My review of CARS 2.

howleyshell · June 2011

I've gotta say that I'm a bit disappointed.

The thing I love about the original CARS is that with the exception of some name calling (and saying "hell") I think it's fairly appropriate for pretty young kids.

Can't say the same for this one and that makes me sad.

1. There's guns. Plenty of guns and shooting. And fighting, smashing into each other intending to do harm and saying they're gonna "kill" someone.

2. The story line was complex for a super young kid. I think the almost 5 yr old followed it well but not sure if the 3 yr old really understood the big reveal of who the bad guy was at the end and what his motivation was for the bad things he was doing. There's talk about fuel sources that's probably over their head.

3. There was drinking in the movie. Granted... it wasn't supposed to be alcohol but it was at a swank party and served in martini glasses (and again at the Wheel Well). I was caught off guard by that and wondered why the heck they would put that in a kids movie when it wouldn't have been a problem to leave it out. I just cringe at making social drinking something viewed as normal for such a young audience.

4. It was LOOOONG. 2 hour run time. That's a lot for a little one - especially in a theater.

Overall it was entertaining and as usual Pixar threw in plenty of humor for the adults. I was just hoping for something more similar to the first and felt like this was for a slightly more mature audience than the first one. It's a full out spy movie. Think James Bond and you'll get a good feel for the tone of the movie (minus the sex scenes of course).

For the 5 or 6 + crowd or those who don't have an aversion to gun stuff where kids are concerned it's a great flick.

For the younger folks they'll love it because Lightning's in it. It's actually more about Mater and he gets top billing in the credits but they'll just love revisiting the gang. But... I don't think it's got the staying power to be an at home favorite at younger ages like the original CARS does due to the complexity of the story line.

Feel free to add your opinions!

UsedToBeGoldie · June 2011

thanks for the review- we'll be skipping it now.

Griffin has never really been that into the Cars movie - but we thought maybe we'd take him just b/c he loves going to the theatre- but i don't want him seeing all that.... i'm trying to keep him innocent as long as possible.

luvmagoldn · June 2011

We are going to see the movie today. From what you've said I think my guys will be ok. But I must say that our boys have seen Transformers and Star Wars already (thanks DH). We are a big cars/Formula 1 racing household so I think the boys will concentrate more on the cars themselves than the other stuff. But we'll see!

mabma80 · June 2011

We're going to see it tonight and the boys are excited about it! Maybe DH is more then they are. I took my oldest to see the new Pirates movie and he loved it!

I did, however, briefly read that some people didn't like it cause it was mostly about Mater. Which is understandable, cause McQueen had his story in the first. Time to share the spotlight. Mater is a very lovable character. : )

MrsHK · June 2011

Thanks for the review. I'm having a hard time finding a good assortment of movies that are appropriate at this age. No luck in assuming Disney cartoons, etc will be. I found quite a few inappropriate references in movies like Shrek. More fun for mom, but certainly things I don't want the boys repeating already.

Our home collection is pretty slim. Though I do love Veggie Tales, mom would like to see something else from time to time.

schnappycat · June 2011

Boo, that's a bummer. But we are going today anyhow. I bought the tickets several days ago, found a sitter for DD, and DS is super excited about his first theater movie. I think it will be ok. Aside from the guns, the other stuff doesn't bother me much. Even if it's all over his head, I think he will like Mater and the other silly stuff enough to hold his interest. I hope he does ok!

franciscaz · June 2011

My husband took Harmon today (his first movie ever for theaters) and he mentioned he thought the message was ridiculously political and he didn't like that they talked about killing and showed killing scenarios with the cars. Harmon loved it but we won't be purchasing it. I worry had he been even a little older this would have disturbed him greatly.

tammy79 · June 2011

Thanks for the review, we were not able to go this weekend, but I think we'll skip it all together now.

shopgirl78 · June 2011

I agree esp with 1,2 & 4. It so wasn't as good as Cars 1. I was disappointed with all the shooting; it was too much and the spy stuff was over my almost 4 year olds head. He loved Cars 1 but asked to leave Cars 2 before it was over (he did get back into it). I would say its for a school age + kid-- not toddlers and preschoolers. I too was disappointed. I guess b/c I had high hopes and Disney/Pixar usually gets it right! Maybe by the time it comes out on video DS1 will be more interested. It seems the 5 + crown enjoyed it (same thing was posted on parenting).

Jaimers375 · June 2011

Thank you for the review. I think we'll wait for the Winny the Pooh movie in 2 weeks. DS really isn't into Cars anyway.

futrkingsley · June 2011

Thank you for this! I haven't seen a review like this yet. DS has not seen any movies yet and I was just starting to think about sharing the first Cars movie with him. He's quite sensitive and easily upset so it wasn't something we planned to do anyway, but I'm glad to have the info in case it comes up.

pea-kay · June 2011

I agree. My boys LOOOOVE Cars (and the Mater shorts that came out too) but they were just bored during the movie. A third of the way through, two of them wanted to go home, and the third was asleep on Granny.

Ah well.

MrsLeanna · June 2011

Agreed. I took DD to see it yesterday and I was so disappointed. She usually has no problem sitting through movies, but she was sooooo bored watching this one. I agree about the violence. I would not let DD watch a movie with shooting, killing, torture, etc so what's different about this one just because it's animated?

clarks415 · July 2011

Thanks for the review. I think I'll be postponing letting my son view it for a while. I am not interested in him seeing the guns and shooting.

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