Cars 2

r96sk 6/23/2021 3:58:42 PM 8.4

I like <em>'Cars 2'</em>. It doesn't deserve to be held in the same bracket as 2006's <em>'Cars'</em>, but that doesn't mean there's not a good time to be had with it. The premise mixes motorsport with espionage, admittedly they don't execute it incredibly but it's still satisfactory to see unfold. One slight negative is that they give Mater more screen time than Lightning McQueen, which is a mistake. Larry the Cable Guy as Mater is enjoyable, just not front and center as the lead. They could've done a similar plot that has Owen Wilson and McQueen at the forefront. Elsewhere, Michael Caine (Finn) is always a joy to listen to; even if his character isn't anything special. The racing stuff is cool, with the World Grand Prix. The parts of the story involving strictly that are definitely more entertaining than the spy stuff, especially as we get to see a few different countries via animation - which come out nicely. All in all, a weaker film than the first for sure but it's still pretty solid for a Disney animated sequel.

Andre Gonzales 5/4/2023 1:09:15 PM 8.4

Not as God as the 1st just slightly though. I do think it's funnier then the 1st one. Diego just bothered the hell out of me for some reason.

CinemaSerf 12/6/2023 10:11:26 AM 8.4

You know, I think I preferred this to the original. This time, the eager young "Lightning McQueen" is goaded by Italian champ "Francesco" into taking part in the inaugural "World Grand Prix". This has been set up by reformed oil gazillionaire "Sir Miles" who insists that the cars must use environmentally friendly, oil-free, fuel to compete. Meantime, unbeknown to our shiny red American, the suave and debonaire "Finn McMissile" is doing his best "007" impersonation investigating a network of international espionage that would make "Spectre" look amateur. Together with his assistant "Miss Shiftwell" they soon conclude that their fate is mixed with not just "Lightning" but with poor old "Mater" - who takes pride in every dent he has acquired to his rusting bodywork over his time with his champion friend. There's loads going on, and unlike the first of this series - I found this to be a much more engaging story with a greater international dynamic to it. The Aston Martin and the Citroën, the Ferrari and the tow truck - all reinforcing the messages of team playing and loyalty as the mystery deepens and "Lightning" and "McMissile" have to race to save the trusty old rust-bucket from a fate worse than a magnetic crusher. I enjoyed this, it's quickly paced with some humour in a script that benefits from the understated delivery of Sir Michael Caine and the enthusiasm of Owen Wilson. Good fun!