Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Cars 2 - Reviews not so good

Cars 2 - Reviews not so good
Thread Tools
Eug
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 21, 2011, 10:12 PM
 
So far, the initial reviews are pretty middling on Cars 2.

I personally wasn't a fan of Cars at all, so if it ends up getting reviewed worse than Cars, I won't bother to see Cars 2. I haven't been too impressed by the trailers so far. BTW, it was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis.

Cars 2 - Movie Trailers - iTunes
     
The Final Dakar
Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 21, 2011, 10:23 PM
 
Larry the Cable Guy + NASCAR = never bothered with the original.
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 21, 2011, 10:50 PM
 
Yeah, Mater was an annoying character, but I disliked Owen Wilson's Lightning McQueen even more at times, which doesn't bode well when he's the main character of the movie.
     
ort888
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Your Anus
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 21, 2011, 11:55 PM
 
First one was mediocre at best... the second looks like more of the same. I will say this though... the youngins... they LOVE it.

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
Kerrigan
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Apr 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 01:50 AM
 
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
     
Lateralus
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:00 AM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
You've obviously never heard of Adult Swim.
I like chicken
I like liver
Meow Mix, Meow Mix
Please de-liv-er
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Online
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:10 AM
 
Originally Posted by Lateralus View Post
You've obviously never heard of Adult Swim.
Nor watched any of the other Pixar movies.
     
Jawbone54
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Louisiana
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:18 AM
 
Cars was definitely on the bottom of my list of Pixar movies, but I still got a lot of enjoyment out of it. My Pixar Blu-ray collection is almost complete -- I'll probably pick up Cars 2 regardless of the reviews.

And Pixar isn't just for kids.

Of course, this comes from a guy who also has a Muppet addiction...
     
lpkmckenna
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Toronto
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 03:26 AM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
Holy crap, that's a stupid comment.
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 05:47 AM
 
As I worked in pediatrics when Cars came out, I had to become at least familiar with the characters. I wasn't too wowed by the story line, but the visuals were all very good. That got me to thinking about how Pixar has pushed the edge of "commenting on the animation" so far that we now start off thinking about the story, the characters, and the voice talent.

(My favorite character was Doc Hudson, in no small part because Paul Newman's very real experience with auto racing. And hey, it was Paul Newman!!!)

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 08:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
The first act of WALL-E was the best I've seen in years. Sublime. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie was "merely" good.
     
The Final Dakar
Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 09:03 AM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
Originally Posted by Lateralus View Post
You've obviously never heard of Adult Swim.
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Nor watched any of the other Pixar movies.
Originally Posted by lpkmckenna View Post
Holy crap, that's a stupid comment.
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
The first act of WALL-E was the best I've seen in years. Sublime. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie was "merely" good.
     
Laminar
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 09:27 AM
 
I enjoyed the first one, but every preview of Cars 2 makes me think they left Pixar out of this one completely and let Disney write it.
     
imitchellg5
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 09:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by Kerrigan View Post
It's a cartoon--if you don't have children, you shouldn't be watching it.
Seriously?

Movies such as Cars are good, lighthearted fun. If you can't enjoy them, I'm sorry, but don't shit over everyone else who can.
     
osiris
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Isle of Manhattan
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 09:56 AM
 
Originally Posted by Lateralus View Post
You've obviously never heard of Adult Swim.
Adult Swim FTW

OTOH It looks like Disney raped the crap out of Pixar, and Cars2 is the result.
I'll have to see it first, I suppose.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
andi*pandi
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 10:31 AM
 
I enjoyed Cars more than I thought I would, so I'll reserve judgement until we see it. Even though it's been disneyfied, it's still going to be miles better than Yogi Bear or the Smurfs.

Miss Paul Newman and his character, but Michael Caine, people.
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 11:43 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
I enjoyed the first one, but every preview of Cars 2 makes me think they left Pixar out of this one completely and let Disney write it.
I actually momentarily half wondered about that too, so I looked it up.

Directed by
John Lasseter
Brad Lewis (co-director)

Writing credits
Ben Queen (screenplay)
John Lasseter (story) &
Brad Lewis (story) &
Dan Fogelman (story)
     
-Q-
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 11:57 AM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
Miss Paul Newman and his character, but Michael Caine, people.
Some quotes from Michael Caine:

"I've made an awful lot of films. In fact, I've made a lot of awful films."

and

"[on Jaws: The Revenge (1987)] I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific."

And while I adore Michael Caine, his participation in a movie doesn't necessarily mean it's a good movie.

After seeing Cars, I'm completely uninterested in Cars 2. But as mentioned previously, any child I know *loves* it, so this may be the Pixar IP that is more child focused (or simply appeals more to that demo) than anything else they do.
     
