Cars 2

It was Pixar’s 20th Anniversary in 2006 when they made Cars. And while there may have been several other movies that Pixar could have chosen to make a sequel to, Cars 2 would have been as good a tribute as any other to Pixar’s existence. Yes Toy Story 3 could have been released a year later to commemorate the silver jubilee of Pixar (coz that’s what started it all) but then the magic of Cars is still up there. And Cars 2 doesn’t disappoint you one bit. Through the two hours that you would spend in the movie hall for this one, you would be reminded about the older characters which were so clearly sketched in the first edition of this superb franchise (buy it on DVD if you haven’t seen it yet) and you would also add a few more beautiful and memorable characters to a list that you would remember ever so fondly for the rest of your life. Kids, teenagers, tweenagers, or the older ones would all love Cars 2 in the same way.

One had to wait for a long time to see Cars 2 – something that I wasn’t too sure about after Cars 1 because they hadn’t really left it open ended enough to have one – but John Lasseter (who also gave us Cars) continues to spin the magic that he started off 5 years back. This time around the story revolves around a magic green fuel called Allinoil invented by the great Sir Miles Axelrod (Eddy Izzard) who is not only an adventurer but also one of the richest men – oops cars – in the world. To promote Allinoil, Sir Axelrod, organizes the race of all races – across 3 race tracks which would test the best race cars from all across the world. With race tracks that combine the best conditions for a variety of cars, Formula 1, Rally Cars and of course Indi Cars. Our hero Lightning decides to opt out but with the right instigation from the famous F1 Car Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro) he decides to take the challenge on. However, there is something fishy going on which gets 2 characters into the fray – Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) – 2 secret agents who are onto something here. And when cars start blowing up they know that something is not right about this race.

Lasseter continues with what he is great at – character detailing. He leaves very little to imagination and covers as many traits of the characters as possible in the short time available. He continues to be aided by great casting – Caine is slick as McMissile and Mortimer is equally good as Shiftwell. The other voice overs continue to be the same as the first part with Larry the Cable Guy as Mator is outstanding!!! While the message in the previous edition was mainly about humility, this one is mainly about valuing friendships – a trait in Pixar animation that I truly admire. It is essential for movies to carry a message – even more so with animation cause we influence the younger ones even more. Although Cars 2 is for young and old alike. I give this an 8.5 on 10 yet again. Loved it completely!!!! This years academy awards line up is ready – Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda and Rango. No one else comes close.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1822465049/

Cars

OK. Here we go. Focus. Speed. I am Speed. One winner. 42 losers. I have losers for Breakfast…. Breakfast… wait, maybe I should have had breakfast. A little brecky could be good for me. No no no. stay focused. Speed. Faster than fast. Quicker than Quick. I am Lightning. Oh Yeah!!!! Lightning’s ready!!!!
Now how many movies do you know that start off with something as fascinating and memorable as this. Right from the first shot, John Lasseter (Toy Story 1 and 2) and Joe Ranft have you captivated. The story of Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) starts off with the build up to Lightning’s chance at winning the Piston Cup in the final reason of the year. The build up to the stand-off between The Legend, The Runner Up and The Rookie – The Blue Car No. 43 The King, Strip Weathers (Richard Petty), The Green Car No. 86 Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton) and The Red Car No. 95 Lightning respectively who are tied @ same points at the beginning of the final race. And as luck would have it, the final race doesn’t prove to be the final race. Despite the mean efforts of Chick Hicks to cause the other of all crashes, Lightning squeezes through and is about to win the race and become the first rookie to win the Piston Cup. However, the haughty McQueen doesn’t heed his team’s instructions for a tyre change and finds himself at the last corner with two blown tyres, barely manages to cross the line and is tied with The King and Chick forcing a play off or should we say race off in California in a week. Phew!!! So much excitement in the first 10 minutes of the movie!!! You just know it that you have on your hands a phenomenal next 90 minutes.

What strikes you about Cars and puts it comfortably in the top 10 Animation movies of all time in my list – one that includes Lion King, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Wall E, Up, Ice Age & Kung Fu Panda – is the clearly fleshed out characters. Even the insignificant ones such as Jay Limo or the hottie twins i.e. Tia and Mia or the “Biggest Lightning McQueen Fan” are so nicely called out. The more important ones have almost nothing that is not clear by the end of the story. And the voice overs are simply perfect. I could not have thought of anyone better than Owen Wilson for Lightning and Paul Newman for the Hudson Hornet – a classic combination of a rookie learning from a veteran. Package all of the above with a solid message of humility and you have yourself an entertainer par excellence. One that can be seen with the entire family in town – correction – one that MUST be seen with the entire family in town. Don’t ask me how Happy Feet won the Oscar in the same year as Cars. I would not have in my wildest of dreams thought of handing over Uncle Oscar to anyone else in 2007. Cars 1 is definitely an 8.5 on 10 at least and one that everyone must not only watch but also own.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2483750681/