On the Road Again

CARS 2 (2011)

Pixar has made the best animated films since 1995. Forget, animated films, this studio is responsible for some of the best films of the past decade, period. All 11 films have been box office and critical successes. But when the track record is such, there are bound to be some rotten eggs in the basket. It’s as if everyone was waiting for one. Although, I do not believe Cars 2 is the rotten egg. Not at all.

In my opinion, what is working against the Cars movies is expectations. Expectations of being a Pixar film AND a John Lasseter film. John Lasseter is behind Toy Story. Surely, everyone wanted him to do better. With Cars (2006), he did make a good movie. That year everyone raved about Happy Feet (2006), but I thought it was a terrible film (and I don’t say that is a rare occasion for animated movies). Now, Cars 2 seems like the best chance of everyone singling out the one film that they believe would be the anomaly in the Pixar cannon.

 

Is it? I don’t think it is. It is a perfectly good movie. Entertaining, touching and funny. The only thing it is not and I admit it is not, is original. Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), Ratatouille (2007), Wall-E (2008), Up (2009), A Bug’s Life (1998) and Toy Story Trilogy (1995/99/2010) are all laden with originality. We got to see some things we have never seen or felt before. Actually, I have to pick one I would say The Incredibles (2004) was the only Pixar film which disappointed me. I loved Cars (2006), it was old wine in a new bottle. Not anything mind-bogglingly original but heartfelt, exciting and fun.

The story this time shifts to the “cars” and not just Lightning McQueen which is great. It is Mater’s story this time. Mater’s movie is a great mix of OSS 117/ Pink Panther/ James Bond spy movies. The setting shifts from Radiator Springs to Japan, Italy, France and Britain. Oil and alternative energy become concerns. Three new great characters are introduced – Finn McMissile, Holly Shiftwell and Francesco Bernoulli. It only makes sense that McMissile is inspired by Bond’s Aston Martin and voiced by Michael Caine. It just fits. Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) is Mater’s love interest. Francesco Bernoulli (John Turtorro) is hilarious as the Italian F1 car who watches one of McQueen’s races if he wants to go to sleep. 

This film is not the most original one out there but it is a new experience. I was laughing throughout. It was charming, nostalgic, and fun. If Mater’s concept of keeping the “dents”, doesn’t pluck your heartstrings, I don’t know what will.

Rating: **** out of *****