King Bob On The Cob
Mac Elite
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Illinois
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 12:00 PM
 
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
I actually momentarily half wondered about that too, so I looked it up.

Directed by
John Lasseter
Brad Lewis (co-director)

Writing credits
Ben Queen (screenplay)
John Lasseter (story) &
Brad Lewis (story) &
Dan Fogelman (story)
Ben Queen - Who?
John Lasseter - OK, but he's involved with everything now and has too many responsibilities at Disney to be a real story force.
Brad Lewis - The producer of Ratatoille, but also the producer of Antz. Why is he directing/writing now?
Dan Fogelman - The writer of Bolt and Tangled. Does not inspire confidence past "Puts out exactly what Disney wants him to put out".

Oh well, Brad Bird's new Pixar flick is going to come out soon enough.
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 12:27 PM
 
Originally Posted by King Bob On The Cob View Post
Ben Queen - Who?
John Lasseter - OK, but he's involved with everything now and has too many responsibilities at Disney to be a real story force.
Brad Lewis - The producer of Ratatoille, but also the producer of Antz. Why is he directing/writing now?
Dan Fogelman - The writer of Bolt and Tangled. Does not inspire confidence past "Puts out exactly what Disney wants him to put out".

Oh well, Brad Bird's new Pixar flick is going to come out soon enough.
I've seen neither Bolt nor Tangled, but both got excellent reviews. In fact, the GF bought Tangled on Blu-ray in the Blockbuster-going-out-of-business sale for cheap so it's on my list to see.

P.S. Saying John Lasseter had too many responsibilities to be a real story force, is like saying Steve Jobs had too many responsibilities to be a real design force at Apple.
     
Thorzdad
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Nobletucky
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 12:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by -Q- View Post
After seeing Cars, I'm completely uninterested in Cars 2. But as mentioned previously, any child I know *loves* it, so this may be the Pixar IP that is more child focused (or simply appeals more to that demo) than anything else they do.
It's probably more accurate to say that the Cars franchise is the Pixar IP that is more licensing and product focused than anything else they do. Sure, it's appeal is directly aimed at kids, but that's probably incidental to the real driving force, which is licensing dollars.

They've all but milked the Toy Story cow dry, as far as licensing goes, but Cars still has legs.
     
andi*pandi
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 12:58 PM
 
Bolt was so-so, better than I imagine Yogi Bear was (refused to see on principle) but better than I imagined. Tangled was actually pretty good.

I think Pixar has raised the bar for Dreamworks and Disney, and they are trying.
     
Laminar
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 01:08 PM
 
My favorite part is when the trailer presents Pixar as "the creators of Toy Story 3."
     
Stogieman
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 01:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by King Bob On The Cob View Post
Oh well, Brad Bird's new Pixar flick is going to come out soon enough.
Which one is that? I'm still waiting for a sequel to The Incredibles.

Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
ort888
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Your Anus
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:10 PM
 
The only known upcoming Pixar movies are Brave and a prequel to Monsters Inc. They are known to be working on a bunch of as of yet unknown flicks though. I think Brad bird has moved on to live action stuff though. I don't think he's doing a Pixar movie next.

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
imitchellg5
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by ort888 View Post
The only known upcoming Pixar movies are Brave and a prequel to Monsters Inc. They are known to be working on a bunch of as of yet unknown flicks though. I think Brad bird has moved on to live action stuff though. I don't think he's doing a Pixar movie next.
And Planes.
     
andi*pandi
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:18 PM
 
huh, all the trailers are gone except this one:

YouTube - ‪Planes - Trailer‬‏

I just don't know. Well, I know 2-5 year old boys love planes almost as much as cars and firetrucks, but... this looks lame.

Points for the Top Gun intro though.
     
ort888
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Your Anus
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 02:19 PM
 
Planes is by Disney not Pixar, and is direct to DVD. It doesn't count.

I think Pixar just decided to whore out Cars because, who cares, let's make some CASH. (See Michael Caine quote above)

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
mitchell_pgh
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Washington, DC
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 03:17 PM
 
Cars was the first pixar movie where I said, "Meh... I don't need to see that again."

It's forgettable. Cars 2 does nothing for me... especially when there are a few other interesting movies out.
     
The Final Dakar
Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 03:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh View Post
especially when there are a few other interesting movies out.
It's funny, this year has been a wasteland for movies to me. I think I've reached a new high as far as cinematic disdain is concerned.
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 04:29 PM
 
     
Doc HM
Professional Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UKland
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 05:31 PM
 
Strangely no mentions of The Incredibles

Animated movie or not The Incredibles is one of the most perfectly pitched and paced movies ever made. It's just bravura filmmaking from start to finish.
This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 07:36 PM
 
     
finboy
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Garden of Paradise Motel, Suite 3D
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 07:49 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Nor watched any of the other Pixar movies.
Your loss. Sad face.

