Topic:
I will be discussing the Importance of Pixar's Cars (2006) has on being more then just a children's film from self-growth methods through Transformation and Redemption, Sacred Ordinary and Symbols used in the movie to portray the main central theme.
Issues & Themes:
Our exploration dives into the central themes and issues that arise in Pixar's Cars. The movie teaches many examples on self-growth and overcoming adversity, while highlighting how humility and embracing change in the journey.
1. Transformation & Redemption
Lightning McQueen's journey as a sensational race car started with a selfish ego, wanting the fame and glory all to himself. Driven by a passion to win and work towards recognition and the desire to rebrand, his values revolved around his self-pride. I will discuss and provide examples on how Lightning was able to transform his passion and self-pride into finding the deeper meaning of life
2. Sacred Ordinary
McQueen enters a society in Radiator Springs where he is forced to stop; he rather enters a slow-moving world that consists of a quiet and close community of friends. Cars explores the nature and stillness, showing how taking a step back from the fast-paced society has on reflecting and a connection to the earth. I will show the value that McQueen brings to the small town of Radiator Springs, providing detailed examples that follow from his actions.
3. Symbolism
I will be discussing the religious symbols that are involved in Cars, and the role that symbols such as “Route 66”, “The Piston Cup”, and “The King” have on conveying moral and ethical lessons.
Argument & Conclusion
Argument:
The argument that my website portrays is that Pixar's Cars uses religion as a way to teach important moral and spiritual lessons. Through the themes of transformation and redemption, community and the sacredness of everyday life, the film demonstrates the use of personal growth. With symbols such as the “Piston Cup”, it helps to symbolize pride, ego, and the personal pursuit for success, while “Route 66” demonstrates the use of personal growth and the journey of life and self-discovery.
Conclusion:
I strongly believe my project will show the importance of Pixar’s Cars as being more than just a film targeted towards children. The movie portrays many life lessons through the story and characters it has. Engaging directly with Transformation and Redemption, sacred ordinary, and the use of symbols, my website will demonstrate how the film teaches the use of values such as compassion, moral growth, and the importance that can be made in a community.
Bibliography
Eichler‐Levine, J. (2024). Exploring Disney’s worlds through religious studies. Religion Compass, 18(11–12). https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.70010
↳ This article explores the use of Religious studies in the Walt Disney Company. While the article does not show a direct relationship to Cars as a movie, it explores through the approaches that Disney/Religion has, through talking on rituals, spaces and magic. Disney promotes and displays the use from Pixar's Cars, due to the children centric, but also from the message that it portrays
Hasan, M. (2015). Attaining tranquility through religion and Pixar. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/prandium/article/view/25690
↳ Content is relevant when relating to Cars (2006). While Cars focuses on Lightning Mcqueen's journey of self-discovery and humanity, it also constructs a safe space in Radiator Springs, when he unleashes his meaning for personal growth
Hofmann, J. (2018). Pixar films, popular culture, and language teaching: The potential of animated films for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Global Studies of Childhood, 8(3), 267–280. https://doi.org/10.1177/2043610618798929
↳ This article speaks on the stereotypes of Cars, and how they are viewed as "Rednecks & Italians". While many children do not pick up on such thing, the messages about equality and inclusion are all evident in the film.
Martín Alegre, S. (Ed.). (2021). GENDER IN 21ST CENTURY ANIMATED CHILDREN’S CINEMA. https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/llibres/2021/236285/gen21cen_a2021.pdf#page=125
↳ This article looks at the use of gender and character development that is used in the Cars franchise, while also showing a diverse amount of gender roles in the movie. While McQueen takes a step back to focus on his self-growth, female Sally, helps him slow down and figure out who he really is.
Purba, A. R., Ningtias, N. A., Ginting, L. S., Tarigan, M. S., & Sembiring, E. M. B. (2022). Moral value and character education in the “Cars” movie. IDEAS Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning Linguistics and Literature, 10(2), 1331–1343. https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v10i2.3204
↳ This article looks at the use of moral and character education when looking at how Lightning McQueen grows as the movie progresses.
