Although CARS 2 is not my favorite Pixar film, the Blu-Ray / DVD Combo Pack is still fun.
CARS 2 is the tale of Lightning McQueen and the incomparable tow truck Mater as they take their friendship to exciting new places, and 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.
It’s not that I don’t find Cars 2 enjoyable, it’s just that I don’t think it’s as captivating as the rest of the Pixar releases. Although it’s stunning, and at times funny, I found parts to be a bit lackluster and dull. Still, it’s not bad. It’s story is just a bit “middle of the road”.
VIDEO QUALITY: MPEG-4 AVC 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer Ratio: 2.39:1
The film looks magnificent! Pixar has high standards when it comes to how their films look, and this is certainly no exception.
AUDIO QUALITY: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Pitch perfect sound makes the action in CARS 2 even more enjoyable! I honestly can find nothing wrong with this impeccable audio.
Although most of the bonus features are limited to the 5 disc 3D combo fact, which is a bit of a disappointment if you love the bonus material like I do. The shorts are fun, and the commentary is interesting. Still, I can’t help but feel cheated. In my opinion, putting the majority of the features only on the 3D combo pack is going to isolate their audience and only make them angry.
Audio Commentary: Directors John Lasseter and Brad Lewis offer their non-stop commentary that is sure to please fans of the film, as well as animation die-hards. They cover production and story development. The whole discussion is engaging and fun.
Toy Story Toon “Hawaiian Vacation” (HD, 6 minutes): Barbie and Ken are a bit sad, so Buzz, Woody and the gang stage a trip to Hawaii for them without ever leaving Bonnie’s room. These shorts are always fun, and this one is no exception!
Cars Toon “Air Mater” (HD, 6 minutes): Produced by Pixar Canada, Mater is up to his shenanigans again with this installment of his Tall Tales.
Sneak Peeks (HD, 10 minutes):
Pixar’s BRAVE
PLANES
THE MUPPETS
LADY AND THE TRAMP Diamond Edition
CARS 2: The Videogame
NAUGHTY vs. NICE
SECRET OF THE WINGS
Although CARS 2 is not the best of the Pixar tales, it looks and sounds amazing on Blu-Ray. Still, we want more features… and not only on the 3D Combo Pack!
OVERALL BLU-RAY / DVD COMBO PACK REVIEW: 3.75 out of 5 stars
TODAY, Disney releases CARS 2 on Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray Hi-Def Combo Pack! In celebration, we present you with brand new Q&A Interviews with Owen Wilson and Larry The Cable Guy!
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.
OWEN WILSON (Lightning McQueen)
Was it easy to step back into the role of Lightning McQueen for “Cars 2”? It felt pretty seamless to return to Lightning McQueen after all these years. In fact, it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. I liked the idea of already having the character worked out, but taking him on a whole new adventure. Plus, I was really excited when John Lasseter decided he was going to direct the movie. It couldn’t have worked out better for me.
What can you tell us about the story of the sequel? “Cars 2” is an action-packed global adventure and we take the crazy “Cars” characters all over the world. There’s also a fun espionage element to the story with the excellent Michael Caine playing a British spy. The movie is a really fun ride.
Where in the world do the characters visit? The gang travels around the world to places like Paris, London, the Italian Riviera and Japan. The thing I enjoy the most about seeing these places is the way the Pixar animators “car”-ify the locations and the buildings. Instead of Big Ben in London, there’s Big Bentley. Different buildings and locations are made up of car parts. It’s amazing to see.
What new characters do we meet in “Cars 2”? The filmmakers did a great job of populating the world with fantastic new characters, including spies Finn McMissile, voiced by Michael Caine and Holley Shiftwell, voiced by Emily Mortimer. One of the fun things about the espionage in the film is that they’ve created lots of cool gadgets for the spies. It makes the movie that much more fresh and exciting.
Are you a fan of spy movies and espionage? I have always been a fan of spy films, especially James Bond. I grew up with Roger Moore playing Bond and my favorite spy movie has got to be “The Spy Who Loved Me” because of the villain Jaws. Jaws was the guy with the metal teeth and he was such a great, iconic villain. I’ve never forgotten him.
What is it like to work with Pixar? As an actor, working with Pixar has been one of the highlights of my career. The standard of excellence that they set is unmatched. It’s great to be a part of something that they’re doing because their movies stand the test of time.
Why do you think Pixar movies are so popular? I think the reason their movies are so popular is that they take on universal themes, but tell stories in such a personal, unique and passionate way. You know what? They never cease to amaze me.
Were you surprised by the success of “Cars”? The success has been incredible. I was in Hawaii recently and an Argentinean family told me that their kids are fanatical about the movie. They watched the first “Cars” 50 times and they couldn’t wait to see the sequel. It’s incredible to work on movies that work their way into the culture the way Pixar movies do.
