Movie Review: Cars 2

The Disney Pixar connection in animation film brings on the big sports car race of the summer in CARS 2. In 2006, Pixar Animation Studios chose the feature film debut of CARS to celebrate its 20^th Anniversary and it acquisition by the Walt Disney Pictures. CARS 2 will be presented in Disney 3D, IMAX 3D and the traditional two-dimensional formats to audiences across the U.S.A. beginning June 24, 2011. It is no coincidence that CARS 2 shares the spotlight on another Pixar milestone, its 25^th Anniversary of animation creations. 

In CARS, a hotshot greenhorn sports car racer, Lightening McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) heads out west to participate in the big Piston Cup Championship in California. He is anxious to race in the big-time professional competition. He is confident he will be the next rookie champion. Oddly, Lightening McQueen gets side-tracked on the famous Highway Route 66 in the town of Radiator Springs. The detour is an enlightening stop-over and a life-altering adventure once McQueen heeds the advice from some of the towns’ eccentric characters, such as, Doc Hudson (voice of Paul Newman), Sally Carrera (voice of Bonnie Hunt) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), that a reality check is necessary to address his competitive spirit of racing.

The Disney Pixar sequel CARS 2 opens with a reunion in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs when Lightening McQueen makes a surprise appearance. He comes to town to ask his friend, Mater, to assist him in a competition that determines the world’s fastest sports car. The event is The World Grand Prix held in three different countries: Japan, Italy and England. McQueen knows he has a shot for the title but needs help from his friends. McQueen, Mater and their sleepy town pit crew take on the challenge to put McQueen to the test and embark on a new adventure around the world. The competition for The World Grand Prix is knowingly stiff which gives the team due concern. The events that surround each race are complicated. It takes the stress level for the American team to an all-time high, especially on the relationship between McQueen and Mater. In a case of stolen identity, Mater is innocently taken for a spy. Maters curiosity in the world of espionage undermines his focus to help his friend win the race of a life-time. McQueen and Mater are forced to depend on new friends or foe, such as, Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine), Francesco Bernoulli (voiced by John Turturro) and Holley Shiftwell (voiced by Emily Mortimer) to refocus and set priorities in perspective for the win. The Disney Pixar morality tale communicates the importance of friendship, faithfulness, commitment, and truth-telling told from a variety of animated cars with a personified human heart by each of their characters. Actress Bonnie Hunt (voice of Sally Carrera) says, “Their (John Lasseter and the artists at Pixar) imaginations go to the fantasies of the heart, and of life, and of our values. The heart and soul is what turns a steel car into a character and a person.” CARS 2, the Disney Pixar sequel worth the effort to make, will be remembered for its individuality, as well as, the hit film to celebrate Pixar Animation Studios 25th Anniversary in animation. Oh Happy Day!

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Movie release in theaters: June 24, 2011