It's funny sometimes what fiction can show us. Sometimes things from a childs perspective. Sometimes lessons people just don't think about. Many things, lessons and whatnot are often forgotten. And sometimes it's the most valuable ones that are lost, simple yet they go forgotten. For some people never to be seen again.
The other day I was watching Cars 2. And it was a pretty good movie, my first time seeing it. It was drastically different from the first, yet still enjoyable. I loved the whole **SPOILER ALERT**
spy concept for the movie, I thought that to be very interesting. This time around Mater was front and center. He received a lot of attention in this movie and for a good reason. A simple minded-yet somewhat complex tow-truck. Often looked at as missing a few screws, played a very big role in the movie.
Maters best friend and racing pro, Lightning McQueen was set to take part in various races around the world. Showing off a "new" fuel called "Allinol" along with many other races.
First stop, Japan!!!
Ok, we're starting to get there.
The location of the first race was in Japan. Like tourists, they were very excited to see the sights! But it was also at this point that things began to take shape, and the part where the lessons begin.
While they are there McQueen who is pretty popular gets attention from some other cars and is even interviewed a little. All the while his best friend Mater is being well...Mater. And McQueen sees that to be a bit of an issue. Mater is a character who speaks his mind, and doesn't really care much for what people think of him or the way he acts. And sometimes this can lead to trouble.
McQueen is trying to be a good friend and prevent Mater of making a fool of himself, but sadly at the same time he's actually more concerned with Mater not making HIM look bad in front of the other cars and racers. At one point, Mater eats and entire dish of "Wasabi" thinking it's pistachio ice-cream.
And of course in "classic" Mater fasion, something silly was bound to ensue.
After Mater starts drinking from a "waterfall" of sorts displaying McQueen's Number and Logo, McQueen thinks that Mater has started leaking oil and that goes off into a whole other situation.
As he begins the look at the situation of embarrassment, McQueen tries to convince Mater to act differently as they aren't in "Radiator Springs" anymore.
Later on after meeting a spy, Mater tells the gang he's got a girlfriend which no-one believes. And things get even more heated when due to Mater's action during the race, cost McQueen his near victory. After which McQueen blows up (not literally) on Mater for what he did and costing him the race. Also telling his "Best Friend" that he doesn't need or want his help' He then proceeds to tell Mater to go home.
Over the course of a few other races other things happen and later McQueen finds out that Mater left, but never made it home. Later throughout the movie as McQueen talks to many of his friends and new cars that he has met, he begins the see the error of his ways.
But there was one part in particular that really stood out to me. In one scene Mater is being given a disguise. But a few of the dents he has may prevent it from being perfect, even knowing that he refused to have them fixed. Each dent meant something special to him as he obtained them with his best friend.
In this movie Mater played the role of the caring friend. He saw something in that friendship that Lightning McQueen did not. He knew he was a bit goofy, but that was just the way that he was. And he liked things that was. He liked being Mater, the goofy tow-truck from Radiator Springs.
Lightning McQueen knew he was wrong for trying to change his O'l chum, and wanted to apologize for it. Mater even risked his own life to save his friend. *Starts listening to "How to save a life"*
Sometimes it's easy to get wrapped up in our own thing and forget about those around us. For many when in a new place it's pressuring to want to fit in and be perfect around these people you don't know. But it's those friends in life like Mater who while may not be perfect, are some of the most sincere people you can ever meet. Regardless to whether or not they look silly, they are always themselves and do whatever they can to help their friends.
Always putting themselves second...or last for the good of the group, or even just a single friend. lending a helping hand whenever they can. He saw the depth and true meaning of their friendship. These people are in our lives for a reason, those few great, caring, loving and genuine friends. Just remember that whenever possible, be that friend. Be the "Mater" of the group. I'm not saying be foolish at times or for lack of a better word "stupid" at times. But just be true to yourself and others.
As the years pass there are always people you lose touch with for any number of possible reasons. People get married, have kids, move away, get jobs in other cities or are sometimes just going through things. Busyness is just a part of live, but even so we can't forget about those people who have helped us get to where we are now. Those people who have been there for us. Who have created those "dent memories" with us to always share. Even if or when no-one else is, be that person. Be a Mater friend.
