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MAR26044

(2006), G ["Hard" G*] (1hr 55min)

Analysis Date
CAP Final Score
CAP Influence Density
MinMax
June 8, 2006
88 out of 100
0.21
-41

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Christian Long Distance

SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)

If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary.



(2006), G ["Hard" G*] -- McQueen is frantic to find Mack.


Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database
Production (US): Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios
Distribution (US): Buena Vista Pictures
Director(s): John Lasseter
Producer(s): Darla K. Anderson
Screenplay by: Robert L. Baird, Dan Fogelman, Dan Gerson, Philip Loren, Kiel Murray
Story by: Jorgen Klubien, John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Music: Bruno Coon, Randy Newman
Film Editing: Ken Schretzmann
Art: H.B. 'Buck' Lewis, Gary Schultz
Viewed At: Driftwood Theater 6


I viewed a screening of Cars  last night, June 8, 2006 and was able to finish the number crunching and provided the following (corrected) short advance scoring report to our distribution list about 3:30 AM this morning, June 9, 2006, before the first showing.

I just finished the number crunching for CARS . As a service to our friends on our distribution list before the complete report is ready and posted online, I offer you the Scoring Distribution for the film before the first showing later this morning. The following data [the Findings/Scoring data] will be repeated when I send you the completed report package.

Note that while the film earned a final score of 88 placing it in the lower portion of the range of scores earned by G-rated films in the comparative baseline database (100 to 87 out of 100), many references and inferences are well outside of the typical level of experiential maturity of most of the expected target audience. The inferences and references are not always suggestive of morally unsound or inappropriate matters but are simply "over their heads." For example, how many preschool and elementary school kids will understand what is a sponsor? And many of them will not even be able to read "Los Angeles International Speedway." Youngsters will not likely understand about 75% of the film.

Note however that CARS  is one of the most outstanding works of CGI I have ever seen. The attention to detail is exemplary down to the movement of smudges on rotating tires. CGI and CGI artists keep getting better and better. And Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) rides on Lightyear tires while Mater the tow truck (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) has "more fun than a tornado in a trailer park."'

After the grueling Piston Cup Trophy race in the Dinoco 400 at the Motor Speedway of the South that ended in a three-way tie, the Racing Sports Network announces that rookie co-winner Number 95, Lightning McQueen and the other two cars (one was the conceited Chick Hicks, the voice of Michael Keaton) must compete in a three-car race-off at the Los Angeles International Speedway in one week. This is McQueen's big chance to get into the ranks of the great race cars like Hudson Hornet by being the first rookie ever to win the Piston Cup Trophy.

On his way to LA in Mack, (voice of John Ratzenberger) the 18-wheel truck dedicated to transporting him, McQueen becomes separated from Mack by the highway harassment of some roadway ruffians. Originally bound for LA on Interstate 40, McQueen gets turned around by mistaken identity and ends up on US Route 66, the now-famous road story route from Illinois to California.

Becoming more and more lost McQueen ends up in the town of Radiator Springs in Carburetor County, home of Flo's V-8 Cafe, the Cozy Cone Motel with cottages shaped like traffic cones and the once-teeming but now deserted Wheel Well Motor Court. All the once busy and famous stops on Route 66 in Radiator Springs and Radiator Springs itself have become nearly a ghost town due to Interstate 40 bypassing Radiator Springs forty years ago to save 10 minutes of travel time. If you watch this movie you'll appreciate the ingenuity of the writers in inventing so many clever car-related phrases and terms.

McQueen is frantic to find Mack. Racing through the countryside, McQueen becomes entangled in wires of a barbed wire fence. Due to a Rube Goldberg episode of slapstick violence McQueen drags a statue of Stanley, the founder of Radiator Springs through the town, tearing up the pavement of the main street through the middle of the town. The Sheriff (voice of Michael Walls) has Mater bring McQueen before the Judge.

After a kangaroo court session with Judge Doc Hudson (voice of Paul Newman) -- look for "Hudson Hornet" if you watch this film -- and prosecutor Sally Carrera (voice of Bonnie Hunt), McQueen is sentenced to repair the city street by pulling Bessie, the street paving machine behind him. This task should take about five days. But McQueen has only six days left to get to LA.

Since this report is being prepared on opening day I am not going to go into any further detail about the plot and story in order not to spoil the film for you should you decide this film is fit for your family. But I will tell you the things for which you likely came to our site. Ka-chow!

Please note that the CAP Analysis Model treats animated behavior that can be reasonably duplicated by or subjected to a child as equally influential as a live actor/actress performing the noted behavior(s).

