I loved Cars. I thought it was one very funny movie and have watched it many times. I collected a bunch of the die cast Cars toys until so many were produced that it was really hard to continue to keep up. That and pay three times the price of a Hot Wheels or Matchbox car for one with eyes. When Eva was old enough we introduced her to the Cars movie and she also enjoyed it. She plays with my Cars toys and knows the characters. So, when the Cars 2 movie came out we were very excited to see it. That trip to the movies was a debacle. There was lots of crying. “Why did those loveable cars start shooting at each other?”

While Cars 2 was an entertaining and frenetic movie it was such a departure from the first movie that it was upsetting. The movie went from being about learning to rely on friends and understand that you need people to have a good life to a spy movie complete with guns and cars being tortured and executed. What happened to the fun light hearted movie about a race car. There was a race in this movie and actually Lighting McQueen takes a back seat to the buck toothed buffon tow truck Mater in this movie. Mater is misaken for a spy and is pursued by a criminal car organization of lemon cars like Gremlins, Yugos and other failures. Mater eventually teams up with a British Intelligence officer called Finn McMissile and his partner Holly Shiftwell.

The movie felt like taking all the silly stuff that Mater did in the first movie, punching it up and then forgetting about what gave Cars its heart. I was disappointed in this movie. I could have done without the violence and torture and killing and rather enjoyed a movie about racing and how McQueen dealt with being a hotshot in the states to having to prove himself all over again on the world stage. A much better movie could have been made that stayed true to the characters in my opinion. The bright shining part of the movie for me was the cameo by Bruce Campbell. He was great but the scenes with him and what happened to his character was part of what bothered me most about the movie overall.

Cars 2 comes out on DVD & Blu-ray and movie download on November 1st. Here are moer details of the release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The #1 Animated Film of the Year Races Home!

Hits The Streets November 1, 2011 On Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD and Movie Download

Features Exclusive All-New Pixar Animated Short “Air Mater”

“Hawaiian Vacation” Animated Short and Hours More Exciting Bonus Features

Take Audiences on a “World Tour” with the Artists and Filmmakers

BURBANK, Calif., August 18, 2011 — Disney•Pixar’s fast-action summer hit “Cars 2” comes home on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, Movie Download and DVD — November 1, 2011. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pixar Animation Studios, the high octane in-home release invites families and fans of all ages to come along on a journey around the world with the #1 animated film of the year and introduces an exclusive all-new animated short “Air Mater,” featuring the fan favorite character spinning his tales in an exciting adventure high above Radiator Springs. The must-own animated release also includes fascinating commentary from award-winning director John Lasseter and “Hawaiian Vacation,” the delightful animated short that accompanied the film in theatres.

The immersive “Cars 2” bonus features include an one-of-a-kind interactive “World Tour” map that takes viewers through nine different locations, including those featured in the film and more. A global thrill-ride, it allows viewers to go behind-the-scenes with the Pixar artists and filmmakers as they circle the globe finding inspiration for the most international of all Pixar films to date. “Cars 2” is also the first Pixar film to be released in spectacular Blu-ray 3D.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, returns to the driver’s seat as director. “Cars 2” is produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, “Up”; visual effects executive producer, “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith”). Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Up”) provides the electrifying score with a surf-rock-meets-spy-thriller flavor and a variety of global accents, evoking a sense of thrills, mystery and emotion. Brad Paisley, Robbie Williams, Weezer, French singer Bénabar and Japanese girl band Perfume lend their diverse musical talents to the film’s soundtrack.

