Title: Cars 2

Running time: 106 minutes, Rated G, Available on standard DVD

Lightning McQueen and his best bud Mader are back in the sequel to the Pixar blockbuster Cars. McQueen takes his friends from Radiator Springs with him to the World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car and try out a new earth friendly fuel called Allinol. Mader however gets mistaken for a spy, and unwittingly becomes involved in international espionage.

Personally, I didn’t see the need to make a sequel to Cars, since I didn’t think the original was great to begin with. I like cartoons, and I think Pixar has created some outstanding animated films, but I didn’t get the appeal of talking cars. Regardless, this one should’ve just been called “Mader” because he’s really the star of both films anyway. Mader embarrasses McQueen because of his simple mindset and verbose curiosity and McQueen tells him to go home. Mader thinking their friendship has ended, causes him to go off on his own adventure. Michael Caine is Finn McMissile, a James Bond character if he were a car, takes Mader under his fender and teaches him how to become a better spy.  Mader also gets a love interest as well with Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer), another spy who mistakes Mader for one and whom is really impressed with his dumb tow-truck “cover.”

The special features include director commentary and two animated shorts: “Air Mader” and a Toy Story short ” Hawaiian Vacation” which was very cute.

Cars 2 is full of adult humor that some children will understand; which is the big appeal with Pixar films. The writing is top notch regardless of the plot. I did like the fact that they included Paul Newman’s character Doc, but subtly alluded that he was no longer living without flat out saying it to depress the child audiences. One scene that stood out that I really liked was that Mader  is given the choice to fix his dent, but refuses because his dents are important to him – a message to all that we all are imperfect and we must embrace our imperfections rather than be artificial to please others. Cars 2 is good family entertainment that even the most cynical of audiences can enjoy.

Total Rating: B