Cars 2 (2011)

Think of it as Hangover 2 for kids. I don’t mean you have transvestites and bad culture references, but it is like the original, only bigger, yet not as good.
Gone is the story of Lightning McQueen who is humbled by a small lost American village. Instead the main focus is on the rather annoying secondary character, Tow Mater. The first movie followed the change of McQueen; here we see how Mater’s not actually an idiotic rusty Chevy.
As with all good sequel, there are more guns, more explosions, and more characters. The story has all the elements of the recent Bond movie, Quantum of Solace (Italy, explosions, guns, the environment and a sort of romance), yet is adapted for car enthusiasts and children. Many people (over-protective parents?) have criticised Cars 2 for being too scary and violent compared to old Pixar movies. Really? Have they seen the original Toy Story????? I still get nightmares from the creepy crab-like mutant doll! And if you count Disney as well, who can forget The Lion King? The uncle killing the father in front of the sun? If that is not cruel and twisted, what is?
Back to Cars 2, though. I am a HUGE fan of the original. I love cars, and I love Pixar, so a movie bringing the two elements together was always going to be in my top ten. Even though the sequel is not as good, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. As a car fan, it is pure heaven. The amount of details given to the car world, and the car-geek references had me loving every moment of it! (“A Pacer! I haven’t seen one of those in years!”) The amount of detail put into designing this car world is simply stunning. You can see that this movie was made by genuine car enthusiasts.
Regarding the plot itself, it is a bit basic, and indeed is maybe not as good as some of Pixar’s earlier work. Tow Mater is confused for a secret agent, and joins an attempt to save the world from a bunch of car lemons (ie badly made cars no one cares about) who want to destroy the success of bio ethanol fuels. Basic you see? And in the background, McQueen joins in a world Grand Prix.
If you do not like cars, I can totally understand why you would not like it. That does not mean you are right though.
For me, I loved it, and if like me you enjoy both cars and Pixar, go see it!

4/5

Loved: Car World, Good Entertainment, Visually Impressive, Pretty Funny
Hated: Plot is not that good. Soundtrack either.