Lightning McQueen's Hero's Journey

Rewards

Allies, and Enemies

McQueen is rewarded with friendship and a place to call home during his time fixing the road in Radiator Springs.

Return

Lightning McQueen's greatest enemy at the beginning of the film 'Cars' was himself. In Radiator Springs he makes his first real friend with Tow Mater and later the whole town; including Sally Carrera, Luigi and Guido, Frank (the hippie combie), Flo and Ramone, the Sheriff, Red and eventually Doc Hudson Hornet.

Enemies include Chick Hicks and initially Strip “The King” Weathers as well as Frank, the protector of the tractors.

2nd Reward

Lightning McQueen returns to Radiator Springs as the town’s hero. He helps the town get back on the map with visitors starting to flock to the now-famous place. He realises that home is where the heart is and that there’s more to life than winning.

During the final Piston Cup race, Lightning McQueen embraces Doc’s words, “it’s only an empty cup” and sacrifices winning to help Strip ‘The King’ finish his last race. McQueen shows California the real spirit of racing and despite not winning, he is offered a sponsorship from Dinoco for his courageous, respectful values and behaviour. He refuses the new sponsorship deal out of loyalty to his original sponsors.

Tests and Quests

The End

The Hero's Journey in "Cars"

McQueen's journey begins as he begrudgingly accepts the task that will allow him to leave; fixing the road.

His quests and tests include escaping from Frank the Cultivator after tractor tipping, being challenged by Doc to a race (and losing) and overcoming his ego to make friends. He is later morally challenged in the final race of the Piston Cup.

Adapted from Shiliang Long

At the beginning of the film Lightning McQueen has no friends. He is not bothered by this as he is only interested in winning the Piston Cup and getting new sponsorship. He is selfish, arrogant, money-driven and interested in fame only .

Meeting the Mentor

Ordinary World

He meets the mentor, Doc Hudson, in court, not knowing he will become his mentor. Doc Hudson tries to give Lightning McQueen advice about how to drive on dirt roads. McQueen doesn’t listen as he thinks ‘old cars know nothing’ about racing. Eventually he tries taking Doc’s advice to “turn right to go left”. He also discovers that Doc is a retired three-times winner of the Piston Cup.

The story starts in the ordinary world. For Lightning McQueen this means on the race track. He is built for speed and aerodynamics. McQueen is a car without head-lights meant for the track.

Call to Adventure

Refusal of the Call

Lightning McQueen rebels against the punishment and the people of Radiator Springs and refuses to fix the road properly as he is only focused on making it to California for the final tie-breaker race of the Piston Cup.

Lightning’s adventure begins when he falls out of his truck Mack' on his way to the final race of the Piston Cup in Los Angeles. He becomes lost from the expressway and winds up in a small town, Radiator Springs, on Route 66. He is charged with speeding and punished by being forced to fix the town’s main road before he can leave.