The Wanton Violence/Crime investigation area found reckless taking of chances by a personified character which might influence a child's coping skills and behavior choices [Prov. 3:21, Titus 2:7]. Likewise the illegal flight from police to avoid lawful detainment was incorporated into the Wanton Violence/Crime investigation area scoring. [Eccl. 8:11]

The largest scoring loss (41 points our of 100) was due to the film's content revealed by the Impudence/Hate investigation area. Such matters as two uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary [Col. 3:8], conceit [1Tim. 6:3 - 4], disrespect because of age [1 Peter 5:5, 1Tim. 4:12], unsportsmanlike conduct, flatulence [Eph. 5:4] and taunting of another to do mischief [Prov. 10:23] were expensive to the starting 100 points in the Impudence/Hate investigation area.

Note also that any example of onscreen behavior/speech/imagery warranting point loss under the procedures of the CAP Analysis Model may be incorporated into the scoring through one and only one  of the six CAP investigation areas. For example, the issues of unsportsmanlike conduct that resulted in loss/damage could be incorporated into either the Wanton Violence/Crime investigation area OR the Impudence/Hate investigation area. Not both. Duplication is thus prevented and manipulation of the scoring through duplication is not possible.

The Sexual Immorality investigation area found a number of crude and coarse innuendo and/or comments. For example, dotting the script are a tattoo sensuously placed on a female character, "I'd give my left two lug nuts..." [2Tim. 2:16] and a male car raising its rear end so a female car would look under it. [again Eph. 5:4]

The Drugs/Alcohol investigation area found nothing as did the Murder/Suicide investigation area. However, the Offense to God investigation area found one use of God's name in vain but without the four letter expletive. [Deut. 5:11]

The full listing of issues of moral assault is available in the Findings/Scoring section. Please take the time to look it over before you decide whether this film is fit for your family.


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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

CHAPTER/VERSE

  • Prov. 3:21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
  • Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. [In this verse, God shows us that what we do/say is an example for others, especially children: that your behavior may become the behavioral template for others.]
  • Eccl. 8:11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out [when there are overly delayed or no consequences], the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong [more].
  • Col. 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
  • 1Tim. 6:3 - 4 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing... [Though this verse speaks to he who teaches false doctrine, it puts conceit in its place. And since conceit is "haughty eyes" and "a proud look", Prov. 6:16 - 19 apply as well.]
  • Prov. 6:16 - 19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
  • 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise [in humility as the elders who have charge over you], ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud [huperephanos {hoop-er-ay'-fan-os}: an overweening estimate of one's means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty], and giveth grace to the humble.
  • 1Tim. 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
  • Eph. 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
  • 2Tim. 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly
  • Prov. 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. [And mischief (wicked schemes) is one of the seven things God hates. See Prov. 6:16 - 19 above.]
  • Deut. 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. [Vain is shav' {shawv}: emptiness, nothingness, vanity, such as an expletive. With or without the four letter expletive, the use of God's name in any way other than respect, reverence or thoughtful discussion is in vain. That includes the popular three syllable sentence with His name trailing it AND the misuse of Jesus' name.]
  • Matt. 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment [krisis: accusation, trial]: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [senseless, empty headed: a term of reproach among Jews at the time of Christ], shall be in danger of the council [sunedrion: adjudication]: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool [moros: impious, godless], shall be in danger of hell fire.

    ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences and present it to younger and younger audiences every year] when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, pay for it, enjoy it, want it, submit to it. I call attention to Ps. 12:8 to warn of the creeping desensitizing power of "entertainment."]
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
  • Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
  • Jude 1:4 For there are certain men* crept in unawares [secretly slipped in among us], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [whose condemnation was written about long ago], ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [a license for immorality], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. [Offend: skandalizo {skan-dal-id'-zo} - scandalize; to entice to sin; to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away.]
  • Ps. 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me [let no sin rule over me].
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ["Evil" includes all things that are sinful.]


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    As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.
  • FINDINGS / SCORING:
    (The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)


    Cars (2006) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W)
  • reckless taking of chances
  • illegal flight to avoid lawful detainment
  • ruffian harassment leading to loss of resources

    Impudence/Hate (I)
  • unsportsmanlike conduct, repeatedly
  • "I'm in hillbilly ---" and "Here in hillbilly ---"
  • disrespect because of age
  • flatulence, repeatedly
  • taunting to do mischief
  • lie

    Sexual Immorality (S)
  • "I'd give my left two lug nuts..."
  • male car exhibiting rear underside to female car
  • "lite" innuendo, repeatedly

    Drugs/Alcohol (D):
  • none noted

    Offense to God (O)
  • two uses of God's name in vain without the four letter expletive
  • "You fool!" [Matt. 5:22]

    Murder/Suicide (M)
  • none noted











  • Christian Educators Association International







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    There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our more than eight years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.



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