All Things Cars, Take 2

I wrote this "love letter" to Disney over a year ago, thanking them for making the movie Cars.  With three boys under the age of six, we have worn our Cars DVD down to a nub.  Oh, and in case you have missed the mania, Cars 2 debuts in just three days.  We will be at Eden Prairie mall Friday morning at 10:45 for the premiere.

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I am deeply indebted to the geniuses who wrote Disney's 2004 movie Cars. If you haven't seen this movie, please go rent, borrow, or steal it. (Just don't steal it from my house, because I would miss it too much.)

Now, I must preface this with the fact that I am not a NASCAR fan -- I have never sat and watched an actual race, nor do I care to.  So, this movie isn't only for auto freaks.

My two boys, under the age of five, are both completely obsessed with this movie. I have Cars cars stuffed into my jacket pockets, crammed in my purse, lodged under the couch, rolling around in my vehicle, and I just flossed one out of my teeth.  These things are everywhere in my world.  The Disney merchandising folks are brilliant...I mean, the movie is nearly six years old and they keep coming out with new toys and cars.

Admittedly, I have been completely sucked into the mania. If I am near the toy aisle I feel a sick compulsion to just stroll by and see if there are any new Cars hanging on the shelf.  My sister-in-law, whom I will call Jenny (because that is her name), confessed to me that she has started doing the same thing -- her son also has a deep passion for the movie.  It's just nice to know I am not alone.

I owe much to these Disney folks; first and foremost, my children will sit through the movie without moving, talking, or punching each other.  A side bonus is that this movie can be a helpful aid in introducing kids to the concept of morals and values.  I've listed below some of the key characters in this movie, as well as the lesson that could be derived from each. 

"Chick Hicks"/Cheap shots - if one brother pushes, knocks, clotheslines, or does any unwarranted act of violence upon the other, it is immediately called out as a "Chick Hicks cheap shot." Example: "Brick, that was a Chick Hicks move to kick your brother in the face when he's putting his socks on."  And Brick will acknowledge this by saying, "Cheap shot, sorry, Ferg."

"Lightning McQueen"/Taking the high road: Lightning McQueen experiences a positive character transformation during his time in Radiator Springs, resulting in a touching scene at the end of the movie in which he helps an injured race car cross the finish line.  I tell the boys that doing the right thing, even if it's not popular or easy, is always admirable. (And I usually get a quizzical look from them...but maybe someday this message will click.  Unless they sway towards Chick Hicks tendencies, which is where we're currently at.)

"The King"/Respecting other people = others respecting you: The veteran racecar, "The King," is loved and admired by his peers and friends because he is respectful of others, works hard and keeps his nose clean.  Although it's completely irrelevant, I remind Brick that The King shows respect by not biting or threatening to punch others.

Mater/Loyalty in Friendship: Lightning is at first undeserving, but the dense yet lovable "Mater" goes out of his way to make him feel at home in Radiator Springs.  (Plus it's always fun to have one of "those" friends around...you know, the kind that ate paste in first grade.)

This proverbial Cars road trip, when all is said and done, will be a long one for me.  "Cars Land" is opening at Disneyland in 2012, which features Radiator Springs-themed rides.  I hope we get to cut the ribbon.  Oh yeah, Cars 2 will be hitting theatres in just one year, which means the fire will be reignited and I will be immersed in all things Cars through the next decade of my life.

 And I'm okay with that.

Yours truly,

The Adult Imposter