Cars 2

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Cars 2.

Directed by John Lasseter & Brad Lewis.

Written by Ben Queen.

Screen Story by John Lasseter, Brad Lewis & Dan Fogelman

Review #127

MPAA Rating: G For general audiences.


Runtime: 106 min

Cast

Larry the Cable Guy - Mater

Owen Wilson - Lightning McQueen

Michael Caine - Finn McMissile

Emily Mortimer - Holley Shiftwell

Eddie Izzard - Sir Miles Axlerod

John Turturro - Francesco Bernoulli

Joe Mantegna - Grem


Plot 


Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

Cartoons have come a long way haven't they? In doing some research for this review I stumbled on the budget for this film. I was amazed at how much it cost to make this movie. Care to guess how much it was? I'll give you a hint. If I told you it was the budget for Transformers: Dark of the Moon you wouldn't be surprised.

$200,000,000.

Your eyes do not deceive you. Two Hundred Million dollars. And that's an estimate. I had to let that number sink in for a bit and I came to the realization that as astronomical that number may seem for an animated film. The way these films are presented with their unreal animation, lifelike detail, high definition transfer and of course the always awful 3D. The numbers add up.

So the question to ask is....Is Cars 2 worth every penny it cost to make? My answer is No.

But before you freak out on me let me explain myself.

I was not a big fan of Cars so when the sequel was announced I wondered why. I realize that I am in a minority here but Cars reminded me of a weaker version of Toy Story. The world the cars lived in was cool but the story and the characters just didn't do it for me. For Cars 2 they went a different way but showcasing the film around the real name of the franchise.

Mater.

His character is arguably the best in the series thanks to his design and redneck voice provided by Larry the Cable Guy. Putting him at the center of this picture was a pretty cool and funny idea. The problem though is that the film loses it's heart when the cars leave Radiator Springs for the World Grand Prix races. The tone of the film completely changes from a heart warming friends story to an action adventure story that tries to deliver a heartwarming message. The mixture didn't jive for me.

I know it sounds like I hated this movie. I didn't. I was entertained all the way through. The animation was superb and the detail of the environments were stunning. The voice action was also well done but that's what you'd expect from a Pixar film anyway. I just couldn't get on board fully like I have with the other Pixar creations. Cars wasn't my cup of tea and this new film stripped away a lot of the charm it initially had and replaced it with action and adventure.

On the 5 star scale. Cars 2 gets 4 stars. With a "Go See It!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. I'm not sure what's next on the menu for me. I do however know what's NOT next. I'm sure you all can figure out what I'm talking about.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"