The Blu-Ray Dissection: Cars 2 (Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack)
Posted by Chad Webb on 12.02.2011
Pixar's divisive sequel to Cars is on Blu-Ray. The picture and sound are first-rate, but how is the film itself? Does it deserve a second look? Click to find out...
Featuring the Voices of:
Larry the Cable Guy: Mater
Owen Wilson: Lightning McQueen
Michael Caine: Finn McMissile
Emily Mortimer: Holly Shiftwell
Eddie Izzard: Sir Miles Axlerod
John Turturro: Francesco Bernoulli
Joe Mantegna: Grem
Thomas Kretschman: Professor Z
Peter Jacobson: Acer
Bonnie Hunt: Sally
Directed By: John Lasseter and Brad Lewis
Written By: Ben Queen
Theatrical Release Date: June 24, 2011
Blu-Ray Release Date: November 1, 2011
Running Time: 106 minutes
Rated G
The Film
It is a fact that the first Cars received largely favorable responses upon its release, but it is also a fact that its sequel Cars 2 is to date the worst reviewed film of the Pixar canon. What happened during that five years? Several four-star Pixar releases for one. But is the hate towards Cars 2 justified? I highly enjoyed the first film, the nostalgia and that the story came from John Lasseter's heart. I have talked with many people who were not as enthusiastic about Cars. It is indeed quality entertainment for all ages, but perhaps it is geared more to younger viewers with its bright colors and easier humor. I appreciated those same attributes in Cars 2 as well, and left the theater genuinely satisfied with the new characters and expanded universe.
Cars 2 is a good film, but not a perfect one, and that is the key thing to remember. However, does that make it a bad film? The problem is one Pixar might not have foreseen: its own streak. The string of masterpieces delivered by Pixar was not just remarkable, but unbelievable. For years I reviewed their efforts, approaching each one with elevated expectations, and each time, they were exceeded. I predicted long ago that when Pixar inevitably releases a film that is anything but perfect, the world would exaggerate its flaws. I do not say that to be arrogant, but it was immensely disappointing when this came true. The corny teaser lines could be read everywhere. Critics were waiting for this day. Whether any of them admit it or not, they do not like winning streaks, and Pixar's was rising to epic proportions. Without a moment's hesitation, the reviews emerged about Pixar's first failure.
What made this so disconcerting is that most of the lashings focused more on Pixar than they did Cars 2. I firmly believe that many people never even gave it a chance. Long before it actually hit theaters, it was deemed that Cars did not need a sequel, and so they were all preparing to declare this the first dud. Apparently, in the eyes of the moviegoing world, Pixar can only present audiences with classics. Anything less would not be accepted. To a degree, I understand how people could have this reaction. After all, we anticipated the very best from this company, and received just that, for well over a decade, and when a blemished entry arrived, it was jarring. With all the forgettable, pop-culture reference infused animated offerings each year; Pixar remained a breath of fresh air. But one would assume that some of the detractors would take a step back and re-analyze those overly harsh sentiments.
One statement I have heard over and over again is that a sequel to Cars was not necessary, that if any Pixar film didn't deserve one, it was this. To date, I have not heard any valid reason for this attitude. The first one made money, got positive reviews, and as we all should know, in this day age that combination results in instant sequel production. Maybe it's because Pixar doesn't greenlight their sequels lightly, that Cars was the first film to get a sequel apart from Toy Story. Yes, other Pixar gems could benefit from a sequel, but Cars means a lot to John Lasseter; the script emanated from his memories of road trips as a child, hence, this is what was chosen. And yet the masses cried that Cars received a sequel because of greed or merchandising purposes, a claim is grossly unfair just because the studio will see dollar signs for a movie targeted at kids. Cars warranted a sequel as much as any successful CGI flick. Lasseter introduced us to a planet where forms of transportation have personalities of their own. The first story left ample room for exploring, and Cars 2 gave us that in spades.
In the first Cars star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) learned to chill out and enjoy life. His time in the town of Radiator Springs taught him a lesson, and it is there he met his best friend Mater (a tow truck), his girlfriend Sally (a blue Porsche), and Doc Hudson (his mentor). But Lightning is still a racecar after all, and he remains a triumphant one, but is being harassed by arrogant Italian racer Francesco Bernoulli (Voice of John Turturro) to compete in the World Grand Prix. He eventually agrees, and Mater (Voice of Larry the Cable Guy) accompanies him over seas as a pit crew member. The event consists of three races in various countries (Japan, Italy, England), and is hosted by industrialist Sir Miles Axlerod (Voice of Eddie Izzard). Lightning also decided to run the events on Axlerod's controversial alternative fuel source, Allinol. Meanwhile, two British spy agents, Finn McMissile (Voice of Michael Caine) and Holly Shiftwell (Voice of Emily Mortimer), are involved in an espionage plot behind the scenes, and Mater gets caught up in the mess. He is mistaken for an undercover agent and is recruited to help investigate. As the friendship of Mater and Lightning is tested, someone must get to the bottom of the criminal activities.
