Cars 2 press screenings are happening over the next few days, which means that reviews for the film are going to start rolling in. It seems that The Hollywood Reporter and Variety have gotten a jump on everybody else and have posted in-depth reviews of Pixar’s twelfth animated feature film. Many have been awaiting to see how the studio’s first sequel outside the Toy Story series would be received. The bottom line is that both reviewers agree that Pixar has produced another good film. Read on for some spoiler-free quotes from the two reviews!
THR’s Todd McCarthy had this to say about the film:
Featuring cooler cars and more action than Fast Five, Cars 2 is notably less refined and more rambunctious than Pixar’s recent run of artistic gems. But commercially, it’ll be off to the races this summer, with even bigger international prospects assured on this lap than on the first spin.
Perhaps as much as in any animated film one could cite, there’s always something beautiful or clever or funny to look at and, as often as not, to listen to as the anthropomorphized automobiles zip about in high and determined spirits.
Even as recent Pixar films have benefited from increased simplicity and modulation of mood and effect, Lasseter keeps Cars 2 running at close to the red line from start to finish with nary a pit stop to refuel.
Bottom Line : Lightning and Mater mix it up with Formula 1 and spies in yet another Pixar winner.
Click here to read the full review on THR’s official website, but beware, as there are spoilers.
Variety’s Justin Chang seemed to like the film even more:
If “Cars” was perhaps the least engaging of Pixar’s hugely successful animated features, John Lasseter and his team have hit the creative accelerator with the unexpectedly delightful “Cars 2.” The rare sequel that not only improves on but retroactively justifies its predecessor, this lightning-paced caper-comedy shifts the franchise into high gear with international intrigue, spy-movie spoofery and more automotive puns than you can shake a stickshift at, handling even its broader stretches with sophistication, speed and effortless panache.
As it recently reaffirmed with “Toy Story 3,” Pixar never ventures into the bottom-line-driven sequel market without the essentials of a good story and a clear artistic purpose. Working from a whip-smart script by Ben Queen (a relative newcomer with the salient TV credit “Drive”), Lasseter has not only invigorated his original concept but enabled the viewer to appreciate and share his passion for this unique corner of the Disney toon-iverse.
That is some high praise from Chang. Click here to read the full review on Variety’s official website, but there are some small spoilers, so tread lightly.
Cars 2 is off to a nice start with the reviews. We will keep watch and will continue to share more spoiler-free quotes from reviews in the next week!
Cars 2 arrives in theaters on Friday, June 24.
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