DVDizzy Forum

39% at RT. I thought it was bad when it was in the upper 50's. I don't think that even when the mass reviews come in that this one has a chance at a fresh (60%) rating. I still wouldn't miss it. Looks like Pixar isn't Perfect though.

SWillie! wrote:

DisneyAnimation88 wrote: To which he could reply "yes, I also directed Toy Story 1 & 2". Even if Cars 2 turns out to be a massive flop, that would still only be one blemish amongst a lot of other huge achievements by John Lasseter.

Or, to which he could reply...

"You're fired."

And it could even be done Donald Trump style.

<a href="http://www.gifsoup.com/view/1922647/you-re-fired.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=1922647&t=o" border="0"></a><br><a href="http://www.gifsoup.com/" title="GIFSoup" target="_blank">GIFSoup</a>

Roger Ebert gives the film a good review!:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... /110629995

Wow, I never thought Id see the day. This movie isn't just rotten, its at 37%. I figured we would see a gradual decline over a series of movies, not a steep drop like this.

At this point I'm just trying to think of Cars as their cash cow and nothing more, their not even ashamed of it at this point. I just hope monsters university doesn't continue this trend of rotten sequels. or even worse, rotten movies in general. (fat chance) Im not going to let this one movie deter my excitement for their other movies in the works, John's trigger happy director firing ego does that for me already to an extent.

Regardless of the reviews I'm looking forward to catching it this weekend. I rarely agree with critics anyway.

Oh my God. FIRST PIXAR MOVIE WITH HORRIBLE REVIEWS! Congrats, Pixar!

And it's from Cars 2! 41%?!?!?! Gee, John? Does that tell you the Cars series isn't meant to be???

BTW: I'm really surprised! It look great in the trailers!

Kyle wrote: At this point I'm just trying to think of Cars as their cash cow and nothing more, their not even ashamed of it at this point. I just hope monsters university doesn't continue this trend of rotten sequels. or even worse, rotten movies in general. (fat chance) Im not going to let this one movie deter my excitement for their other movies in the works, John's trigger happy director firing ego does that for me already to an extent.

Since when was bad Pixar sequels a trend?

And let's remember that preconcepts can often lead to bad reviews. I never got the impression that this would be among Pixar's recent tear-jerkers. Maybe most of the critics were expecting it to be. So long as the movie's entertaining, I'm fine. I felt Hancock was better than it's RT rating, and I personally loved Australia and The Lovely Bones.

Mickeyfan1990 wrote:Roger Ebert gives the film a good review!:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... /110629995

Has Roger Ebert ever given a Disney film a bad review?

ajmrowland wrote:Since when was bad Pixar sequels a trend?

Since Cars 2. I'm not saying it's already a trend but that some might see this as the start of it. At the very least people will be less confident in Pixar sequels after this. Of course only time will tell. We'll have a better idea once Monsters University releases.

It doesn't matter if critical consensus doesn't always line up with general public or you personally, fact is this is looking to be to first Pixar film that isn't going to get near universal praise. It used to be you had a few 'armond white's put there that purposely go against the grain, maybe a handful of others with legit critiques, but there will be a more noticeable divide this time, effectively breaking the winning streak. Obviously their still the studio everybody aspires to work for and be like, but their reputation isn't as spotless after this.

Also don't think it's fair to assume critics need every Pixar movie to be a tear jerker. They want what we want, a good/great movie with characters that entertain us and tell a story.

RyGuy wrote:Has Roger Ebert ever given a Disney film a bad review?

He didn't like Pirates Of The Caribbean 4.

Kyle wrote:

ajmrowland wrote:Since when was bad Pixar sequels a trend?

Since Cars 2. I'm not saying it's already a trend but that some might see this as the start of it. At the very least people will be less confident in Pixar sequels after this. Of course only time will tell. Well have a better idea once Monsters University releases.

It doesn't matter if critical consensus doesn't always line up with general public or you personally, fact is this is looking to be to first Pixar film that isn't going to get near universal praise. It used to be you had a few 'armond white's put there that purposely go shapely the grain, maybe a handful of others with legit critiques, but there will be a more noticeable divide this time, effectively breaking the winning streak. Obviously their still the studio everybody aspires to work for and be like, but their reputation isn't as spotless after this.

Also don't think it's fair to assume critics need every Pixar movie to be a tear jerker. They want what we want, a good/great movie with characters that entertain us and tell a story.

And the thought of Planes a DTV movie series doesn't excite me either...it looks like a good film...not as good as the other 10 movies...I'm counting 10 and not 11 since in my opinion the first Cars was weak...although it has grown on me....I think Pixar would do better to make an Incredibles sequel...I mean...talk about a franchise that could get a tv series (though then that might clash with Disney's new Pal Marvel )

They had better release Finding Nemo on Blu ray since I think my sister took the dvd to college and I can't find it since....although I didn't overly enjoy Finding Nemo either...I know i'm probably in the minority of that...Nemo was a good film...I just thought it got very overrated where A Bug's Life in my opinion is better.


