The Disney/Pixar animated movie “Cars,” which takes place on Route 66, was nominated for two Academy Awards today.
One nomination was for Animated Feature Film. The other nominees were “Happy Feet” and “Monster House.”
The other nod was for “Our Town,” written by Randy Newman and performed by James Taylor, for Original Song. Three of the other nominees in that category were from the musical “Dreamgirls” — “Listen,” “Love You I Do” and “Patience.” The fifth and final nominee was Melissa Etheridge’s “I Need to Wake Up,” for the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
The complete list of Oscar nominees is here. A complete list is also here at the Academy Awards Web site, but it wasn’t up before the wire services got it.
My initial reaction is that “Cars” is nearly a lock to win for Animated Film. As for original song, its chances are good. “Dreamgirls” having three nominees in that category actually dilutes its chances of winning. The Etheridge song is really good, though. I’m a bit shocked that “Song of the Heart,” written and performed by Prince for “Happy Feet,” wasn’t nominated. The exclusion of “Song of the Heart” greatly improves the chances for “Our Town,” which is tied to a memorable scene in the film and is performed by a beloved baby-boomer singer.
I’ll post more “Cars”-relevant stories about the Academy Award nominations later today as they become available.
UPDATE: Variety got a reaction to the nominations from “Cars” director John Lasseter:
“Cars” director John Lasseter and his son have an Oscar tradition.
“Ever since he was 9 years old, my oldest son would crawl under the covers and watch the nominations with me,” Lasseter explained. “Now he’s 26 and living in L.A., so he was on the phone with me today.
“I feel this was a very strong year for the animation industry,” Lasseter said. “It’s special because I hadn’t directed a movie since the category was created. ‘Cars’ is a very personal story for me. With my new job (as chief creative officer of Disney Animation), I’m not sure when I’m going to get the chance to direct again.”