★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ For Adults
★★★★★★★★☆☆ For Kids
This isn't the easiest review to write, because I've always felt that the first Cars movie was the bottom of the barrel for Pixar.   I just couldn't get into the world, or even really the characters.   In a way, the world creeps me out.  So when watching Cars 2, I had to check my brain at the door, and just watch the show, and not try to figure out if the machines killed all of the people, or why the cars need gas, but eat and drink, then I started to remember a phrase from the intro of my favorite TV show.  "Just repeat to yourself its just a show, I should really just relax."

  After settling in, (at a drive-in no less! that was exciting)  things start to kick into gear with McQueen getting involved in a 3 city "World Grand Prix" set in Japan, Italy, and London. The foil for McQueen is Francesco Bernoulli, (voiced by JohTurtturro ) the Italian racing champion, an open wheel "Indy" style car that thinks there is no way that McQueen can beat him, and the banter between the 2 is fantastic.  Mater is reluctantly taken to Japan since he doesn't get to go to any races back home.

  Mater(Larry the Cable Guy) is really the star of this film, with McQueen (Owen Wilson) really taking a back seat.  Mater is mistaken for an American Superspy by Finn McMissile and Holly Shiftwell, voiced by Michael Caine, and Emily Mortimer.   From this point on the film gives nods to every spy franchise you can think of, from Bond to Bourne.  Holly Shiftwell, your typical 'office' agent wanting to be a 'field' agent fills her role prefectly in getting Mater to work with them.  Mater of course tags along thinking that she want's a date.

  Mater begins to learn that the world sees him as a buffon, (with McMissile and Shiftwell thinking that it's part of his spy cover) and he has to come to terms with that. And to me the real theme of the movie was to be yourself, and if others can't accept you for what you are, then they have  the problem, not you.

  The cityscapes of London, Tokyo, and Coastal Italy are breathtaking, and the races are animated beautifully. 

  All of the kids at the drive in seemed to love this one, and I'll admit I liked it too.  To me it's a giant step forward from CARS, but it doesn't have the emotion, and tugs of the heartstrings like UP! 


  Who will like this film?  Kids and adults alike will enjoy this, although the kids will like it a lot more.   For adults it will drag a little at the start, because before you meet any of the character you know, it sets up the 'spy' part of the film with Michael Caine's character. 

  One thing I was asked about, is if this is kid friendly.  While mater goes though a hard time, when he sees how the rest of the world sees him, its really taken care of with McQueen's words back to him, and how Mater is seen at the end of the movie.  The kids in my showing loved it, and I think it is fine for children.

  I will give this 2 ratings.  Adults  6/10  Kids 8.0/10

Labels: 2011, New Release