Thursday, June 23, 2011

CARS 2 (B)

Starring the voices of: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, John Turturro, Emily Mortimer and Michael Caine

Directed by: John Lasseter and Brad Lewis (CARS, TOY STORY1 & 2 and A BUG’S LIFE)
Rated: G
Story: Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in "Cars 2" when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors. (Disney, Pixar)

Bottom Line: Forgoing message for spectacle, CARS 2 puts the pedal to the metal and delivers a high-octane action flick that, while fun to look at, lacks the creative spark and inspiration that made movies like UP, RATATOUILLE, WALL-E and even TOY STORY 3 shine. While not Pixar’s greatest effort it still remains an expertly crafted, beautifully designed and nimbly written ode to the world of James Bondian-like spies. It’s a fun, frantic and fast-paced joy ride for all ages. Kick the tires, check under the hood – she doesn't handle like a champ - but she sure ain't no lemon.

2 comments:

Iroczlover said...

Watching the movie today with my kids & my husband (my two kids are 12 &16) we had fun. It was GREAT, even more so when the whole theater started singing the state farm theme song for our agent that bought us the tickets. Worth the money we didnt spend on it, even more so it was good fun for the whole family.


Movies are not for the you guys, the are for those who go & love them.

BRTaibl said...

Thanks, Iroczlover! Not sure what you were trying to say in the last part of your email there... I really enjoyed CARS 2 (as did my whole family) but was hoping for a little more since Pixar sets their standards so high.

I think movies are actually for any one who enjoys the experience of going to the movies. Not all of them are gonna be great (some can be downright awful), but I always enjoy the rolling of the dice. If I loved every movie I went to I'd be an awful and unemployed critic...as well as a boring human being...and would no longer afford to live this lavish lifestyle.