Although the storyline for Cars 2 is a little rough around the edges, that is not necessarily the problem. The primary flaw of the film is the lack of transition from the world we knew from Cars 1 to the second installment. In the first adventure, viewers adjusted to vehicles with personalities and faces in a small town amidst a relatively simple tale. In Cars 2 we are immediately catapulted into a universe with spies, cars climbing up walls, and shootouts. The opening sequence was meant as a clear eye-opener, an action-packed set-up to get everyone's attention. The hiccup is that John Lasseter should have eased audiences into such a rapid expansion better. Cars 2 almost feels like it should be Cars 3, and a subtler installment could have been inserted in between. Nevertheless, our introduction to the wonderfully James Bond-esque Finn McMissile (an Aston Martin) is visually outstanding and thrilling.
There is nothing inherently wrong with the spy story thread. Could a better plot have been written? Perhaps, but this one offered the characters the opportunity to travel the globe, to discover other countries, and new types of characters. That was the point. Without the spies, we could not have been blessed with villains comprised of history's lemon cars, which in my eyes is an ingenious aspect of Cars 2. Actually, a great deal is happening in Cars 2, enough that it could be considered complex for younger viewers, but it's all exciting and compassionate because the central characters are the same. The duo of Lightning McQueen and Mater act as the nucleus of this series, and they are easy to identify with. Admittedly, I too was skeptical of Mater taking the spotlight away from McQueen here, but it makes sense in terms of Mater's increased popularity and the fact that another movie solely about Lightning racing would be dull.
Mater being mistaken for a spy might be a bit hokey, but it is harmless fun and Pixar makes it effective without much hassle. The character development of Mater is pretty surprising, and his knowledge of cars and their parts comes in handy for his mission. He is a tow truck after all, so it should serve as no shock that he is a capable mechanic. Larry the Cable Guy's cinematic resume does not have many gleaming jewels, but he is fabulous as Mater, a true match between actor and animated character. John Lasseter and Larry the Cable Guy prove that Mater can be just as hysterical without overstaying his welcome whether he is involved in a supporting capacity or taking center stage. Elsewhere, Owen Wilson exudes the youthful exuberance of Lightning McQueen quite well, while the new additions were suitably picked. Michael Caine has such a distinct voice that is ideal as Finn McMissile, and Emily Mortimer is just as good disappearing into the character of Holly Shiftwell. Eddie Izzard has superb vocals for animation, as he's demonstrated before (The Simpsons, The Wild), and he is top-notch as Sir Miles Axlerod.
The bulk of the comedy in Cars 2 is light and airy, but still produces chuckles and straight laugh out loud moments. It's not just the plot that signifies Mater's as the new hero; it's the humor, which he controls. Take Lightning's arrival at the World Grand Prix, where he's trying to keep Mater contained and is afraid of getting embarrassed, which obviously ends up happening. Their friendship hits a bumpy path after Lightning can't take much more of the dimwitted yet good-hearted rust heap, but that is basically inconsequential. That plot cliche has been recycled in family entertainment for decades, and will continue to be because it usually works. We're not concerned with the duo making up; their separation is a catalyst boosting their own adventures. In this franchise it is not the cleverness of the jokes, but the timing of them that counts, and Pixar has never faltered in that area. Mater's disguise malfunction as a spy is one of the best bits. The automotive wordplay is everywhere here, and they are easy laughs, but Pixar is detailed enough with the adjusted names that it never fails to be at least amusing.
From a visual stance, Pixar is just as masterful as they always have been. Not a frame goes by that is not saturated with pristine and precise imagery and genuinely amazing craftsmanship. The level of computer generated splendor, combined with the puns and elaborateness keep the viewer actively enthralled to the screen. Even if you disliked Cars 2, few could argue that it's boring. Michael Giacchino's pulse-pounding spy score helps with the pace and mood as well, suavely aiding the chases and commotion. The sustainable energy/alternative fuel source commentary is right in line with the relevant themes in past Pixar efforts such as Wall-E. This message is anything but subtle, but it makes no difference. Where better to employ this hot-button topic than in a world populated by living automobiles? John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, and Dan Fogleman developed the story, but Ben Queen is credited with the script and it is more intelligent and sophisticated than detractors care to admit.
