Not as strong as other Pixar films, but hardly one to bury either

Rating: 7/10 (22 July 2011)

I love Pixar's films, they are beautifully animated, touching and funny with good messages and universal home truths, and they also have great music and characters. I was expecting very little from Cars 2, seeing at how much hate for it there was before and when it was released. But I went to see it anyway, as I convinced myself that even if it was disappointing there has to be at least some redeeming value to it.
And there was. Cars 2 initially did strike me as an unnecessary sequel, however while it is my least Pixar film I liked it actually, and to me Pixar have yet to make a film that I consider bad. Just for the record, I liked the first Cars. Before I saw this, it was my least favourite of Pixar's films, however I loved the animation, the race sequences, the music and Paul Newman. That said, I did see the first Cars recently, and it was a little better for me on re-watch especially when it came to the message.
Anyway about this film, there were a few things I didn't like so much. One was the plot, I admire Pixar for trying something a little more ambitious and different with the themes of espionage and all that. However, while there are a number of entertaining moments, as a whole the story didn't quite gel for me. Some have complained it was too dark, that wasn't my problem. My problem was that the story was convoluted in places, and I also had the feeling there was too much going on as well.
I had mixed feelings about the script. Some of it is laugh-out-loud funny, with witty and droll quips that made me smile. Conversely there are some stretches in the film that feel rather lengthy, due to the pace dragging and the scenes feeling a little too talky for my liking. Others have said about Mater too, I can understand where they're coming from. Larry the Cable Guy to me is not the problem, he puts a lot of enthusiasm into the character though he occasionally overdoes it when the dialogue is not quite as strong as it could be. I personally think Mater is stronger as a support character, he has his moments in the spotlight here, but for a lead he isn't annoying as such but somewhat bland.
On the other side of the argument, there are many things to like about Cars 2. The animation for starters is absolutely amazing. The colours are rich, the background art is focused and the characters move with ease. And need I mention that London and Paris for examples look absolutely beautiful? The race sequences are as exciting as can be, while the music(the first John Lasseter-directed film without a score written by Randy Newman) is energetic and very fitting and memorable. When the dialogue works, it does work and is very witty and funny.
The characters are still engaging. Mater while not entirely working for me has his moments, while Lightning is still interesting and amusing not to mention cocky. The female lead Holley has plenty of personality and is very strong, which is a welcome departure from female characters that have a tendency to be uninteresting or bland, and Finn McMissile is a welcome addition. I loved also the brief mention to Doc Hollywood, which was quite a touching tribute to the late great Paul Newman who voiced him.
The voice acting is terrific. Owen Wilson is as assured as he was before, Larry the Cable Guy is suitably enthusiastic if occasionally trying too hard and Emily Mortimer is lovely as Holley. I'd also like to mention Michael Caine who joins Paul Newman(Cars), Peter O'Toole(Ratatouille), Christopher Plummer(Up), Ned Beatty(Toy Story 3), Willem Dafoe(Finding Nemo) and Kevin Spacey(A Bug's Life) as yet another great actor to voice a Pixar character, and a fine job he does too.
Overall, not Pixar's best, however I don't think it is one to judge so harshly. 7/10 Bethany Cox