Other Sources
Academic books:
Verde, R. (2010) The Wisdom of Pixar. (2010). Google Books
↳ This book helps to look at how Pixar’s films help show Christianity, and provide a framework on how moral and spiritual beliefs are portrayed in Pixar movies.
The Gospel according to Disney. (n.d.). Google Books.
↳ This book explores the early years of Disney and how culture has been portrayed in each movie, from discussing moral lessons to having diversity included in each film. Similar to Cars, having a diverse use of character backgrounds.
Fisher, J. (2022). Identify Formation and Powerful Narrative: What the Church Can Learn from Disney. CSL Scholar https://scholar.csl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1114&context=ma_th
↳ This text helps look at the key concepts that Disney has, and how religious people can learn from the moral and ethical relationships that are portrayed in their films.
Internet Sources:
Buddery, V. a. P. B. S. (2015, September 20). Positively Pixar: The lessons learnt from Disney Pixar films. Sarah Saw a Movie. https://sarahsawamovie.com/2015/09/21/positively-pixar-the-lessons-learnt-from-disney-pixar-films/
↳ This article looks at the overall lessons that are learnt from Disney Pixar films, and how each film has conflict that ends up being solved.
Deseret News & Jeffrey Peterson, For the Deseret News. (2024, January 2). 12 Pixar movies, 12 messages for families. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2011/7/7/20374087/12-pixar-movies-12-messages-for-families/
↳ This News article looks at the different messages that are portrayed in Disney movies, and provides how McQueen was able to grow by realizing there is more to life than winning.
Family Movie Discussion Guide: “Cars” (Pride & Humility of Lightning McQueen) | Heather MacFadyen. (2014, August 20). https://heathermacfadyen.com/2014/08/20/family-movie-discussion-guide-cars-lightening-mcqueen/
↳ This write-up gives insight into how McQueen was able to grow as a character, providing in-depth examples from the beginning to the end of the movie.
Johnson, C. (2023, December 26). The underlying spiritual themes of Pixar films and what they teach kids. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2015/6/23/20567089/the-underlying-spiritual-themes-of-pixar-films-and-what-they-teach-kids/
↳ This news article shows the importance of the messages that Pixar films have for children in today's society.
NRJohnson. (2013, March 22). How Pixar’s movie CARS helps your Bible Study. Deeper Christian.
https://deeperchristian.com/enjoying-the-bible-study-journey/
↳ This article explores ways on how Pixar’s Cars can help those who are religious, through the underlying message that the movie portrays to the audience.
Larkin, L. R. (2022, February 4). The Gospel according to Pixar: Cars - Mockingbird. Mockingbird.
https://mbird.com/theology/gospel-according-to-pixar-cars/
↳ This write-up explains the general plot of the Cars (2006) film, and how McQueen was impacted by those in Radiator Springs.
The Gospel according to Pixar Sermon Series: Cars. (2017b, June 18). Thoughts on God. . .and Other Stuff. https://revkory.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/the-gospel-according-to-pixar-sermon-series-cars/
↳ This article looks at the Gospel of Cars, and how it relates to self-growth and the ability for McQueen to grow, while relating to religious beliefs.
Noble Quote. (2024, September 27). Revving up the excitement: Unveiling the magic of Disney Pixar’s “Cars” | Noble quote. https://www.noblequote.com/learning-center/autotainment/revving-up-the-excitement-unveiling-the-magic-of-disney-pixars-cars
↳ This article explores the plot and the impact that each character had on the film, while providing examples on how they related to McQueen's growth.
Schmitz, N. (2022, February 16). Pixar’s cars as striking critique of the Liberal project - Irish Rover. Irish Rover. https://irishrover.net/2022/01/pixars-cars-as-striking-critique-of-the-liberal-project/
↳ This article shows the lessons that were taught to McQueen in the film, and shows how you don't know what you have until it is gone.
Wallis, M., Wallis, F. S, The art of cars. (2006). Google Books.
↳ This book shows a creative and unique way to show the plot from the movie, providing visual and representative examples on how McQueen turned from a self-centered race car, to knowing the meaning of giving back.
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