Lacks the magic

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2011)

Cars 1 was a great movie. It had a great story and it touched on characters that you grew to love as the movie went on. Cars 2... Not so much.
Story - This one really stars Matter, with all others being part of his story for the most part. Instead of being grounded within Radiator Springs, we find a the familiar characters we know rolling around Europe.
The whole movie is a pseudo James Bond spy film with slapstick thrown in. In no way would I have expected this type of story to make up a Cars movie but that's the direction it went in. There was nothing to make this film truly stand out. The additional characters seemed hurried when compared to the first movie. Sort of a toss in without any back story. I am more then sure that a better story could have been done and it should have been really.
Video/Audio - In general Pixar fashion the movie looks great and sound is also great. There is nothing to complain about as you know what to expect after years of watching fine quality computer animation at work.
Acting - Can't really rate this as easily as other movies. It is voice acting after all, but in saying that it delivers what you expect. Again, Pixar sets bars for others to strive towards.
Overall - This is a great movie for kids, they will love whats going on screen and will love the comedy. As an adult you can easily miss this one and not worry if your missing on something special. The movie is not bad so much as it simply doesn't live up to the first. Then again few movies do.