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I have to admit that while I liked "Cars," it wasn't my favorite Pixar movie. And with Hollywood's track record on sequels, I've wondered how "Cars 2" would fare. The good news -- it fares well. The creativity packed into the visuals of "Cars 2" will make up for an over-complicated story line that will baffle younger fans.
The creativity packed into the visuals of "Cars 2" will make up for an over-complicated story line.
When the egotistical Francesco (John Tuturro), a formula 1 champion, calls out Lightening McQueen on a sports talk show, good old Mater phones in and sets the stage for a grudge match to be played out on the International Gran Prix circuit. Add to this the fact that Sir Miles Axelrod, a world-renown sport utility adventurer, is sponsoring the races, promoting a new fuel that may or may not be all it's cracked up to be.
This is where the movie plot will start spinning out with the younger viewers. Script writers inject oil conspiracies and international espionage intrigues that draw Mater onto the radar screen of British Intelligence agents, Finn McMissile and Holly Shiftwell (voiced by Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer).
I loved the fact that the prime evil-doer (not to be named here) employs as his minions AMC Gremlins, Pacers and other downtrodden, bitter vehicles to spread his mayhem.
Again, this is not my favorite franchise of the Disney/Pixar efforts, but "Cars 2" is thoroughly entertaining with great visuals that cleverly capture cultural differences and weaves them into the adventures of our friends from Radiator Springs. Many of the great voices are back, including Larry the Cable Guy and Owen Wilson. Sorely missed is the weight and talent of Paul Newman as the vintage old Hudson.
I'm giving "Cars 2" 3 stars and it's rated G.
