Cars 2 (2011)

 

Pixar Studios / Walt Disney Pictures
Theatrical Release: June 24, 2011
Home Release:  November 11, 2011
Directed by John Lasseter
Rated G

Review by Adam Bielawski

Some of the coolest online pushes by Disney today is the packaging of their movies, especially for the kids.  With the Blu-ray combo pack for "Cars 2" you receive the 3D, Blu-Ray, Digital download and also online access through the Disney Movie Rewards.  When you purchase a Disney movie you get a code, don't let it go to waste, head to the web site and enter your code. The Disney Movie Rewards program allows to have your own online library to watch movies on any Internet ready devise.  All you folks who love the movie "Cars 2" will have it available online with the purchase of the combo pack. There are some negatives to the download; it just does not stream very well, unlike Amazon or Netflix videos.  I am sure this will improve, but right now it's a bit clunky because I am used to other services. It is kind of like watching a movie on YouTube or Hulu with a portable device

In my humble opinion there is nothing bad that can be said of Cars 2… nothing.  The movie is great. The new release has espionage, spies, world travel, and friendship.  Plus the animation is out of this world.  The Pixar Studio since the beginning (thanks Steve Jobs) has been putting out the best animations to date.  Disney is very lucky to have acquired them.

I love a good spy movie and this is how this animation ala James Bond features starts….  Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) boards an oil platform in the high seas to observe the bad guys, in our movie a bunch of lemon cars, such as the Pacer and Gremlin are part of an evil organization. McMissiles assignment is to gather intelligence photography. He photographs a open crate containing a film camera, how strange he thinks. We later learn that this camera sets off this new fuel. But during his covert Intel work McMissiles is spotted by Professor Zundapp (Thomas Kretschamann). McMissiles makes a daring escape as most super spies do, nothing short of James Bond, and is presumed dead by the lemons and Zundapp.

We then are taken back to home to Radiator Springs where Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) can't wait for his best friend Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) hang out and do the things since he's been gone.  During a telecast by a former oil tycoon, Miles Axlerod (Eddie Izzard), announces the "World Grand Prix" fueled by his new echo friendly fuel called Allinol. However one racer is not participating until an Italian Formula race car Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro) challenges McQueen (this plot kind of reminds me of the movie Talladega Nights). Mater quickly jumps on the phone to support his friend McQueen is the fastest car in the game.  But when Bernoulli insults Mater and McQueen the challenge is accepted.

The two friends and McQueen's pit crew fly for the first race in Japan. During the reception Mater embarrasses McQueen in front of his race car colleagues. (But was it really Mater?) During their stay in Japan, Mater meets an American spy who passes microfilm unknown to Mater. The American spy is then captured by the lemons but it's all good because now Mater holds the secrets. This is how Mater and the Intel community come together. The British spies McMissile and his assistant Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) believe Mater is this American spy and try to communicate with him. When Shiftwell encounters Mater for the first time he falls in love. So our spy story continues.

The other story going on is McQueen and the first race of the World Grand Prix. On race day Mater is contacted by Shiftwell who instructs him to leave the pit immediately when she observes the lemons swarming to capture Mater. Mater thinks she wants to meet with Holley, his new girlfriend. Holley Shiftwell is leading Mater via radio to safety but the radio is on the same frequency with McQueen. During communication with Holly, Mater says, "go to the outside" which McQueen interprets was for him and causes McQueen to loose the race to Bernoulli. McQueen is upset with Mater and does not want him in the pit crew.  Now the friendship bond comes into play.  McQueen learns by the end of the movie that he should let his best friend be who he is… and do not change him. Mater and McQueen come back together as best friends… and by the way, Mater saves the world, gets a super upgrade and has a new girlfriend by the name of Holly Shiftwell.

Read more about the film below....

 

The #1 Animated Film of the Year Races Home! Hits The Streets November 1, 2011 On Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D^™, DVD and Movie Download

Film Synopsis:
Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car.  But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.  Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell.  Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world.  The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

Features Exclusive All-New Pixar Animated Short “Air Mater” “Hawaiian Vacation” Animated Short and Hours More Exciting Bonus Features Take Audiences on a “World Tour” with the Artists and Filmmakers

Disney•Pixar’s fast-action summer hit “Cars 2” comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, Movie Download and DVD -- November 1, 2011.  Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Pixar Animation Studios, the high octane in-home release invites families and fans of all ages to come along on a journey around the world with the #1 animated film of the year and introduces an exclusive all-new animated short “Air Mater,” featuring the fan favorite character spinning his tales in an exciting adventure high above Radiator Springs.  The must-own animated release also includes fascinating commentary from award-winning director John Lasseter and “Hawaiian Vacation,” the delightful animated short that accompanied the film in theatres.

The immersive “Cars 2” bonus features include an one-of-a-kind interactive “World Tour” map that takes viewers through nine different locations, including those featured in the film and more.  A global thrill-ride, it allows viewers to go behind-the-scenes with the Pixar artists and filmmakers as they circle the globe finding inspiration for the most international of all Pixar films to date.  “Cars 2” is also the first Pixar film to be released in spectacular Blu-ray 3D.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, returns to the driver’s seat as director. “Cars 2” is produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, “Up”; visual effects executive producer, “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith”).  Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Up”) provides the electrifying score with a surf-rock-meets-spy-thriller flavor and a variety of global accents, evoking a sense of thrills, mystery and emotion. Brad Paisley, Robbie Williams, Weezer, French singer Bénabar and Japanese girl band Perfume lend their diverse musical talents to the film’s soundtrack.

The film features an all-star vocal cast including Owen Wilson who reprises his role as hotshot racecar Lightning McQueen.  Larry the Cable Guy provides the voice of Mater (proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage), Lightning McQueen’s best friend and the heart and soul of Radiator Springs.  Bonnie Hunt is back as Sally, the baby-blue Porsche 911 Carrera whose motor races for Lightning.  Acclaimed actor Michael Caine makes his Pixar debut as Finn McMissile, a top British spy who mistakes Mater for an undercover American agent with a genius disguise.  Emily Mortimer brings charm, cleverness and cachet as Holley Shiftwell, a rookie field spy who knows every trick in the manual.  Versatile actor John Turturro gives a free-wheeling performance as Francesco Bernoulli, the world-renowned Italian racing champ who is Lightning’s chief rival. Tony Shalhoub, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Jason Isaacs, Eddie Izzard, Paul Dooley, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave also lend their vocal talents.  Real-life Formula 1 racing champ Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon add a touch of authenticity with their cameos in the film.