The film features an all-star vocal cast including Owen Wilson who reprises his role as hotshot racecar Lightning McQueen. Larry the Cable Guy provides the voice of Mater (proprietor of Tow Mater Towing and Salvage), Lightning McQueen’s best friend and the heart and soul of Radiator Springs. Bonnie Hunt is back as Sally, the baby-blue Porsche 911 Carrera whose motor races for Lightning. Acclaimed actor Michael Caine makes his Pixar debut as Finn McMissile, a top British spy who mistakes Mater for an undercover American agent with a genius disguise. Emily Mortimer brings charm, cleverness and cachet as Holley Shiftwell, a rookie field spy who knows every trick in the manual. Versatile actor John Turturro gives a free-wheeling performance as Francesco Bernoulli, the world-renowned Italian racing champ who is Lightning’s chief rival. Tony Shalhoub, Joe Mantegna, Peter Jacobson, Jason Isaacs, Eddie Izzard, Paul Dooley, Cheech Marin, John Ratzenberger, Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave also lend their vocal talents. Real-life Formula 1 racing champ Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon add a touch of authenticity with their cameos in the film.

“Cars 2” is available in-home in several ways:

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• Director John Lasseter Commentary

2-Disc DVD Combo Pack (1 DVD + 1 Blu-ray Disc)
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• Director John Lasseter Commentary

5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray 3D Disc + 2 Blu-ray Discs + DVD + Digital Copy)
Suggested Retail Price: $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• Director John Lasseter Commentary
• “World Tour” Interactive
• Sneak Peek: The Nuts and Bolts of ‘Cars Land’

11-Disc 3-Movie Blu-ray Combo Pack “Collector Set” – “Cars 2,” “Cars” and “Mater’s Tall Tales”
Suggested Retail Price: $119.99 U.S./$134.99 Canada

“Cars 2” (1 Blu-ray 3D Disc + 2 Blu-ray Discs + DVD + Digital Copy)
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• Director John Lasseter Commentary
• “World Tour” Interactive
• One Die-Cast ‘John Lassetire’ Car

“Cars” (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD + Digital Copy)
Bonus Features: All Bonus Features Currently Available for “Cars”

“Mater’s Tall Tales” (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD + Digital Copy)
Bonus Features: All Bonus Features Currently Available for “Mater’s Tall Tales”

1 Disc DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• Director John Lasseter Commentary

Movie Download
Suggested Retail Price High Definition: $39.99 U.S./44.99 Canada
Suggested Retail Price Standard Definition: $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

• Cars Toon “Air Mater” – Exclusive All-New Short
• Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” – Theatrically Released Short
• From the ‘World Tour” Interactive Feature – “Emeryville,” one of nine destinations offered on the 5-disc set as well as the 11-Disc “Collector’s Set”
• “Bringing Cars 2 To The World” – Available only on Movie Download, it presents a special behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar artists and filmmakers make movies in over 40 different languages for audiences around the world to enjoy.

Film Synopsis:
Star racecar Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell. Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

Social Media:
Those who would like to stay connected with the exciting “Cars 2” release are encouraged to:

• “Like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pixarcars
• Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/disneypixar
• Visit the website and mobile site: www.Disney.com/cars

About Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs:
To provide consumers with unprecedented quality, value and portability of their favorite Disney classics, in 2008 WDSHE pioneered the Combo Pack – a Blu-ray DiscTM plus a DVD in a single package. Current Disney titles available in market as Combo Packs include “Bambi,” “Fox and the Hound,” “Mars Needs Moms,” “I Am Number Four” and “TRON: Legacy,” to name a few.

About Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

My First Car….
Step back in time as the cast and creators of “Cars 2” reveal their fun tales, interesting facts and amusing stories about their very first car.

JOHN LASSETER, DIRECTOR OF “CARS 2”
“I have always loved cars. I grew up in Southern California and my father was a parts manager at a Chevrolet dealership. I spent a lot of my youth at that dealership. My first car was a 1969 Toyota Corona. It wasn’t a Corolla; it was a Corona. I loved that car. It was great. It kept me going for ages and it was so easy to work on. If it broke down, you could just fix it. It was the perfect first car for me.”