How much fun do you have in the recording booth? It’s a whole lot of fun in there. You go in with John Lasseter and feed off his energy and enthusiasm. He gives you the context of the scene and you go for it.
Do you ever work alongside your fellow voice actors? No, it’s usually just John Lasseter and me, but I’m fine with that. It’s always great to work opposite someone in live-action where you get something back from your acting colleagues, but this seems to work just as well. It’s not a problem.
Do you get the chance to improvise in the sound booth? To be honest, they have everything scripted so there’s no need to improvise. I’ve added a few lines along the way, but not many. In the original movie, I blurted out the word “ka-chow” and they keep adding it into the script because they like it.
What can you tell us about the DVD and Blu-ray extras for “Cars 2”? There’s a lot of extra material on the discs, including a commentary from John Lasseter and some short films.
Are you a fan of DVDs and all the extras that come with them? Yes, I am. I think it’s great to own the DVD of a movie that you really love, especially when you’re able to hear the director talk about his inspiration and the way that he makes his decisions. I’m a huge fan.
Are you a fan of 3D, too? Yes, I love it. Filmmakers are getting much better at 3D now and it’s amazing to think that “Cars 2” will be released in this format on Blu-ray, too. As a viewer, I used to think, “Geez, how can they improve on HD?” Well, 3D does that. It’s a whole new world.
As a family man, are you looking forward to your son being able to watch “Cars 2” when he gets a bit older? Very much so. I’ve heard they’re building a “Cars” land at Disneyland, so I imagine that will be a fun destination for us in a couple of years.
What goes through your mind when you start working on a movie? The first thing that goes through my mind when I start work on a project is the hope that it will turn out well. You hope people will want to see the movie, enjoy it or be drawn to whatever it was that interested you in the script. Sometimes it works out, but sometimes it doesn’t. Thankfully, “Cars 2” didn’t miss the mark.
LARRY THE CABLE GUY (Mater)
How did you react when you discovered that Mater would have a larger role in “Cars 2”? When I signed up for the sequel, I had no idea that Mater would be the star of the movie. [“Cars 2” director] John Lasseter used a storyboard to walk me through the story during one of my early meetings for the movie and that’s when I first discovered Mater’s role had been upgraded. My first reaction was, “Well, it sounds like Mater is going to have a pretty good part in this!”
Did you have any idea how popular “Cars” would become when you first signed up for the role? When I first got the role, I had no idea that the movie and the characters would become as popular as they did. We hoped for success, but we had no idea what was going to happen. As soon as the first movie was released, I realized we had ourselves a very successful cartoon.
How did you win the role of Mater? When the filmmakers first started work on “Cars,” I got a fax from my manager saying Pixar wanted me to voice a tow truck in their new movie. Mater wasn’t even named Mater at that point. He had a completely different name. I immediately said, “I’d love to be involved.” It was Pixar! Who wouldn’t jump at the chance?
Do you know why they chose you in particular? John Lasseter said he’d been talking to lots of people, but he hadn’t found the right voice for the tow truck in the film. Then he listened to a “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” CD, which is when he heard my voice for the first time. He realized he’d found his tow truck within the first 30 seconds of listening. He apparently said, “That’s him. That is it. Call that guy up.”
Mater has a lot of scenes with a character called Holley Shiftwell in “Cars 2.” Do you know why British actress Emily Mortimer was chosen for the role of Holley? John saw Emily in a couple of movies and I can guarantee you that he also saw her getting interviewed by TV crews and the press. During those interviews, he would have seen her personality shining through. From my experience, I know that’s how he would’ve decided that he wanted Emily for the role of Holley. He hires people because of their personalities and you see those personalities when they’re being interviewed.
Did you get the chance to record any of your dialogue with Emily? Unfortunately, I didn’t get to work with Emily in the sound booth because we always record our voices solo. I don’t think they recorded any of the actors together, which is weird, but it works.
Where did you record your dialogue for the movie? I record all of my audio at Pixar near San Francisco. But if you can’t make it out there, they make it easy and they come to you. For the “Cars Toons,” they came to me in a studio in Orlando, Florida. They are a very versatile bunch.
Do you get to see any of the movie before you record your dialogue? No, we don’t get to see any of the animation. We just walk into the recording booth with John Lasseter and he takes us through everything. He tells us exactly what the scene is going to be like. He sets the mood and he tells us exactly how we should play it. He might say, “In this scene, you’re really excited. You’ve just met so-and-so for the first time and you’re over the moon.” It’s a pretty cool process and John is a master at it.
Were you nervous when you recorded Mater’s dialogue for the first time? When I first started doing the voice for “Cars,” I admitted to John that I was really nervous. This was John Lasseter and Pixar! I couldn’t believe I was part of the project, but luckily he’s very comfortable to work with and pretty soon I calmed down.
