Review: Cars 2

Every now and then, I actually feel somewhat guilty for liking the film that I am reviewing. I know I shouldn't; we are each our own person and blah blah blah, but sometimes I second-guess myself while expressing love through words for such movies as Faster, The Tourist, and The Mechanic. Even while I am writing the reviews I can't help but think, "Even if you did hear the critic from The Independent laugh during the screening for Hall Pass, you know you're going to be the only one to give that flick anything better than a C-." Which brings us to Cars 2, in a roundabout meandering way. What to do with the newest animated film from the prestigious Pixar Studios at Disney, that is more or less headlined by Larry the Cable Guy?

First of all, for those of you who consider Cars to be the worst animated feature that Pixar has ever produced, I don't know what to tell ya. All of the characters (except for Doc Hudson, who died in the cartoon realm when his voice actor Paul Newman left this mortal coil) remain, but the second chapter of the Cars saga spends barely any time at all on Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and his racing exploits. No, Wilson is merely providing supporting work here for the true star of the show... the aforementioned LtCG, once again providing the voice of Mater the tow truck.

In Cars 2, Lightning has barely had time to rest after a long season of the fictional version of NASCAR when the news spreads that he has been invited to compete in an overseas racing competition called the World Grand Prix. Consisting of three races spanning three countries (Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom), it is financed by a wealthy British adventurer (voiced by Eddie Izzard) who is using the race to promote an alternative fuel he is manufacturing. Meanwhile, two British spies (Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer) are trying to figure out who is responsible for the deaths of several of their fellow spies (yes, cars actually die in this), and how various Pintos and Gremlins are involved.

As much as it hurts to admit this, LtCG does nicely in his role as Mater. Hell, it feels like he has 80% of the speaking lines, so if he sucked, it would have been excruciating. Hopefully no one takes his good work here and misinterprets that as proof of America needing another batch of LtCG films. Cars 2 also makes a strong case for Michael Caine as our most under-appreciated working actor today. Honestly, just his voice brings class to a movie.

 

While I actually enjoyed the first film, Cars 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor. From the opening scene, you can tell that the animators were willing to give this property the love and respect that they felt it deserved, and didn't view it as just another day at the office. Watching films like this makes it hurt that much more when the next Ice Age sequel hits the theaters a few months from now. A big recommendation for this one folks.

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