Cars 2 leaves the nostalgia in the backseat in favor of an ultra modern, escapist, action-packed, globetrotting exercise that might not have as much emotion and soul as its predecessor, but it's still there underneath the hyperactive pace. Pixar supplies a sequel that embraces its storyline full-speed ahead without being self-aware or pretentious. The spy spoof screenplay has been done in the past, but John Lasseter and company instill their own brand of wit and charm to make it fresh, fulfilling, and sincere. This sequel is also an example of how to integrate lowbrow humor with exaggerated accents and bathroom gags in a manner that isn't cringe worthy. Cars 2 is conventional, but it is a testament to the filmmakers that they gave such a basic story such energy and feeling. Before tossing this sequel away as the end of a streak, remind yourselves that this is an imperfect world, and now Pixar has experienced that. Cars 2 is not spotless, but it is a strong follow-up. If it truly is as bad as some say, and if the majority of their previous successes have been matchless, why can't there be room in between?
The Video
Whatever your opinion may be of the film, in terms of visuals, Pixar has definitely not missed a beat. Of every film in their catalogue, the Cars franchise unquestionably offers a feast for the eyes with every color imaginable and exceedingly bright, sharp, and detailed animation. It was wonderful to see the various countries come to life from the wizards at Pixar, fine-tuning every last piece of this universe. You will not spot any defects like grain, blurriness, or digital artifacting here. This is clean and spotless. Cars 2 is presented in an anamorphic aspect ration of 2.39:1. By the way, the technical specifications of the standard DVD are excellent as well. It comes in handy if you don't have a Blu-Ray player everywhere you go, but I'm not sure how many fans exist for these stupid combo packs.
The Audio
The sound department is fantastic as well, and this particular Pixar effort boasts tire screeches, gunfire, explosions, and more that will give your speakers a nice workout. The sound editing and mixing is top-notch with concise, crisp, and clear effects. The dialogue is lucid and totally understandable, but you get subtitles in English and Spanish. You can play the movie in 7.1 DTS-HD master audio, 5.1 ES DTS-HD, or Dolby Surround 2.0, but the 5.1 track will play by default. This package includes a wide variety of audio options, but on the Blu-Ray you have the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (Mexican Spanish) along with Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (Spanish) and Dolby Surround 2.0 (English, DVS) which is on both the Blu-Ray and standard DVD. The standard DVD has the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (English) and Dolby Surround 2.0 (Mexican Spanish).
The Packaging
The Blu-Ray and DVD combo pack of Cars 2 is distributed in a standard slimline case for the format, but it houses two discs inside. The embossed slipsleeve cover art is flashy, yet fitting with the car characters in a V with the planet in the background signifying the new settings of the story. Inside are plenty of Disney sheets and advertisements such as a Disney Movie Rewards booklet with 125-point code and another one promoting various Disney goodies. The menu screens are easy to navigate and feature the primary car characters being spun around while their countries of origin are displayed and the score plays.
The Extras
Audio Commentary - This features Directors John Lasseter and Brad Lewis, whose comments are recorded separately. If you are one of those haters that scoffed at this as a money grab with no inspiration, I urge you to seek this out and listen to it. Lasseter's enthusiasm for the project is evident. You'll hear his comments more than Lewis. He discusses all aspects of the movie's background and why this particular adventure was selected from his own travel experiences to the Bourne series.
Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation (5:53) - This was the short seen before Cars 2, the first of many with these beloved characters. This one is sweet, funny, and memorable with Woody, Buzz and the gang trying to cheer Ken up by giving him the vacation he wanted right in Bonnie's bedroom.
Air Mater (5:23) - This is a new short that was not seen before this Blu-Ray release, following in the line of "A Cars Toon/Mater's Tall Tales." Here we have Mater explaining to Lightning when he learned to fly and his time in the Falcon Hawks air stunt show. It’s cute and certainly passable, but nothing extraordinary.
The Film: 8.0/10.0
The Video: 10.0/10.0
The Audio: 10.0/10.0
The Packaging: 9.0/10.0
The Extras: 5.5/10.0
The 411: The perception of Cars 2 is that it was a failure critically. This is a shame really because the movie itself took the brunt of the abuse from problems people actually had with the company Pixar. No one would argue that this is the best film Pixar has given us. One might even say that it is among their worst. But that still doesn't mean it's bad. For a studio that constantly delivers the very best in animation each year, an average effort should not be bludgeoned as if it's one of the worst of the year. This is a wonderful piece of work from John Lasseter that is filled with entertaining light humor, heartfelt themes, and an exciting storyline. Put your preconceptions about whether or not the sequel was needed aside and give it a second chance. You might be surprised. This Blu-Ray set, while it does have first-rate audio and video quality, lacks in terms of extras. I'm thrilled the Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation short was included, but they slapped this package together somewhat haphazardly. Nevertheless, this is worth owning as the family will love revisiting these characters.
