Don't let the visuals and story fool you; Cars is a great movie and can be appreciated by any age group. The story in basic terms is this; Lightning McQueen is a hotshot racing superstar that is competing for the Piston Cup, a highly-honored prize in racing. However, instead of winning this race, he ties with two other cars, and it is decided he will compete with the two others in three-way race. On his way there, four "street" cars (think those late-night drivers with hydrolics and flashy details that drive like the soccermom you just pissed off), end up unlatching him from his storage inside a 16-wheeler and send hif down a dusty path. This path ends up being part of Route 66, and lands him in a small town called Radiator Springs (but not without him doing major damage first). He is punished by having to retar the one path in the town, and since he's lost, ends up staying there and makes many friends. There is more to the story, but I'd probably be spoiling the story if I went more in depth.
The visuals, as for any Pixar movie, are amazing. It's probably because I'm a little crazy, but I would be watching the movie and sit there thinking "You know, that's a pretty canyon. Oh wait, it's not real." That's how stunning the visuals are. If you throw a high-definition television into the mix, you're in for (pardon the pun) quite a ride.
The sound, as well, is exceptional. Sound effects are great, and there is an excellent voice cast. Owen Wilson, famous for roles such as Hansel McDonald in "Zoolander" and his recent performance in "Night At The Museum" as Jedediah, voices Lightning, as well as comedian Larry the Cable Guy providing the voice of Mater, a rusted-up tow truck Lightning befriends in Radiator Springs. So, in summary, if you want a good movie for your collection or are looking for a good movie to rent, go out and get Cars. Excellent writing, breathtaking visuals, and exceptional sound are just a few components that make up this cinema masterpiece. Chalk another one up for Pixar, because this movie is definitely worthy of the name.