughout the film, Dom is haunted by his wife, his former partner, and sometimes loses track of where he is in the dream state and whether he could have altered her fate – if only.
Critical Evaluation
This is the kind of film that a viewer can’t miss even a moment of, so heading to the bathroom or for more snacks is not recommended. It is detail rich, with its depth of keeping track of which dream layer the characters are at can get to be confusing for some – and may even get a few to give up.
Like any great science fiction, the believability comes in letting go of some of your logic while at the same time grasping the bits of reality offered in the film to validate the likelihood that it is possible. The idea that falling or dying in a dream state will pull you out, but not actually harm you is intense – and one you hope is true as that bullet passes through your body.
Because of the drugs used to create the sleep state, when Saito is mortally wounded instead of exiting the dream state, it actually puts them all at risk of entering the state of limbo. To exit these dreams, a team is needed to cause a fall or a “kick” to break the dream for that member and move him or her back up a level. The entire concept is bizarre on one level yet logical because many of us have experienced a falling sensation during sleep, and are usually jerked awake in the process.
The use of Dom’s former wife throughout the film has such a hold on him, that at times, it is unclear whether he will leave the dream state as he had spent so much time with her in limbo, deep within dream layers or give in and stay with her. The use of these scenes moves us through Dom’s back-story as the audience moves through the current story.
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Genre
Curriculum Ties
Audience Level/Interest Level
Challenge Issues
corporate espionage, thoughts & dreams theft, mind-altering, dream manipulation, violence, suicide, murder
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
Hugo Award – Best Dramatic presentation, long form
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
This is the kind of movie that a viewer needs to watch repeatedly to ensure he or she has captured every detail that is critical to the plot. I am including it in this collection because every teen that I spoke with who has seen this movie, 90% of those polled have seen it multiple times – and a couple wanted to watch it again after we talked about it.
Empire, New York Post, Variety, Rolling Stone, Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times, LA Times, USA Today – highest grossing film of all time
Cars
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Plot Summary
Cars is an animated coming of age film about a young (teen equivalent) racecar: Lightening McQueen that ends up in a three-way tie for the Piston Cup championship (modeled after the Nascar racing series). Eager to arrive in California before the other two racers and smooze for a new sponsor opportunity, Lightening has his truck driver travel all night. Somewhere along the way, Lightening rolls out of the transport rig and ends up racing through and getting caught speeding in the little town of Radiator Springs.
Residents of this rural little town, including the tow truck (Mater) have no idea who he is, but the judge (Doc Hudson) knows his kind and just wants to get rid of him. The town’s lawyer (Miss Sally), however, makes a convincing plea for community service (repaving the road) to begin fixing up their little town, left by the wayside when a major highway was built allowing tourists to bypass them. Instead of creating a nice road, Lightening actually makes it so much worse that he is forced to tear it up and start over.
When Lightening realizes that Doc is a former Piston Cup champion, he seeks out his advice and finds friendship, loyalty, and love along the way in quiet little Radiator Springs.
Critical Evaluation
The film’s length and themes are a bit long and might be lost on younger children, but our teen crowd loves all of the elements: the rebellion, the quantity over quality attitude and approach to tasks, the selfish and demanding expectations, especially how Lightening thinks the world revolves around him (sound familiar?), bigger is always better (or is it?), to knowing more than his elders, to showing little respect for the simpler things in life.
Over the duration of the film, Lightening learns, grows and makes some realizations that he would not have ever predicted when he set out on this journey to win the Piston Cup. Not all winners finish first, and racing through life only means you get to the end faster.
Based in part on the Nascar racing series, an older audience sees many connections from a racing legend retiring (Richard Petty), the perennial runner-up (Daytona 500-Dale Earnhardt), to media coverage at races (Daryll Waltrip & Dr. Jerry Punch), to loyal fans all decked out in their favorite driver’s colors/sponsor attire as they contribute greatly to the sport (and nearly $5 billion in product sales from this movie!) and are some of the most loyal product users of all sports.
