Cars: 2- Movie review

Cars has been the least exciting of all Pixar's animation films and it's sequel, though a better model in terms of features, lacks the combustive excitement that was expected from it. The film is being released as a first, in India, complemented by new age advanced Dolby 3D technology with Barco visual projection. But the effects alone cannot accelerate the predominantly dull story-telling technique on display here

Cars: 2 (3D)
U/A: Animation
Dir: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
Voice Cast: Owen Wilson, Larry the cable guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Bonnie Hunt
''1/2

Cars has been the least exciting of all Pixar's animation films and it's sequel, though a better model in terms of features, lacks the combustive excitement that was expected from it. The film is being released as a first, in India, complemented by new age advanced Dolby 3D technology with Barco visual projection. But the effects alone cannot accelerate the predominantly dull story-telling technique on display here.

Before the engineered fireworks of Cars 2 can kick-start, we are treated to a winsome and fascinating anime short Hawaiian Vacation featuring the characters from Toy Story. But it's an opening gambit that all but fails in its purpose. Instead of fuelling a surge in desire for the Cars sequel it teases you with a lingering desire for more of Toy Story and that in fact takes a lot away from the enjoyment of Cars 2. Also, Cars 2's fast and furious assemblage compares unfavourably with the fantastical wholesomeness displayed by the anime short preceding it.

As a sequel this is an improvement, coming as it does with a racier pace and a lot more action. The story highlights the importance of sticking by your friends. Ben Queen's script has all the elements required to make the cut as an entertaining kiddy outing but the injudiciousness in the use of detail cripples the overall fun.
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The dialogues are overly verbose, the international intrigue and spy-movie spoofery are visually delightful but the involvement is minimal. The plot's heavy narrative makes it all quite wearisome. Former side-kick Tow Mater (Larry the cable guy) may have saved the day for his best friend Lightning McQueen (Wilson) but the politics of friendship and the innate selfishness that hampers it, encumbers the narrative at a uninvolving level. There is just too much happening with all the spy work, constant travelling - zipping from Radiator springs USA to Tokyo, Japan, Paris, Italian Riviera, Pontecorvo, London and various other locales. Also, meticulously animated Formula 1-type racing, competitiveness between rivals, and small town complexities populate the narrative.

With so much of distraction caused by the wonderfully detailed reality, there is little time to sit back and enjoy the innate charm of the action and superior anime unleashed by Lasseter and Lewis's wizardry. The film is appreciable for it's technical superiority but unfortunately that doesn't amount to much in terms of overall enjoyment!