OWEN WILSON, THE VOICE OF LIGHTNING MCQUEEN
“My first car was a blue Chevrolet Blazer. My parents bought it for me when I was 16 or 17 years old and I was so thrilled to finally have a car. I grew up in Texas where everything is spread out, so you needed a car to get around. Plus, you feel a huge sense of independence when you finally have your own vehicle.

I took the Blazer to USC [the University of Southern California] with me, but it didn’t last too long. In fact, I wrecked it driving back to Dallas after my first year.

My parents didn’t want me to drive straight through from Los Angeles to Dallas, but I kept saying, ‘No, I’ll be fine.’ I drove straight through and because I was so tired I had an accident and my car went off the road. Nobody was hurt, but the car was totaled. I learned my lesson well.”

LARRY THE CABLE GUY, THE VOICE OF MATER
“The first car I ever drove was a 1969 Formula Firebird. It had a double hood scoop and glass packs and it was the last of the big 400 [horsepower] engines. I think I was 19 years old at the time and I loved that car. It was awesome. It was metallic blue and I thought it was the best thing in the world. I haven’t always been successful with cars. I’ve had a couple of lemons in my time, too. I had a 1995 hunter green truck that had to have the transmission fixed about every six months. It was a complete pain in the rear!”

EMILY MORTIMER, THE VOICE OF HOLLEY SHIFTWELL
“My first car was an old 1960 Saab that my father-in-law constantly jokes about.

When I used to drive it around town, he would comment about how you needed a tetanus shot just to get into it. It was full of old, half-eaten sandwiches, soda cans and lots of rubbish. I’m not allowed to drive anymore because my husband tells me I’m a very unreliable driver. We live in New York City and I’m always trying to tell him that a car would help us, but he’s not convinced. It’s such a shame because I really want a car.”

JOE MANTEGNA, THE VOICE OF GREM
“I carry a picture of my first car around with me wherever I go. It’s a 1947 Buick and it’s the wallpaper on my cell phone. It’s a beautiful car. I bought it in 1967 and I still own it to this day. I take it to car shows and it has actually won a few awards. I’m lucky that I live just down the street from George Barris. For those of you who know cars, George Barris created the Batmobile, the Monkees’ car, and the Munsters’ car. When I was a teenager, he was a god among car enthusiasts, so I’m very happy that we got to become friends.”

MICHAEL CAINE, THE VOICE OF FINN MCMISSILE
“The first car I bought was a Rolls Royce, but I couldn’t drive it because I hadn’t passed my driving test at that point. Let me give you some background on it…

I’d just come into a bit of money after breaking into the business, so I thought to myself, ‘I’ll learn how to drive in this.’ Unfortunately, the insurance company had other ideas. They said to me, ‘No, you won’t. You aren’t going to learn to drive in a Rolls Royce!’ In the end, I got a chauffeur instead and didn’t drive until I went to Los Angeles a number of years later.”

EDDIE IZZARD, THE VOICE OF SIR MILES AXLEROD
“My first car was a blue Mini Cooper. My dad always said to me, “You can’t buy a cheap car; it never works out.” I didn’t listen to him, though. I hitched a ride back to university from a guy in a Mini. It was pouring with rain and there was water leaking into the foot-well of the car, but I didn’t care. The driver said to me, ‘I’m selling this car’ and I asked him, ‘How much do you want?’ He said, ‘Fifty quid [approximately $75].’ So I bought it and then I had this piece of junk for a car, but it was a wonderful piece of junk. When I left university, I drove it down to London but you could tell it was coming to the end of its life. I tried to sell it, but the axle broke when a potential buyer took it for a test drive.

We got out of the car and the front wheels were pointing at each other. I still had the temerity to ask him, ‘So what do you think?’ He didn’t buy it.”

CARS 2 – “Getting Behind the Wheel” Bonus Clip

ACTIVITY PAGES

Disclosure: I received a copy of the Cars 2 movie on DVD and Blu-ray to review. The opinions of the movie are 100% mine.