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Curriculum Ties
Audience Level/Interest Level
Challenge Issues
N/A
Awards
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
Cars was placed into this collection because it is one of the top four our students would select, of all of the school-appropriate movies available to them. They even enjoy watching it repeatedly without tiring of it. I mean, what teen doesn’t dream of driving fast and growing up to be famous? It may be that they see a little bit of themselves in our main character: Lightening McQueen.
Entertainment Weekly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
$14.99
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Plot Summary
Sixteen-year-old high school girl, Juno, convinces her friend/admirer, Bleeker, to have sex and ends up pregnant. Both her best friend and the clerk selling her the pregnancy kit find out the results before Bleeker does. Initially considering abortion, Juno decides on adoption instead to give her baby the best possible chance at life by selecting the perfect parents. Juno’s dad and step-mom are quite surprised yet totally supportive of Juno and her decision, and they begin the process by meeting the couple, Vanessa and Mark Loring, who would like to adopt the baby.
Critical Evaluation
While some may say it is a pro-life movie, some, especially some parents, may see Juno as a glamorization of becoming pregnant as a teenager. Juno herself didn’t exactly come across as trying to prevent an unwanted pregnancy; it may have been more of a naïve view of playing the odds, and Bleeker certainly doesn’t come across as the typical male teen looking for romance (aka sex). They just happened to use the wrong chair, at the wrong time: bad decision – Juno’s final choice: good decision.
teen sex, teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Juno sheds light, sensitivity, and maturity on the issue of teen pregnancy and the decisions that must be made. Our teens who love it do so because of its realistic portrayal of an average high school student simply trying to make the best decision possible in a tough situation – while not taking life along the way to seriously.
The Dark Knight
Studio: Legendary Pictures/Syncopy Films
DVD Release Date: December 2008
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Original Score by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
Rated: PG-13
$14.98
Run Time: 152 minutes
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Summary
In a sequel to Batman Begins, our superhero Batman is still trying to eradicate crime in Gotham City. By day, Bruce Wayne is a billionaire and by night, he is the cape crusader. When impostors begin showing up around the city playing the hero until they are caught and publically taunted by the newest Gotham City villain: the Joker the real Batman is forced into action.
Batman considers whether the city really needs his help anymore – and whether he wants to keep up the fight against crime; forcing his hand, the Joker makes Batman his newest target.
Combating crime with Lieutenant James Gordon is the new district attorney
Harvey Dent who is set on eliminating the mob once and for all; Harvey also happens to be dating Bruce Wayne’s childhood sweetheart.
When the Joker robs the bank holding money laundered by the mob and sets it aflame to get their attention, he sets Batman as a target. When the mobs’ own accountant protects their money by running away to Hong Kong with it, Batman tracks him down and returns him to Gotham City’s police station. In a plea bargain, this one arrest allows Dent to arrest every single mobster in the city. Upping the ante, the Joker holds the city hostage threatening to kill every day until Batman reveals his true identity.
As good intentions and evil villains collide, citizens of Gotham City must hold true to their values and trust those with the authority will do the right thing.
Critical Evaluation
The Dark Knight lives up to what its audience expects, superhero meets villain and in a convoluted dance of will and skill it is never really clear who has the upper hand. The Joker is absolutely adept at being multiple steps ahead of our hero, law enforcement, and even the mob. This clearly demonstrates his lack of fear or logic, making him the scariest villain yet because he has nothing to lose; he doesn’t care about anything, and that makes him psychologically unreliable.
The costumes were perfect supporting our two main characters, from the grungy scary looking Joker to leaner, more technologically advanced Batman with his various modes of transport adding to the superhero feel. While the audience is clear where the Joker stands, and how apathetic he is – there is a noticeable shift in the intentions of Batman, as he crosses the boundary between hero and vigilante.
