Michael Wallis of Tulsa was flown the California over the weekend to view a final cut of Pixar's Route 66-based film, "Cars."
Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road," acted as technical adviser to the film, guided the Pixar crew on a Route 66 tour several years ago, and voices the part of a 1950s Mercury sheriff's car in the movie.
I e-mailed Wallis and asked him to give me his impressions of the final version of the film. This is what he wrote:
Disney-Pixar flew me out to Burbank for a private screening of the final cut of "Cars." While at the Disney Studios, I also did some publicity photos, had several publicity meetings, and met with a producer for an upcoming short TV program for kids I will be filming with Disney on Route 66 in Oklahoma.
I of course have watched the film develop from the very beginning. I've been involved in practically every phase of its life thus far. Just a couple of months ago at Pixar, I saw the almost, almost final cut. With that said, here's how I felt when I saw the final version complete with music, credits, etc.:
Blown away. That was my feeling after viewing the final cut of "Cars" during a private screening event for me at the Disney Studios. This film is truly magnificent. It will make such a positive impact on the Mother Road, and for that matter, all of the nation's historic highways and byways.
I was the sole person in the large screening theatre. I had plenty of stout coffee, water, and optimism as the huge screen came alive and began to roll. When I walked out after the final credit, I was in tears. Tears of pure joy and also tears of pride. I am so proud to have been part of this project as consultant, voice character, and, along with sweet Suzanne (editor's note: Michael's wife), author of the definitive book about making the movie. As soon as the folks waiting for me to usher me to a debriefing and the rest of my meetings saw my face, they dispatched e-mails to my pails up north at Pixar: "MICHAEL LOVES IT." They were able to do that without even hearing my reaction. They saw it in my eyes and face. How right they were.
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Bravo for your review, Michael. I'm very excited about seeing it.
"Cars" opens wide on June 9.
Holy crap. They made a Marine cry.
Yowza.
I’ll see it in Grants, NM. I hope there’s some trucks in it, too!
There are. I’ve seen a still with a semi in it, along with Mater, who’s a tow truck that has a prominent role in the film.
Cudos to Pixar & our roadie friend & fellow Marine Michael Wallis. Marines don’t cry, but they do shed tears. Can hardly wait to see the movie. What’s good for 66 is good for us.
Mike will also be at the Okahoma City premier screening as well as other Oklahoma venues.
my question is for the writer of the movie cars. How did you become a proffesional writer?