Cars 2 in 2011 and series of Cars shorts

[DisneyJedi]

Because I feel like whether a film isn't done in his own style, he fires the director, as we end up getting a watered-down "Pixarised" version (i.e. all action, little (he)art).

... What?

He's quite like Miyazaki on that respect. Firing renowned directors simply because things he didn't like their style.

What?!

[SWillie!]

What are your "whats" for? That's a very commonly held belief about Lasseter. Whether those are the real reasons why those directors get the boot, and truly how much of a hand Lasseter puts into these films, is still questionable.

But, given the facts, I can understand why one might not agree with things. BUT I think Lasseter has proved that regardless HOW he's doing it... he's doing it. And he's doing it damn well. So I'm happy with him.

[toonaspie]

Because I feel like whether a film isn't done in his own style, he fires the director, as we end up getting a watered-down "Pixarised" version (i.e. all action, little (he)art).

I think we're getting somewhere. The thing that I find waaaay too noticeable in projects like Bolt, Tangled, and the Prep and Landing shorts is that watered down Pixar style in the comedy and characterization. Granted regarding the heart, it's there but at times feels quite forced. It's a play-it-safe formula but not really bold. The latter is what Disney films have really been lacking since the Disney Renaissance.

[estefan]

Well, they say that Cars 2 is the #1 animated film of the year. To be honest, I think that's kind of a major understatement.

They're referring to its box-office. Domestically, Cars 2 is the highest-grossing animated film of the year. However, worldwide, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the highest-grossing animated film.

[disneyboy20022]

Because I feel like whether a film isn't done in his own style, he fires the director, as we end up getting a watered-down "Pixarised" version (i.e. all action, little (he)art).

Yeah...that's how Christopher Saunders left Disney.....would American Dog have been better than Bolt? Who knows. Didn't Christopher Saunders want to do American Dog in 2D, the same for Tangled (Rapunzel) was supposed to be 2D, Lasseter didn't like it and changed it. Would it have been better story? Who knows....of course now those outtakes on Pixar Films are finding their way into other Disney Films....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FG6JuoUoN4o" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[sunhuntin]

OMG, that was classic. it was nice to see mufasa so un-refined and regal for a change. hahaha.

[DisneyJedi]

Well, they say that Cars 2 is the #1 animated film of the year. To be honest, I think that's kind of a major understatement.

They're referring to its box-office. Domestically, Cars 2 is the highest-grossing animated film of the year. However, worldwide, Kung Fu Panda 2 is the highest-grossing animated film.

What, because Cars 2 performed better here in the States?! If it weren't for worldwide numbers, it wouldn't have even recouped its budget of $200 million! Yeah, you heard me. Without the worldwide numbers, Cars would probably a flop.

I swear, if this movie ends up winning the Best Animated Feature Award, chances are that nobody will hear the end of it. Pixar NEEDS to know that they can't always win.

[estefan]

I swear, if this movie ends up winning the Best Animated Feature Award, chances are that nobody will hear the end of it. Pixar NEEDS to know that they can't always win.

I highly doubt Cars 2 will win. The reason Pixar has won the category so many times is because their films are usually the most acclaimed of the year, animated or otherwise. Not the case this year. Heck, even the first Cars was beat by Happy Feet and that was a weak year for animation.

I don't think it's even getting nominated. Rango, Rio, Winnie the Pooh, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots and even the motion-captured Tintin are more likely to get nominated than Cars 2. And even if it does manage to get a surprise nomination, it will still be beaten by the likes of Rango or Tintin.

[Dr Frankenollie]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FG6JuoUoN4o" frameborder="0"></iframe>

I usually find outtakes/bloopers rather cringe-worthy, but those weren't too bad. It's good that all the characters featured were 'on-model.'

[ajmrowland]

estefan, mocap is out of the loop now.

edit-saw your post in the oscar thread. disregard this.

[PixarFan2006]

Watching this earlier this week (even with the skips on the disc) made me realize how bland this was watching it in the theaters back in June. The jokes were as flat and unfunny as I remembered (especially the state farm joke). Mater is still as annoying and uninteresting as ever. Mixing the spy plot with the racing plot is what I think ruined the film overall (aside from making Mater the star, of course). The parts in Tokyo were probably the best parts IMO.

