One of the best things about Disney animated movies now are the people they get to voice the characters/objects, but sometimes I don’t think that they get it right at all. The one that sticks out the most just now is Cars, probably first in my mind because of the amount of times I’ve been a captive audience whilst my boys watch it…and watch it again….and again…..and again…. For a while it was like watching a daily soap, only the same episode every day!
Whilst I’m a little indifferent to Owen Wilson voicing Lightning McQueen (but then I’m a bit indifferent to Owen Wilson anyway) because I don’t think that the “voice” is as memorable as it should be, I think that the major voice flaw is with Doc Hudson. Paul Newman is a noted racing enthusiast and I fully understand, and applaud Disney’s decision to include him amongst the voice talents cast for the movie, but in my opinion, for some reason the character he was assigned would be better for an actor with a different kind of voice. Every time I look at the Hudson I don’t picture Paul Newman, I picture James Garner. I think he has the kind of aged but distinct kind of voice that the car ought to have!
Now just because I’d have James Garner cast in that role, doesn’t mean that I’d remove Paul Newman completely. Instead I’d put him where he belongs – on the track! He’s not a retired driver yet (even if his family would prefer it if he were) – he’s still doing some racing and so I think that a more appropriate part for him would have been that of King – the famous car who was coming to the end of his racing career and was about to drive off towards retirement.
There are not many times that I disagree with Disney’s choices, but this one is definitely one of those that I ponder over every time I see the movie!
Paul Newman the Blue Eyed Legend