I wasn't sure about Cars 2 when I first heard it was being made, but I still wanted to see it. I went Friday on opening day like I have for the last several Pixar movies.
I really enjoyed the movie and think it is fun and entertaining. I do think there are a few issues, but it is still well done and a good movie overall. The plot could be a little complicated for younger children and they may not get the spy stuff, but I think it works. The mission the spy cars are working on ends up connected to the series of races that Lightning is competing in. This one is more of just a fun, adventure type movie. The story has a few moments with some emotion in them, but the story doesn't have the same strong emotional core previous Pixar movies have had and that is a bit disappointing. I think the story works, but it could have been stronger. The movie isn't quite as good as previous Pixar movies. Despite that, it is still entertaining and worth seeing. A movie from Pixar with these issues is still better than what most of the other studios are making for animated movies.
The animation is amazing and the different locations used for the movie look great. There is a bit more action to what is going on in this one. One or two things happen that might bother or upset younger children, but things aren't that graphic. The most disturbing things aren't shown..instead other characters are shown reacting to those things.
Most of the characters from the first movie are back, though most of them end up with very little to do. It would have been nice if those characters had more to do. Mater is more of a main character this time and he ends up with the most to do. He ends up in some interesting situations that sometimes cause tension in his friendship with Lightning. Since Mater is featured more this time, people that don't like him probably won't be happy. There are some new characters that are interesting. The two British spies, Finn and Holly, end up with the most to do of the new characters. The voice cast does a good job with their characters.
Before the movie is a really cute, entertaining short, Hawaiian Vacation with the Toy Story characters.
I've seen some of the negative things being said about this movie by critics. It almost seems like some of them went in to seeing the movie already decided it would be crap and were just looking for stuff to complain about. It is sort of like some people have decided that since this one isn't better than Toy Story 3, then it's crap. Yes Pixar has made movies that are better, but this one is still pretty darn good.
For me, the movie is somewhere between 4.5 and 5 stars...maybe around 4.7 or 4.8. Since I didn't have that as a rating option at Epinions, I rounded up to 5.
I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to take a look.
Cars 2