Sorry, guys. I usually love everything Pixar makes, but, to be honest, this one was just a mess. Yeah, the animation may have been decent, and I know it's supposed to be a kids film, but I think they needed to work more on a better script instead of making the cars look as shiny as possible. The likelihood of this getting an Oscar nomination come February is slim.

6/10

[dvdjunkie]

I really think that most of you are not even giving Cars 2 a fair shake. While I agree that it wasn't one of the better Pixar films, it was still enjoyable. I try to not take animated films too seriously, and the fact that this was Pixar/Disney film trying to make a statement about our dreadful need for foreign oil to survive, I thought all the characters were really used well in the film. Some of the jokes are flat, as stated, but I have watched "Cars 2" six times in the movie theater, and at least that many times since I brought it home on Blu-ray.

The original "Cars" had so much heart, and was such an endearing story about friendship, it is really hard to figure out what Lasseter was trying to do with the sequel. If we weren't at all familiar with the characters, this movie would have been absolutely terrible. I thought that the slight story about the "bad" guys trying to "kill" the good guys bothered me just a little bit. I thought the animation was fantastic, and the way they condensed each countries best known landmarks was quite unique in a "toony" way.

If they had spent more time on giving us a tour of each of the cities they visited and had their 'country-fied' opinions about each city that might have made the movie a little more popular.

I don't hate "Cars 2", I just think that it could have been a lot better had they taken more time to expand on what they were trying to do in the first place.

I will stand on my beliefs that "movies are our best form of entertainment" and if the movie entertains me, then I am satisfied that I haven't wasted my money seeing it.

[disneyboy20022]

Now if Mars Needs Moms gets nominated.......that would get me POED. I think we can all agree Cars 2 is a lot better than Mars Needs Moms, though that doesn't take much....


I like Cars 2 for what it is. It's fun and entertaining. It's an interesting spin on Cars Death. Also in the first Cars, Fillmore talked about a government conspiracy involving organic fuel VS fossil Fuel......Is it one of Pixar's best, probably not. Is it an enjoyable film. I think so. It's truly in the eye of the beholder of who likes it, or hates it, or so so likes it etc

[Sotiris]

Q: John, critics were mixed on Cars 2. Given Pixar’s incredible run, did that disappoint you?

John Lasseter: I make movies for the audience. I think of the audience every single day. It’s so important to entertain them and take them away. I don’t ever want to disappoint them.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/h ... tin-275984

[DarthPrime]

I didn't like Cars 2 much in the theater. Although I admit I was tired, etc... when I went to see it, so that may have had some impact on my enjoyment of the film at the time.

Anyway I recently picked up the 3D combo from Amazon and watched it last night. I enjoyed it a lot. Sure its not Pixar's best, but it was an enjoyable film. I have a feeling if it didn't have Pixar attached to it, it wouldn't have gotten as much negative response.

[blackcauldron85]

I have a feeling if it didn't have Pixar attached to it, it wouldn't have gotten as much negative response.

I enjoyed the film a lot, but what you wrote is the point that critics had: because it has Pixar attached to it, they expected it to be even better than the original Cars...Pixar = unparalleled greatness to everyone...

[Barbossa]

Apparently there's a new Cars Toon short out called Time Travel Mater, about the founding of Radiator Springs.

[DisneyFan09]

I have a feeling if it didn't have Pixar attached to it, it wouldn't have gotten as much negative response.

I enjoyed the film a lot, but what you wrote is the point that critics had: because it has Pixar attached to it, they expected it to be even better than the original Cars...Pixar = unparalleled greatness to everyone...

I don't think the critics expected the sequel to be better than the original. Otherwise, I agree with you; Cars 2 was a great movie. I'm not afraid to say it. It wasn't perfect, but it was still highly entertaining and fun.

[Sotiris]

I just watched "Time Travel Mater". It was OK. I've never been a fan of the Cars franchise but the short was decent.

[FigmentJedi]

The next short in the Cars Toons series will be "Mater Private Eye".

Source: http://pixartimes.com/2012/06/27/disney ... rchandise/

That's an old one, was part of the Tall Tales DVD release. Disney Store's just getting merch now of it though