Pixar is easily the most trusted name in animated films. Every one of their films has been met with open arms and praise from everywhere. The imagination and creativity flow from their studio seamlessly.
Expected excellence is interrupted by Pixar's latest venture, Cars 2. Instead of the wonder and magic that we're used to, Cars 2 is a lazy sequel and the studio's first misfire after decades of delivering exceptional entertainment.
Rather than focus on Cars star Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), Cars 2decides to place Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) as the main character. Through dumb luck, Mater falls into being a secret agent, while Lightning races through a multi-track and multi-city grand prix. Mater battles an evil group of old cars that want to destroy alternative fuel by surviving bumbling mishaps that somehow end up saving the day time and time again.
It was a very bold move to cast Larry the Cable Guy as the main character ofCars 2. As Witless Protection and Health Inspector have already shown, he can't carry a movie and his antics feel annoying and out of place. Instead of a lovable character, he's more of a lame Johnny English rip-off, bringing nothing to the character except a bumbling fool who happens to get lucky; sentiments I'm sure Larry the Cable Guy isn't a stranger to. The other voice actors, including Owen Wilson, Michael Caine and John Turturro, don't seem to particularly care and phone in their performances.
That isn't to say Cars 2 doesn't have its moments. Occasionally there is an effort of comedy, and seeing Michael Caine voice a car is entertaining in itself. It will be amusing to young children; the 4 to 9-year old crowd will be the loudest in the theater.
Little can be said against Pixar's animation prowess. They have always been at the top of the game in animation style, direction, and having so much to look at.Cars 2 is no different, and there are eye-catching moments as well as some fun action scenes. Most of the animation is heavily geared towards children, however, and anyone over the age of ten is going to have a hard time with the overtly cartoon-like style.
Cars 2 is completely geared for small children and as Disney and Pixar are hoping, should sell tons of merchandising. This wouldn't be such a bad thing, but Pixar has proven time and time again to be the studio willing to stepsout of those boundaries to give us something everyone – young or old - can enjoy.
With Cars 2, the story and characters are weak with everything having an adolescent feel about it. It is more like a straight-to-video movie rather than a feature-length animated film. It caters to kids - and only kids - and is a real step backward for Pixar, showing us even the biggest giants can sometimes fall.
Expected excellence is interrupted by Pixar's latest venture, Cars 2. Instead of the wonder and magic that we're used to, Cars 2 is a lazy sequel and the studio's first misfire after decades of delivering exceptional entertainment.
Rather than focus on Cars star Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), Cars 2decides to place Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) as the main character. Through dumb luck, Mater falls into being a secret agent, while Lightning races through a multi-track and multi-city grand prix. Mater battles an evil group of old cars that want to destroy alternative fuel by surviving bumbling mishaps that somehow end up saving the day time and time again.
It was a very bold move to cast Larry the Cable Guy as the main character ofCars 2. As Witless Protection and Health Inspector have already shown, he can't carry a movie and his antics feel annoying and out of place. Instead of a lovable character, he's more of a lame Johnny English rip-off, bringing nothing to the character except a bumbling fool who happens to get lucky; sentiments I'm sure Larry the Cable Guy isn't a stranger to. The other voice actors, including Owen Wilson, Michael Caine and John Turturro, don't seem to particularly care and phone in their performances.
Little can be said against Pixar's animation prowess. They have always been at the top of the game in animation style, direction, and having so much to look at.Cars 2 is no different, and there are eye-catching moments as well as some fun action scenes. Most of the animation is heavily geared towards children, however, and anyone over the age of ten is going to have a hard time with the overtly cartoon-like style.
Cars 2 is completely geared for small children and as Disney and Pixar are hoping, should sell tons of merchandising. This wouldn't be such a bad thing, but Pixar has proven time and time again to be the studio willing to stepsout of those boundaries to give us something everyone – young or old - can enjoy.
With Cars 2, the story and characters are weak with everything having an adolescent feel about it. It is more like a straight-to-video movie rather than a feature-length animated film. It caters to kids - and only kids - and is a real step backward for Pixar, showing us even the biggest giants can sometimes fall.
