Preview: Cars 2 (2011)

Synopsis:

The sequel to Pixar's automotive hit takes Mater and Lightning McQueen across the pond and embroils them in international espionage.

• Poster: B; C

Review:

I'll give the poster a little leeway because I don't know how international the film will be, but from the trailer, it only looks like an England-based adventure, which would suggest that it's not as international as the poster lets on, but perhaps it is a genuine spy-ish film with exotic locales.

An expansion of the teaser poster does not impress. It's like the cheesy character posters I've railed against in the past. It entirely lacks any inventiveness which is not a good sign when it comes to Pixar.

• Trailer: C+; C-; C

Review:

You want it to be more exciting than that, especially considering all the great previews that have crept up in the past, but this looks more like a lame reject from the Fox Animation vaults than one from a Pixar classic-in-the-making.

Has Pixar lost its magic? They choose one of their least popular films for a sequel and then make a trailer that's as interesting as a wet noodle. At least they have confirmed that this is an international spy flick, but there's almost nothing humorous in this trailer. That's disappointing.

That this third trailer goes to links to say this is a Disney-Pixar effort instead of just a Pixar one suggests that we're to expect a heavy-handed kids flick with no depth or emotion. The trailer also lacks a lot of the humor that you would expect from this kind of effort, which might mean a depressed box office.

Oscar Prospects:

It's Pixar, so you have to consider it a contender for Animated Feature, but the first film lost to Happy Feet and I can't see the Academy really digging this sequel the way they did with the two sequels to Toy Story.

Release Date:

• June 24, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (October 21, 2010) Original

-Wesley Lovell (November 16, 2010) New Poster

-Wesley Lovell (November 17, 2010) New Trailer

-Wesley Lovell (May 1, 2011) New Trailer; New Poster