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Pixar’s revved-up sequel of their 2006 hit film, Cars, is indeed a triumphant overhaul of a film that usually gets dismissed as the least favorite of their titles. It’s a shiny endeavor that results in the rarest of achievements in that it is actually much better than the original. Retooled and redesigned to place Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) in the backseat and let Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) do the driving, Cars 2 works in its change of location and its change of pace. While not as emotionally resounding as we’ve come to expect from the studio, Cars 2 is a breezy return to some old school Pixar charm and we are all the merrier for it.
Directed by John Lasseter, Cars 2 leaves the nostalgia-fueled Americana of the original and injects the narrative with a bit of spy-driven intrigue courtesy of the inclusion of the Bond-like spy Finn McMissile (voiced by Michael Caine) and his suave associate Holley Shiftwell (breathlessly voiced by Emily Mortimer) as they work with Mater – mistaking his dimwitted behavior as the disguise of their American contact – to defeat the gas-guzzling plans of Professor Z (Thomas Kretschmann) and his minions of cars deemed by the public as lemons.
The globe-trotting of spies and villains occur because Lightning has his own troubles on the racing track. Challenged to an Allinol-fueled race around the world by Francesco Bernoulli (wonderfully voiced by John Turturro), Lightning finds his faith in friendship shaken and challenged by Mater’s socially inept behavior and the alternative fuel creator Miles Axlerod (voiced by Eddie Izzard). Written by Lasseter, Brad Lewis, and Donald Fogelman, Cars 2 fires on all cylinders because – even when it softly kicks in the “be yourself or be damned” theme – it never loses it sharp sense of kid-friendly play.
With exciting (if not groundbreaking) visuals that absolutely explode with 3D vivaciousness, Cars 2 is a dynamic film to be immersed in. The world trip-hopping locations (Pairs, London, Italy, Tokyo, and Radiator Springs) are breathlessly recreated by this team of 3D animators and designers and – throughout the picture – nod to other Pixar classics (Hint: watch the backgrounds closely). The otherworldly designs of Tokyo and its pop culture are neon nuggets of heaven. Even Italian Riveria gets the Pixar makeover and it is certainly a savory experience of delectable delight.
For those audiences put off by Larry the Cable Guy’s dimmer-than-dumb vocals and attitude, the smoothness of new arrivals Mortimer and Caine will certainly balance out the “American Abroad” routine. The humor is a bit on the lowbrow side as this is Mater’s movie to dominate. While he never shakes his homegrown hangover of rural theatrics, there is a certain appeal to his nyuk-nyuk-nyuking about this time out. He never loses the familiar rust, though and the picture, focusing more on instamatic gags and boyish toiletries for its humor, seems a bit sillier.
With a scope that is much larger than the town limits of Radiator Springs and a heart that is somewhat smaller, Pixar reinvents that roadmap that was Cars and brings us a dynamic sequel that is a cool and fun ride. It’s isn’t nearly as smart as the streak they’ve been on, but the studio also doesn’t disappoint with a less-than inspired storyline. Every missel of criticism launched at Cars 2 for being more kid-centered by including the non-stop banterrific staples of a typical kid’s movie formula can be deflected by a simple wave of the hand because, even the crude material, Pixar handles with a sense of style and class.
There really is no competition in a race between the first film and its 2011 sequel. No neck-and-neck moments; no nail-biting at the finish lines. Cars 2, being breezier and more streamlined, is the clear winner.
MPAA Rating: G for general audiences.