The special effects are some of my favorite elements of the film, such as the gruesome final version of Two-Face’s half-burned face was very effective and much more believable than if they had only used makeup. It also made it much more tolerable, as burns from a real fire victim are too difficult to stomach for most people.
More advanced effects such as those used to kidnap the accountant in Hong Kong, the cell phone used to blow up the Gotham City jail, and the final scenes of the factory explosion bring this comic story to a very realistic dark and dangerous world, making this the ultimate Batman story.
The film’s length and themes may be bit too long and too violent and complex for younger children, but then the film isn’t intended for them. Heed the PG-13 rating on this one, and watch this after the five year olds bedtime, please!
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman
Genre
Fiction: Fantasy - superheroes
Curriculum Ties
Analytically, the Joker is perfect for our English 11 Madman or Genius project which forces students to looks critically at behaviors and social norms. Artistically, this film provides an opportunity for students to analyze yet another comic book adaptation with the benefit of technological advancements. My digital manipulation students appreciate the use of this kind of technology to create the special effects like Two-Face’s appearance, and would want to recreate it with software they have available to them.
Audience Level/Interest Level
Ages 13 and up / YA
Challenge Issues
money laundering, robbery, violence, mob, kidnapping, torture, death, murder
money laundering, robbery, violence, mob, kidnapping, torture, death, murder
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
Winning 92 of 150 nominations for the 2008 Awards and Guilds, here are a few of the most notable:
American Film Institute (AFI) – Top 10 Film of the Year
Academy Awards – Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Ledger), Best Sound Editing
Golden Globe Awards – Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Ledger)
Grammy Award – Best Score Soundtrack Album (James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer)
MTV Movie Awards – Best Villain
People’s Choice Awards – Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, Favorite Cast, Favorite On-Screen Match Up (Bale & Ledger), Favorite Superhero (Bale)
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
This movie was selected because it is highly popular, as a terrifyingly realistic adaption of a comic superhero story and because it is the last completed film of Heath Ledger, which seems morbid yet makes it more appealing to teens.
This movie was selected because it is highly popular, as a terrifyingly realistic adaption of a comic superhero story and because it is the last completed film of Heath Ledger, which seems morbid yet makes it more appealing to teens.
New York Daily News, The Hollywood Reporter, The Christian Science Monitor, New York Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Rotten Tomatoes, Chicago Sun-Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly
Inception
Studio: Legendary Pictures/Syncopy Films
DVD Release Date: December 2010
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Original Score by Hans Zimmer
Rated: PG-13
$19.98
$19.98
Run Time: 148 minutes
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Plot Summary
A businessman, Dom, and his partner Arthur perform corporate espionage in an entirely new way – through the dreams of their targets, by extracting information while they are dreaming. This means they have to find a way to be in the presence of their target when they enter this dream state. In order for them to keep track of where they are in the dreams, original or a dream within a dream and because each dream level operates on a faster clock than the previous, they keep their reality in check by using an object: a totem. For Dom, it is a spinning top that viewers see throughout the film.
Dom’s new target is Robert, the son who stands to inherit his father’s vast energy conglomerate and instead of stealing information, Dom is challenged to enter the dream state to plant a seed that encourages Robert to break up the company. Not surprisingly, their employer is Mr. Saito, the competition. This seems to be a near impossible task, never having been done so that an idea is planted instead of stolen. Mr. Saito has his doubts that it can be done, but offers Dom an offer that he can’t pass up if he succeeds: the chance at to being allowed back into the United States to be with his children, as he had been accused in his wife’s death. Throughout the film, Dom is haunted by his wife, his former partner, and sometimes loses track of where he is in the dream state and whether he could have altered her fate – if only.
Critical Evaluation
This is the kind of film that a viewer can’t miss even a moment of, so heading to the bathroom or for more snacks is not recommended. It is detail rich, with its depth of keeping track of which dream layer the characters are at can get to be confusing for some – and may even get a few to give up.
