Turbo proves no dream is too big and no dreamer is too small

Sure, we’ve all heard about that plucky little engine that could, but whoever heard of a racing snail outside of The Neverending Story? While the concept that a snail could race in the Indianapolis 500 may seem a bit far-fetched to many of you out there, I’ve been excited about DreamWorks Animation’s latest feature Turbo for well over a year now.

While there are certainly many things peppered throughout the film that only an IndyCar racing fan could appreciate, I think the main driving point is something that is a really beautiful insight for any child to learn, as well as all of us much older, but not always wiser, adults. The main thing to take away from Turbo is that “no dream is too big and no dreamer is too small.”

When we’re children, we’re taught to always look on the bright side of life and that we’re capable of accomplishing anything we set our minds to. The world is yours and you’re encouraged to dream as big as you think the world must be. No dream is impossible or beyond your grasp! If you want the moon, you’re made to think you can literally reach out and grab it. Or maybe that’s how I felt as a kid. After all, I did want to be an astronaut when I grew up.

But somewhere along the time of early adulthood, it feels like you’re considered impractical if you continue to dream too big. You’re thought of as flakey or goofy or someone who remains a kid at heart and this is somewhat frowned upon by most of society. Why is it that it’s acceptable to have big dreams when you’re not as able to go out and actually see your hard work and potential pay off? I don’t know if it’s because I’m in an extremely transitional period of my life right now or if I’m just tired of being made to feel as if my dreams are too outlandish, but I found Turbo very inspirational.

Turbo is the story of a garden snail whose biggest desire is to race in and win the Indianapolis 500. It really doesn’t get as impossible or unlikely as that, does it? The Indy 500 is 200 laps around a 2.5 mile oval racetrack – that’s grueling enough for any driver inside a car to tackle, but can you imagine what it’d be like for a tiny little snail?

For those who’ve ever had something they wanted so badly and thought maybe it was always going to be just outside of their reach, Turbo provides some much-needed comfort. When that little guy discovered he had super powers given to him as the result of a freak accident rendering him as fast as a race car, I found myself rooting uncontrollably for the underdog. All he needed was someone to believe in him, and he found that in perhaps also the unlikeliest of places. For it took a humble taco restaurant owner named Tito to discover his talent, decide to take a chance on him against all odds and help him make his dream become a reality.

Turbo features a very talented all-star cast, with Ryan Reynolds in the lead role, supported by the likes of Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Luis Guzman, Ken Jeong, Michael Pena and Michelle Rodriguez. The characters are all endearing in their own unique ways. From Whiplash’s trash talk that doesn’t always make sense to the White Shadow who’s “fast like a shadow” to Snoop Dogg’s fuzzy dice-wearing Smoove Move to Turbo’s overly-cautious brother Chet to the egotistical Guy Gagne who apparently thinks he’s God’s gift to the sport of motor racing, I’d be hard-pressed to determine a favorite.

The other thing that really impressed me about this movie is the fact that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway really comes alive in spectacular 3D splendor. Every twist and turn down to the finish line, checkered flags, the actual announcers who cover the race on television every year and the infamous Pagoda are represented in colorful detail. I literally had goose bumps the first time Turbo witnessed the Gasoline Alley sign, for I knew he was realizing the biggest dream of his life and I couldn’t imagine what that must have felt like, for I’m still trying to figure out what mine is. Maybe I’m still looking for a Tito to help me realize my potential. Aren’t we all?

Even if you’re not a big fan of motor racing, you can’t deny that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a truly special place where some of the biggest dreams come true and inspirational legends are born from some of the humblest of beginnings. It was so refreshing to see it all from a new animated perspective and I would highly recommend this movie to all the dreamers out there, young and old. Whoa, that snail is fast and this movie left me wanting more!