Cars 2

I'll admit I didn't have my hopes set too high for this one.  Most of the reviews and reaction I'd read about Cars 2 wasn't very positive.  Many claimed that it is Pixar's worst movie ever, by far! Well maybe they're right or maybe they just didn't get what they were expecting.  If you're expecting another WALL-E, Up or Toy Story the Third then you will definitely be disappointed.  If you're willing to give Pixar permission to take a break from its usual funny with a heavy dose of serious, sappy and heart cockle warming then you might quite enjoy Cars 2.

It all begins with yet another Pixar short before the feature begins.  This one is called Hawaiian Vacation and I think it is the best Pixar short ever, by far!  It stars the cast of Toy Story 3.  It alone is worth the price of admission.

Cars 2 is not your typical Pixar movie, that's for sure.  Many have complained that it doesn't have a heart or at least not one that is nearly rended before it is of course ultimately mended as they always are in Pixar's world.  And hey, don't get me wrong, you know I loves me some heart rending and mending but that doesn't mean that there isn't room for other stuff as well right?

What Cars 2 does have is Pixar's densely packed humour of both the obvious and the more subtle varieties.  Also, in exchange for a lack of sap we are provided with a near James Bond style atmosphere and some great action sequences.  If you realize early on and then can get over the fact that you probably won't have a chance to even split open that cute little pocket pack of Kleenex that you packed in specially 'cause it's Pixar, you might just enjoy Cars 2 for what it is.

A couple of things that I particularily liked in Cars 2.  Remember in the first Cars movie there was that Tom Cochrane song "Life is a Highway" sung by Rascall Flats.  When I first realized that it wasn't the original I was disappointed to say the least.  However, I admit the new version grew on me and I ended up liking it as well.  Anyway, they did the same in Cars 2.  This time the song is "You Might Think" by who else, The Cars.  Of course, how perfect to have a Cars song in a Cars movie.  I could tell it wasn't the original  but had to wait until the credits rolled to see who did the cover.  Turns out it is Weezer, and they did a fine job I think.



One other thing I was particularily impressed with was the sounds of the race cars.  Cars 2 features a variety of race cars competing together.  Stock Cars, Formula 1 cars, rally cars and others.  They finally got the engine sounds right for a change and they don't just all sound the same.  It was refreshing that they took the time and made the effort to make things as authentic as possible for the different kinds of cars.

Is Cars 2 going to be one of your top 5 movies that you'd take with you to a desert isle.  Probably not.  Well maybe if there was a DVD player, TV and and a consistent supply of 110 volts then maybe... actually probably not even then.  What it is is a fun little movie.  It won't keep your two year old from running around the theater screaming while you text your BFF but I'm pretty sure that particular pair of parent and offspring won't be in your screening so you can relax and hopefully actually enjoy Pixar's WORST MOVIE EVER!  7/10