Disney/Pixar Cars 2

Disney/ Pixar's Cars 2, wow…what a theatrical let down? Look, before I get started on why this film needed to have gone straight to video, I want to start by saying, “Rest in peace, Joe Ranft (3/13/1960-8/16/2005).” Joe Ranft’s creative contributions will surely be missed and it definitely shows in Cars 2 because Joe’s inner child and creative sense of humor lacks in this production. Joe Ranft was the creative backbone behind Pixar and his sprinkle of innocence that he added would push the envelope of charm that this animation giant once had, but one can get a sense of what it lacks from Cars 2. Even though, Larry the Cable Guy is the voice behind Tow Mater, Joe Ranft created this goofy character and there was a particular vision that was envisioned by Ranft.

Cars 2, directed and story by John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, and story by Ron Fogelman while Ben Queen wrote the script (your eyes do not deceive you, yes; it took three guys to create the story and one to turn it into a screenplay. I just love seeing my name in credits, don’t you?). That is a whole lot of brains colliding if you ask me, but they came together to force comedic scenes of slapstick humor as well as inspector Jacques Clouseau (Pink Panther) bungling while in a 007-esque espionage façade. Kudos, to that mouthful, let’s not forget the magical theme of friendship, so don’t change who you are to impress strangers; just be yourself (I know you’re feeling my sarcastic tone right about now, but it gets better). I like animation with a moral theme and good values, but I think they already had a full plate, and the narrative suffered a bit from it. What did you expect when they try to jam environmentalist themes down our gullets? We were fed plenty in Wall-E, UP, and Toy Story 3. Let the audience eat more with Cars 2…RALPH! I like the idea of having a clean environment, but this can all be done with PSAs (Public Service Announcements), and Disney/Pixar can lead the campaign to healthier you, anti-animal cruelty, toay donation, clean water, immaculate skies, recycled garbage, alternative fuels, and solar energy, but wait, free doesn’t pay the bills, so let’s cram it in a 112min. movie that way mom and dad are forced to see it, and the kids can say, “Look Ma and Pa, we have to do something about our environment.” Thank you Disney/Pixar as if I don’t already chew the air we breathe here in Los Angeles. How many years did it take you guys to figure that out? I would never have known to by a hybrid vehicle or an electric one if it was not for Cars 2, gee thanks a mill or should I say you’re welcome for the millions you have earned at the box office, merchandise, and upcoming video release. Cheers!

The film gets a C- at best, but had it gone straight to video then I would have graded it a B- because it is slow to the start, but gains momentum towards something palpable. Some of the gags were subpar and (dare I say it) cute, but not strong enough to keep the attention span of my children and I read into it deeply. I will not declare WAR on this film, but I will tell those not to bother going to the theater to see it because it is an over-priced experience, but if you decide to rent it or catch it on cable, then by all means. You will be entertained at a slow pace.

The plot is a bit thin as well. Our hero Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) (Yippy, go NASCAR!) is on vacation, and decides to visit Sally (Bonnie Hunt) and his BFF (Best Friends Forever) Mater (Larry the Cable Guy). Lightning McQueen spends the day with his buddy Mater, but he wants to spend the evening with Sally as they have planned a dinner date. Mater becomes the third wheel and he tries to do whatever it takes to spend time with his BFF. Mater pretends to be a waiter and goes into the bar to order their drinks when he looks up at the TV screen and sees Miles Axelrod (Eddie Izzard) interviewing Francesco Bemoulli (John Turturro). Francesco calls out McQueen on national television and Mater calls into the show and defends his friend (*HINT* friendship theme). This gives rise to McQueen accepting the challenge where he and Mater go to Japan. Meanwhile, the international lemons and clunkers of the world are devising to do away with alternative fuel and increase the trade of fossil fuels, since they own the world’s largest untapped oil reserve, and they are in the works to add new modified parts to help them last longer as they will control the prices. They lemons have found a chemical imbalance within the alternative fuel which causes the car engines to ignite and blow up with an electromagnetic heat ray disguised as a television camera, so as the cars race along the track the clunkers zoom in on the cars with the view finder and activate the targeted cars (stunning isn’t it).

However, the action sequences with Finn McMissle (Michael Caine) are pretty cool and entertaining, especially, the Michael Bay explosions (Woo Hoo), and they definitely remind me of James Bond and how much more entertaining it would be to be watching a James Bond movie. Francesco’s character is colorful and his lines are quite humorous, so in that sense it was not all bad. It is a warm hearted film that pays tribute to all our favorite Spy Flicks, but its strength would have been greater in the world of video instead of the theater, and with that I leave you to tell me your thoughts of the film? Do you agree or disagree? Let down your thoughts. Until next time, see you around the magic lantern.