Don't believe the critics.. DaddyB and Chris give Cars 2 Two Thumbs up!

[Chris Lang]

On Rottentomatoes.com, Cars 2 is currently sitting at 34%. Really? It's THAT bad? That score is reserved for the worst of the worst, right? It's getting hammered by the critics, but in my opinion, they are judging it on a scale where it simply doesn't belong. Cars 2 isn't 'Up' or 'Toy Story 3' in terms of emotional impact, but it's a fun movie for kids, especially young boys. Does it soar to the same heights as 'Wall-E'? No, of course it doesn't - it's not that kind of movie. It's a movie about a world populated by cars, with a bit of spy movie, racing and lots of explosions. Just because it doesn't kick you in the gut like 'Up' or has the charm of 'Ratatouille', doesn't make it a bad movie. Critics have associated (pigeonholed) Pixar with a certain brand of familiarity and when that formula is somehow changed up, it's automatically the death knell for a studio that has had 11 critical and commercial successes.




Nothing about the production screams "they went cheap on this one'. The attention to detail is mind boggling, and the textures, reflections and sheer wizardly involved in creating these photorealistic worlds is something you can only truly appreciate on the big screen.

When I saw the early reviews coming in, I was disheartened by what I read. I was further mystified at DaddyB's review which seemed in opposition to these reviews. Had DaddyB lost his mind? Had he been somehow suckered by the swag, free tickets and previous Mermaid/Star Tours/Pirates event that he felt Disney could do no wrong? Absolutely not.

Last night I saw Cars 2 at the local multiplex. I opted for a non-3D experience because I often find it distracting and wanted to enjoy the film on it's own merits without later missing the 3D effects when I watched the film at home. My daughter, 11, a big fan of the original, accompanied me.

The 'Hawaiian Vacation" short before the film is just wonderful - it's a nice closing to Toy Story 3 seeing the toys in their new world, which opens up all kinds of implications for another Toy Story film - they could easily keep the franchise going forever.

Cars 2 takes the animation of the first film to an entirely new level. Nobody would say "they went cheap" on the animation for this film. I saw this film in digital projection. The textures, attention to detail and the inventiveness of the animation is mind boggling and it will take repeat viewings to catch it all. This film is practically a primer for your blu-ray home theater system - the images are crisp and the movement is smooth. Complex action sequences are easy to follow and it's fun to catch the reflection of background elements on all of those hoods and bumpers. I was impressed with the greater complexity of the mouth movements, especially on Mater where it looks eerily lifelike and organic.

The plot has been covered in many reviews, but the plot (and story, believe it or not) are secondary here. You're here to have a good time with characters you're already familiar with. The original Cars was a nice introduction to these characters - that story didn't need to be told again and the sequel takes no time to get things moving, but still takes opportunities, almost on a subliminal level, to pull on your emotions.

There's a scene when Mater has an "accident" and leaks oil at an embarrassing moment. What would be a throw-away moment in any other film has resonance because there's a moment when you realize Mater isn't simpleminded because he's a tow truck - or because he grew up in a tiny town - Mater actually would be considered somebody with a disability and it's heart-wrenching to see the shame and disappointment in his eyes. Anyone who has been around children with special needs will be affected.

It's those moments that make Cars 2 a Pixar film and definitely not worthy of the negativity it's been getting. Go see it. It'll put a smile on your face and your kids will love it.

[DaddyB]

Great review, Chris.

and the jury's still debating on the "lost his mind" thing.

[monkey4057]

Just saw the film. I went with the critics' views and the views here on VF in mind.

Who do I agree with?


VF.

[Striker81]

Good review, Chris. I saw it Friday and enjoyed it. I thought it was a decent movie. I agree it shouldn't be bashed just because it's not Toy Story 3 or Up. You want to see those movies, hey that's what Netflix is for, right? I actually enjoyed the spy story. They needed something to separate it from the first Cars (a movie in which your action was confined to racing) and it worked well. All in all, if you liked the first Cars, chances are you'll enjoy this one.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to create a MMORPG character named Rexing Ball.

[tony]

Yeah why are there no toy story land or upland? haha

[PeoplemoverMatt]

I hardly ever pay attention to critics & base my desire to go see a flick based on my foreknowledge of the movie's content.

Seems to me like the critics now expect EVERY Pixar flick to be Best Picture Nominee worthy, or close to it. Looks like Cars 2 may have missed that boat, but was still a very enjoyable flick to see. The critics won't care about that, though. They'll just see a potientially broken streak and make the headlines all about that. If it bleeds, it leads, as you know.

[futureimagineer]

Good review, Chris. I saw it Friday and enjoyed it. I thought it was a decent movie. I agree it shouldn't be bashed just because it's not Toy Story 3 or Up. You want to see those movies, hey that's what Netflix is for, right? I actually enjoyed the spy story. They needed something to separate it from the first Cars (a movie in which your action was confined to racing) and it worked well. All in all, if you liked the first Cars, chances are you'll enjoy this one.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to create a MMORPG character named Rexing Ball.