Like any great science fiction, the believability comes in letting go of some of your logic while at the same time grasping the bits of reality offered in the film to validate the likelihood that it is possible. The idea that falling or dying in a dream state will pull you out, but not actually harm you is intense – and one you hope is true as that bullet passes through your body.
Because of the drugs used to create the sleep state, when Saito is mortally wounded instead of exiting the dream state, it actually puts them all at risk of entering the state of limbo. To exit these dreams, a team is needed to cause a fall or a “kick” to break the dream for that member and move him or her back up a level. The entire concept is bizarre on one level yet logical because many of us have experienced a falling sensation during sleep, and are usually jerked awake in the process.
The use of Dom’s former wife throughout the film has such a hold on him, that at times, it is unclear whether he will leave the dream state as he had spent so much time with her in limbo, deep within dream layers or give in and stay with her. The use of these scenes moves us through Dom’s back-story as the audience moves through the current story.
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Leonardo DiCaprio (Dom), Ken Watanabe (Saito), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Arthur), Marion Cortillard (Mallorie), Ellen Page (Ariadne), Tom Hardy (Eames), Dileep Rao (Yusuf), Cillian Murphy (Robert), Tom Berenger (Peter), Michael Caine.
Genre
Fiction: Science Fiction – action adventure
Curriculum Ties
Inception really lends itself to a study in psychology, and an even greater focus on dreams during our sleeping time and how they impact us during our non-sleeping time.
Audience Level/Interest Level
Ages 13 and up / YA
Challenge Issues
corporate espionage, thoughts & dreams theft, mind-altering, dream manipulation, violence, suicide, murder
corporate espionage, thoughts & dreams theft, mind-altering, dream manipulation, violence, suicide, murder
First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as tens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district's policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district's philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.
Awards
Winning 81 of 203 nominations for the 2010 Awards and Guilds, here are a few of the most notable:
Hugo Award – Best Dramatic presentation, long form
Academy Awards – Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects
Hollywood Film Festival – Movie of the Year, Cinematographer of the Year, Film Composer of the Year
MTV Movie Awards – Best Scared-as-S**t Performance: Ellen Page
International Press Academy – Best Art Direction & Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score
Saturn Awards - Best Science Fiction Film, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Music, Best Special Effects
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
This is the kind of movie that a viewer needs to watch repeatedly to ensure he or she has captured every detail that is critical to the plot. I am including it in this collection because every teen that I spoke with who has seen this movie, 90% of those polled have seen it multiple times – and a couple wanted to watch it again after we talked about it.
This is the kind of movie that a viewer needs to watch repeatedly to ensure he or she has captured every detail that is critical to the plot. I am including it in this collection because every teen that I spoke with who has seen this movie, 90% of those polled have seen it multiple times – and a couple wanted to watch it again after we talked about it.
Empire, New York Post, Variety, Rolling Stone, Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times, LA Times, USA Today – highest grossing film of all time
Cars
Critical Evaluation
The film’s length and themes are a bit long and might be lost on younger children, but our teen crowd loves all of the elements: the rebellion, the quantity over quality attitude and approach to tasks, the selfish and demanding expectations, especially how Lightening thinks the world revolves around him (sound familiar?), bigger is always better (or is it?), to knowing more than his elders, to showing little respect for the simpler things in life.
Studio: Walt Disney Video
DVD Release Date: November 2006
Directed by John Lasseter and Joe Ranft
Produced by Disney-Pixar
Rated: G
$16.99
Run Time: 116 minutes
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Plot Summary
Cars is an animated coming of age film about a young (teen equivalent) racecar: Lightening McQueen that ends up in a three-way tie for the Piston Cup championship (modeled after the Nascar racing series). Eager to arrive in California before the other two racers and smooze for a new sponsor opportunity, Lightening has his truck driver travel all night. Somewhere along the way, Lightening rolls out of the transport rig and ends up racing through and getting caught speeding in the little town of Radiator Springs.