I'm gonna hold my final judgement until I see the move on Saturday....I'm not going to read any spoilers about specifics in the plot...I'm sure some on this forum are right now watching it or getting ready to at the theater...

Also Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) gets mistaken as an american spy.....doesn't sound too far off from his other roles in movies

Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

Tristy wrote:Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

And I thought Jungle Book 2 should'e won an academy award (note sarcasm _

Tristy wrote:Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

He said "Song of the South" should be available to film students however. By the way, I fully disagree with him.

milojthatch wrote:

Tristy wrote:Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

He said "Song of the South" should be available to film students however. By the way, I fully disagree with him.

You don't think Song of the South should be available to film students?

Wonderlicious wrote:

milojthatch wrote:Did it get released in New Zealand before the US? Lame! Kind of ticks me off how many US films are getting releases outside of the US before finally being shown in the US. Call me crazy, but I just think a films country of origin should get to see it first, or at least as the same time as every other country.

Oh, you're just jealous.

Dang straight! ;D

milojthatch wrote:

Wonderlicious wrote: Oh, you're just jealous.

Dang straight! ;D

Look at it like this... even if everything was released all over the world on the same day, the US West Coast/Hollywood would still be among the last in the world to get to see it, due to the time zone factor and its location relative to the International Date Line. (Just something I thought of while watching Cars 2 at midnight Central US Time, when I realized I was getting a 2-hour head start on the West Coast)

Tristy wrote:Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

He also didn't like Chicken Little. Not to mention Inspector Gadget, Mr Magoo, My Favourite Martian, Blank Check, Herbie: Fully Loaded and many other Disney films, if we include the live-action productions. But he definitely has a major appreciation for their animated works.

enigmawing wrote:Regardless of the reviews I'm looking forward to catching it this weekend. I rarely agree with critics anyway.

Well said and I agree. Critics are just people with opinions. I really enjoyed Cars 2 so as far as I'm concerned, Lasseter and Pixar's reputations have NOT been "tarnished".

Here are some early thoughts after one opening night (at midnight, in 3D) viewing. I will put spoilers in white:

I really liked the movie, but not as much as the original. That's not a knock, though, as the original is my NUMBER TWO Pixar film! (yes, I'm one of the rare UDers who doesn't rank it last). The original tugged at my heartstrings more, and touched me very deeply. And while I agree with RIPJoeRanft that you can have a good movie without this, I also agree with Milojthatch in that the movies I tend to remember and prefer the most are the ones that touch me the most deeply with their "heart".

I should stress, however, that Cars 2 is NOT a soulless film without heart - it had its warm and sweet moments. It just didn't touch me as deeply as the first.

But there is plenty to like about Cars 2. I found myself laughing out loud several times during the movie. I enjoyed being able to spend some time in the world of these beloved characters once again, and the settings in Japan, France, Italy, and the UK were beautiful and brilliantly realized.

As is the case for almost all DACs and Pixar films, I enjoyed it enough for a second or even third theatrical viewing, and to own it on DVD. After one viewing, I'd place it my 7th fave of the 12 Pixar films - very respectable, considering the competition. This could move up or down a few places after a few more viewings, although I think it's safe to say that it won't crack my Top 4 or bottom 3.

Here are a few more random thoughts below, with spoilers in white. Since I deliberately avoid reading about anticipated movies before they come out, I knew almost nothing about the plot before seeing it, other than what I saw in trailers:

I really got a kick out of the Brent Musburger cameo (as Brent Mustangberger), filling in for Bob Costas from the first film. He even got in one of his trademark "You are looking live" during the telecast of the Italy section of the race.

Although Lightning Mc Queen is in the film throughout, Mater arguably plays an even bigger role in the story.

I was sad that Doc Hudson's character was apparently killed off (he is referred to as being no longer with them, or something like that). Kind of odd, because cars wouldn't really "die" unless they blew up or something. Even a bad engine can be replaced, and the same with other bad parts.

I enjoyed the International flavor of this one. It was really nothing like the original in many ways, so no one can accuse them of just retreading old ground. Although, part of the charm of, and reason I liked the original so much, was because of Radiator Springs and it's residents, who all had a much smaller role in this one, except for Lightning and Mater. I was surprised Sally had such a small part. Perhaps if they do a "3", we'll get to spend more time in Radiator Springs again.

The spy plot was interesting, although it unfortunately took a lot of attention away from the race itself. One thing that I liked about the first film was the developed rivalry between "The King", Chick Hicks, and Lightning. In the sequel, I would have enjoyed seeing more of the race - more of the rivalry between Lightning and the Italian car, and also to have developed more info about some the other racers, and more racing footage - and letting this play out to the conclusion of the race in the UK sequence.

I enjoyed the scene where Guido and Luigi get to visit their homeland, Italy! Really charming. There were so many amusing, charming little details in the foreign locales and some fun in-joke/references.

estefan wrote:

Tristy wrote:Roger Ebert also didn't like Squanto: A Warrior's Tale, Treasure Planet, The Jungle Book 2, Home on the Range and I know mentioned being glad that Song of the South has been barred from DVD release.

He also didn't like Chicken Little.

Then again who did?