Pixar films aren't on netflix

[evawms123]

Critics must remember that we, the audience that see the movies, can't have the same formula used over and over again, it can be annoying at times.
When getting to the part with Mater's scene in Chris's review here, I actually realized that the "accident" is actually parallel to real-life disabilities human beings have. Being someone with a mild case of autism, I can relate with that a bit.

Looks like I'll have to see it for myself if it's worth it :\

[bluedevilinaz]

Pixar films aren't on netflix

Actually they are. Toy Story 3 is on Netflix instant.

[Striker81]

Pixar films aren't on netflix

Whatever. The point I was trying to make is if you want to see a movie like Toy Story 3 or Up, you should probably see Toy Story 3 or Up, in whatever capacity you can, instead of expecting every upcoming Pixar film to be like them. It's probably apparent now I don't have Netflix.

[Big Disney Fan]

I just came home from seeing the movie, and I thought it was wonderful. I can't even decide which one I like better, this one or the first one.

[Disney_Guy]

I ended up seeing Cars 2 twice, one time in 2D and one time in 3D. The 3D really didn't add much to the film whatsoever, so if you have still yet to see it, I recommend going for the 2D version.

I thought Cars 2 was fantastic both times I saw it. Cars 2, more so than any other Pixar film to date, behaves like a cartoon. The movie is silly and is no more violent than a Saturday morning full of Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes.
Cars 2 is a mostly plot-driven film. This might catch some viewers off-guard, because most of us are used to Pixar movies to be driven on our emotional connections with the characters and/or story, and here is Cars 2 that lacks that aspect. Not to say Cars 2 lacks any emotion - there's a point in the movie where Mater "discovers" who he is, and I think that will make some people feel bad for him. I found the plot to Cars 2 to be quite fascinating. Anyone who says the film is light on story might have missed themes of consumerism and company sabotage, and how these themes developed as the movie went on. On the surface Cars 2 may be a spy flick, but if you dig deeper into the storyline, especially on the villain side, the film is pretty deep. I think this goes to show Pixar has NOT lost their touch at storytelling, it's just they've switched focuses this time around with making a more entertaining plot than one that's going to make people cry. Overall I loved Cars 2 and it's far from a bad film. Pixar has yet to let me down. Here's hoping their next film will continue making whatever makes a Pixar film awesome.

Speaking of... Who here got the teaser trailer Pixar's next film attached to Cars 2? If you did not get the trailer, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=tYg0VgPy6Uk
to me this film looks very different from what we're used to seeing from Pixar. Even from teaser trailer standards, their teasers have always been silly and quirky. This teaser trailer on the other hand, none of that. This makes me wonder if "Brave" will be a comedic film, or if it will be the first Pixar film that's dark and gritty without the humor... That's an early, broad and premature speculation, but this teaser trailer really has my mind wandering off into the realm of what exactly Pixar will do next.

[Striker81]

Thanks for providing the teaser, Disney_Guy. Our theater didn't have that, instead opting for Winnie the Pooh, and when I went home I couldn't find it anywhere. It certainly looks different from the rest of their work, but as you said, Pixar hasn't made a film I haven't enjoyed yet.

[Disneyland_DHI]

According to a good friend of mine, there are Dreamworks films with better critic ratings than C2 on Rotten Tomatoes.

Something else critics fail to realize is that it's Mater's tale, not Lightning's. On the toy blister packs, Mater is listed first, Lightning is third. On the credits, Mater was first once more. And even more? LIGHTNING IS STILL A VERY HEAVY PART OF THE MOVIE! It doesn't touch TS3 or Up, but it's still an enjoyable summer movie you should take your family and friends out to. And even as it doesn't touch Wall-E or Ratatouille, it's definitely a notch up from the first movie.

The critics are probably just taking the Armond White route and bashing to ruin Pixar's streak, but as Disney Guy points out, Pixar has yet to ruin that streak.

[Wedbliss]

Movie critics are certainly out of touch with today's audiences. Are they really that much more evolved than the ticket buying public? Really?

Cars 2, Pirates 4, Hangover 2 and Transformers 3 all having Rotten Tomatoes ratings of under 45%. Yet they are all attracting audiences and making money. Could it be that what all these films have in common is a number after the title? It's official: critics don't like sequels.

I have a hard time believing the incredibly vitriolic language the critics are using in Cars 2 reviews. It's like they are all combing their thesauruses looking for synonyms for "terrible". Cars 2 is evidently some kind of crime against the arts.

My favorite line was by critic Tony Macklin who writes that "Cars 2 runs on fumes----and some of them are pretty noxious." Yes, Cars 2 is noxious. Wow.

Another critic called Cars 2 a "sputtering galumph". I'm not sure what a galumph is, but I am pretty sure one that sputters is worse than one that doesn't sputter. When a galumph sputters you'd better run.

One critic said he found the story "confusing." It never "takes emotional hold". I am assuming that this critic was confused because he came to Cars 2 with some kind of preconception that Pixar only makes movies like Ratatouille, Wall E, Up and Toy Story 3. If they make a film which doesn't feature a man losing his wife or characters facing certain death then critics are confused. They think Pixar has strayed from it's pigeonhole and dared to make something primarily for fun. I guess fun is confusing to critics.