Cars is an animated coming of age film about a young (teen equivalent) racecar: Lightening McQueen that ends up in a three-way tie for the Piston Cup championship (modeled after the Nascar racing series). Eager to arrive in California before the other two racers and smooze for a new sponsor opportunity, Lightening has his truck driver travel all night. Somewhere along the way, Lightening rolls out of the transport rig and ends up racing through and getting caught speeding in the little town of Radiator Springs.
Residents of this rural little town, including the tow truck (Mater) have no idea who he is, but the judge (Doc Hudson) knows his kind and just wants to get rid of him. The town’s lawyer (Miss Sally), however, makes a convincing plea for community service (repaving the road) to begin fixing up their little town, left by the wayside when a major highway was built allowing tourists to bypass them. Instead of creating a nice road, Lightening actually makes it so much worse that he is forced to tear it up and start over.
When Lightening realizes that Doc is a former Piston Cup champion, he seeks out his advice and finds friendship, loyalty, and love along the way in quiet little Radiator Springs.
Critical Evaluation
The film’s length and themes are a bit long and might be lost on younger children, but our teen crowd loves all of the elements: the rebellion, the quantity over quality attitude and approach to tasks, the selfish and demanding expectations, especially how Lightening thinks the world revolves around him (sound familiar?), bigger is always better (or is it?), to knowing more than his elders, to showing little respect for the simpler things in life.
Over the duration of the film, Lightening learns, grows and makes some realizations that he would not have ever predicted when he set out on this journey to win the Piston Cup. Not all winners finish first, and racing through life only means you get to the end faster.
Based in part on the Nascar racing series, an older audience sees many connections from a racing legend retiring (Richard Petty), the perennial runner-up (Daytona 500-Dale Earnhardt), to media coverage at races (Daryll Waltrip & Dr. Jerry Punch), to loyal fans all decked out in their favorite driver’s colors/sponsor attire as they contribute greatly to the sport (and nearly $5 billion in product sales from this movie!) and are some of the most loyal product users of all sports.
Actors/Actresses in the Film
Voice actors and actresses for Cars include Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Larry the Cable Guy, Bonnie Hunt, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Michael Wallis, Rodger Bumpass, George Carlin, Paul Dooley, Jenifer Lewis, Guido Quaroni, Richard Petty, Michael Keaton, Katherine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, and Joe Ranft.
Genre
Fiction: Contemporary – coming of age
Curriculum Ties
Both Spanish and French classes use this movie as a way for students to listen and develop or extend their language skills. Students listen in the foreign language, at first with English sub-titles and then without and are expected to interpret the general themes.
Audience Level/Interest Level
Ages 5 and up / YA
Challenge Issues
N/A
N/A
Awards
Golden Globe Award – Best Animated Feature Film
Annie Award – Best Animated Feature
People’s Choice Award – Favorite Family Movie
Broadcast Film Critics Association – Best Animated Feature Film
National Board Review – Best Animated Feature Film
Oscar Nomination for Best Animated Feature
American Film Institute (AFI) Nomination for Top 10
Grammy Award for “Our Town” (by Randy Newman & James Taylor)
Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Our Town”
Why Title Included & Selection Tools
Cars was placed into this collection because it is one of the top four our students would select, of all of the school-appropriate movies available to them. They even enjoy watching it repeatedly without tiring of it. I mean, what teen doesn’t dream of driving fast and growing up to be famous? It may be that they see a little bit of themselves in our main character: Lightening McQueen.
Cars was placed into this collection because it is one of the top four our students would select, of all of the school-appropriate movies available to them. They even enjoy watching it repeatedly without tiring of it. I mean, what teen doesn’t dream of driving fast and growing up to be famous? It may be that they see a little bit of themselves in our main character: Lightening McQueen.
Entertainment Weekly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