In other news:

I thought Mater was the main character on this one, not McQueen.

Lasseter lost me when he said that "Big Oil" was the villain. Not sure I want my kids to go through another WALL-E .
     
exca1ibur
Mac Elite
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Oakland, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 22, 2011, 10:53 PM
 
Originally Posted by Doc HM View Post
Strangely no mentions of The Incredibles

Animated movie or not The Incredibles is one of the most perfectly pitched and paced movies ever made. It's just bravura filmmaking from start to finish.
I agree. By far my favorite Pixar movie.
     
King Bob On The Cob
Mac Elite
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Illinois
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 11:51 AM
 
Originally Posted by ort888 View Post
The only known upcoming Pixar movies are Brave and a prequel to Monsters Inc. They are known to be working on a bunch of as of yet unknown flicks though. I think Brad bird has moved on to live action stuff though. I don't think he's doing a Pixar movie next.
Pixar is involved in his live action movie, 1906. (I don't know if they're just a financial backer, or if they're exerting any creative control, but it is what it is.)
     
scottiB
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Near Antietam Creek
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 01:21 PM
 
Bird's next flick is the 4th Mission Impossible.
I am stupidest when I try to be funny.
     
finboy
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Garden of Paradise Motel, Suite 3D
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 02:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by exca1ibur View Post
I agree. By far my favorite Pixar movie.
Yep, The Incredibles is amazing. Just plain good.

It's a shame they've kicked the franchise aside.
     
The Final Dakar
Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 02:27 PM
 
I for one am happy with The Incredibles being just a stand-alone fantastic movie. I hope none of you ever bitch about Hollywood's lack of imagination and constant sequelitis.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Online
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 02:59 PM
 
Agreed.
     
ort888
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Your Anus
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 03:06 PM
 
I think it's time for Pixar cross-overs.

I want the gang from Bugs Life to team up with Wall-E to fight the bad guy chef from Ratatouille.

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
The Final Dakar
Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 03:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by ort888 View Post
I think it's time for Pixar cross-overs.

I want the gang from Bugs Life to team up with Wall-E to fight the bad guy chef from Ratatouille.
Not thinking hard enough. Terminator 5: Wall-E is sent from the future to kill the head of OPEC. In the process he accidentally fathers Al Gore and the Internet.
     
hayesk
Guest
Status:
Reply With Quote
Jun 23, 2011, 05:50 PM
 
Since having kids I've seen Cars about 50 times. Fact is, it doesn't get boring. It brings the same level of enjoyment each time. It's not my favourite Pixar movie, but it's not terrible either.

I won't comment on 2 until I've seen it. I've disagreed with critics before.
     
KeyLimePi
Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Baltimore
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 06:09 AM
 
I've been shouted down on this board before for appreciating Cars. It's one of my favorite Pixars (and I'm really tired of all the comparisons to Doc Hollywood, since the fish-out-of-water plot goes back way before Michael J. Fox). That said I'm afraid Cars 2 may have just been something of a potboiler to feed the Disney/Pixar merchandising machine. Here's an interesting bit from a WIRED magazine piece.

"Yet Cars is the largest merchandising franchise at Pixar and the fourth largest at Disney: It’s had an estimated $8 billion in ancillary sales since its 2006 release and continues to haul in around $2 billion a year."

I'll reserve judgment, but my expectations are low. It may just be a tool to sell more merch, but then again I think Pixar is perfectly capable of making a movie that's just average (kinda like Ratatouille).
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Online
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 06:42 AM
 
Heh.

I enjoyed Ratatouille WAY more than Cars.
     
hayesk
Guest
Status:
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 08:04 AM
 
^ me too. But I still like Cars.

Anywhere, here's a review that I think sets the right level of expectations:
Cars 2 :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews
     
Eug  (op)
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 09:37 AM
 
I thought Cars was a bit boring the first time I saw it. However, I found it more annoying than boring. I kept on thinking that it was the first Pixar movie that got Jar Jar Binksified.
     
osiris
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Isle of Manhattan
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 09:59 AM
 
Speaking of Jar Jar... The NYT's review points out that "Pixar has now found its redneck Jar-Jar Binks", which I find disturbing because we all know how well-loved Jar-Jar is.
Pixar’s ‘Cars 2,’ With Larry the Cable Guy and Owen Wilson - Review - NYTimes.com

I'll still see this for the graphics.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
ort888
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Your Anus
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 10:23 AM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Heh.

I enjoyed Ratatouille WAY more than Cars.
Ratatouille is one of my favorites. Right below Incredibles.

My sig is 1 pixel too big.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Online
Reply With Quote
Jun 24, 2011, 10:26 AM
 
Yeah - for me, it ties with Monsters at Tier 2.
     
 
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:11 PM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,