CARS 2 Review (Minor Spoilers)

Another damn sequel

THE MOVIE: CRITIC’S TAKE“Mommy can we see that? Please please pleaseeeeeeeee Mommy! I’ll learn how to potty this week I promise.” Is probably what all parents were hearing for months at end when a cars sequel was announced. “Great… another 50 dollar night for the whole family. This movie better be good.” Is probably what parents are mumbling to themselves. Well the good news is that yes this movie is great for your little children but surprisingly decent for the parents as well. A lot more action in this film than I realized and I think some of you may be taken back by its detail. A must see for all in the family, unlike the first one.

STORY

It opens up like a James Bond movie when Finn, played by Michael Caine, is on a secret mission to stop a group of bad guys called the LEMONS. It turns out that this group is messing with the oil rigs and her majesty is not having it. Guns are drawn and a battle ensues but the witty Finn was able to escape their crutches. Unfortunately this leads him to join a race called the World Grand Prix Race. He believes that Sir Miles, played by Eddie Lizard, is the one behind the oil rig scheme. He had no clue that there was an American agent hot on the trail too. The agent best known as Mater, played by Larry The Cable Guy, is left scratching his head. All he wanted to do was race.

Adventure

Mater was able to convince Lightening Mcqueen, played by Owen Wilson, to join him in the race. They quickly bump heads with Formula 1 champ Francesco, played by John Tuturro. Due to their hot moves Finn mistakenly spots them as secret agents. Finn believes that this race series is rigged and that the lemons are plotting to take over. It seems that his intuitions are right because the ugliest cars you’ve ever seen are kidnapping car heroes and causing wrecks all over the country. This gets the two friends to think twice about their endeavors.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Finn needs their help to rid the lemons from the races and to see if Sir Miles is the one behind it all. Mater and Lightening has a lot of growing up to do before they can help anyone with anything, let alone a secret mission. Can these two get their act together or will Finn have to do it himself? Will the lemons win and take what’s owed to them? Hurry to the theaters… your kids want to learn the answers.

ACTING

I have no complaints about the acting here. The chemistry is there and everyone seemed to be right on target. I liked John’s accent in the film and it brought some humor to the sequel. Eddie played his role very well and Larry is funny as usually. The humor between the actors keeps the movie going and it doesn’t let you down.

Where are we?

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects here are crisp and in detail. The colors are bright and eye popping. I loved how they were able to make a family film into an action film and still keep the family elements. I wasn’t expecting that but they were able to pull it off. This is what the Fast and Furious would look like if it was made into a family film, with a lot more money attached. The best animated film since Rango.

Take that

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by Ben Queen and directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. Ben did a good job with this screenplay. The dialog is funny and the story flowed with ease. The directing exceeded my expectations and was impressed with each shot. Not once did I fall asleep or nod off. It’s a great all around film from beginning to end.

THE END

Obey the children and take them to see it. It’s not a waste of your hard earn money and I think you will enjoy it yourself. It’s way better than the first film and it has enough twists and turns to keep you invested. It’s not just a kid’s movie anymore. It’s a movie for us all!

OVERALL
STORY 7 out of 10
ACTING 7 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 8 out of 10
WRITING 7 out of 10
DIRECTING 8 out of 10
TOTAL 7 out of 10 (MUST SEE FAMILY FILM)