Introducing Slasher Films with Cars 2 (2011)
Slasher films are a subgenre of the criminally underappreciated Horror genre. Historically, they encompass all manner of films, such as highbrow Hitchcock-type classics like Psycho (1960), to the greatest film trilogy ever made, Friday the 13th; Friday the 13th Part 2; and the imaginatively named, Friday the 13th Part 3.
The origin of the name lies in the concept of its characters being ‘slashed’, as in, brutally killed by all manner of tools and gardening equipment. Most critics agree that slasher films can be divided into three subsections: the classical (1974-1993), the self-referential (1993-2000) and the neoslasher cycle (2000-2013), which sounds like the specialist option for some futuristic Tesla washing machine but there you go.
Today, we visit this genre slapbang in the middle of the neoslasher cycle with the release of Cars 2, a little-known driver of the medium. Early influences for the genre are usually typified by an anonymous maniac seeking revenge, usually stalking a sympathetic character. In a plot thinner than clingfilm, and even more transparent, the film introduces this character to us with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson who is voiced by a discount Matthew Mcoughaney).
McQueen is a famous race-car who will be taking part in a World Grand Prix, which also happens to be hosted by the countries with the largest box offices thus conveniently aiding the merchandise sales of thousands of plastic toys throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
As the race begins however, a darker, and more sinister tone begins to emerge within this 3D animated nightmare. One by one, cars begin to spontaneously combust, erupting into flames in silent screams, left behind as our hero speeds ahead, to diminish into twisted metal carcasses.
Gradually, these murders begin to produce suspicion, and become a heavier onscreen presence in the cross genre neo-noir style subbing black gloves for tyres and foot steps for revved engines. So far, so Slasher. Except, as emerges, our enemy here is not a singular maniac as is typical of the genre. Instead, an SS style German Professor is leading a complex ring of crude oil miners to torture and poison racers, funded by foreign investment. Side-note; the MPAA rating for this film was G.
As with all slasher films, Lightning McQueen alone survives to be the lucky ‘final girl’ and with the final bomb disabled, all is apparently well. Yet as the lights begin to fade in and the credits begin to roll, the entire audience are forced to confront a two-foot projection of the Disney logo, as a subtle reminder that major conglomerates and huge oil-rich companies will continue to exist. And so, with the release of Cars 3, we see first-hand that the threat will survive.