What do you think of the animation in “Cars 2”? The animation gets better and better with every Pixar movie. I was amazed when I saw the first scene of “Cars 2” with the water and the ocean. It looks incredible. I have no idea how an animator can make a fake ship look so real, but that’s exactly what they’ve done here. It blows me away every time.
Do you still pinch yourself when you hear your voice coming out of Mater’s mouth? It’s crazy, but I never thought in a million years that I would be able to say that I was in a movie with an actor like Michael Caine. That’s not bad for a kid from a town of 1,200 in southeast Nebraska.
You must be incredibly proud… Oh, I am. I’m over the moon.
Why do you think Pixar is so successful? Pixar is successful because they are the best at what they do. There are lots of animated movies in the world, but a lot of them don’t have great stories. Then there are great stories with bad animation. Pixar does both well. It’s the market leader.
What’s it like to visit Pixar? I love visiting Pixar. It’s awesome. It’s such an amazing place. I told John Lasseter, “Man, I bet you don’t have much of a staff turnover at this place.” He said, “That’s the problem. Nobody wants to go home. People come into work at nine o’clock in the morning, but they’re still here at nine and ten o’clock at night.”
How much of that is because of John Lasseter? I think a lot of it has to do with John Lasseter. He’s a great leader. He has also become a great friend of mine and I love his enthusiasm for animation. He’s always happy about the work. He’s always enthusiastic, and it’s completely contagious. He’s the best.
CARS 2 races to the shelves on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD and Movie Download on November 1, 2011.
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. Bonus features include an interactive “World Tour” map, commentary by Director John Lasseter, and much more!!
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
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.
The complete “Air Mater” short is just one of the extras Available On the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, DVD and Movie Download November 1, 2011. Pre-order here: http://awe.sm/5RORV
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.
“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
“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.
Specifications:
STREET DATE: November 1, 2011 (Direct Pre-book: 8/23 / Distributor Pre-book 9/6)
Feature Run Time: 106 minutes
Rating: U.S.: G/Canadian: G (Bonus Material Not Rated)
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray 3D: 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio (Feature Film)
Blu-ray: 1080p High Definition • 2.39:1 (Feature Film)
DVD: 1080p High Definition • 2.39:1 (Feature Film)
Audio: Blu-ray 3D: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Near Field Mix 2.0
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio ES, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Near Field Mix 2.0
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby Digital EX, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Near Field Mix 2.0 Dolby Digital, English SDH Subtitles
Subtitles: Blu-ray 3D: English SDH Subtitles, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital EX & Spanish Subtitles (US Only), French 5.1 Dolby Digital EX & French Subtitles (Canada Only)
Blu-ray: English SDH Subtitles, Spanish 7.1 DTS-HD HR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital EX & Spanish Subtitles (US Only), French 7.1 DTS-HD HR, French 5.1 Dolby Digital EX & French Subtitles (Canada Only)
DVD: Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital EX & Spanish Subtitles (US Only), French 5.1 Dolby EX & French Subtitles (Canada Only)
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.
CARS 2 races to Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D, and DVD on NOVEMBER 1st
Have a look at the preview for the short, AIR MATER, that will be on the CARS 2 Blu-Ray/DVD.
The complete “Air Mater” short is just one of the extras Available On the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D, DVD and Movie Download November 1, 2011. Pre-order here: http://awe.sm/5RORV
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.
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.
Hey! I kept it clean… Which is more than I can say for Mater! He’s been racing around the world in celebration of CARS 2, and that is bound to dirty up your windshield! So, while he gets some much needed R & R (Rest and Refueling… duh!) WAMG is going to take over the celebration by giving away CARS 2 PRIZE PACKS! Hooray!!!
(Insert Hi-Five’s Here)
WINNERS WILL RECEIVE: (PRIZES SUBJECT TO SUBSTITUTION)
Seriously… Hi-Five this screen or I am not telling you about these fabulous prizes! Go ahead… I’ll wait……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…See! That wasn’t so bad!
– CARS 2 t-shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL
– CARS 2 soundtrack
pass
– CARS 2 set of 3 bumper tickets
– CARS 2 temporary tattoo sheet (2 per winner)
Now that is one roaring prize pack!
(Yes, I am fully aware of the drastic new level of “cheesy” that I just reached!)
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE A US RESIDENT WITH A US MAILING ADDRESS. PRIZE WILL NOT BE SHIPPED OUTSIDE OF THE US.
2. FILL OUT YOUR FULL (REAL) NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW. (E-mail will not be visible)
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION – THE HUMAN RACE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO AUTOMOBILES. WHAT TYPE OF AUTOMOBILE WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
The contest winner will be picked on MONDAY, JULY 4. SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ENTERED BY SUNDAY, JULY3 at 11:59 p.m CST.
Synopsis:
Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) 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 (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). 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.
CARS 2is in theaters now, and presented in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D in select theaters.
Visit the film’s official site here, like it on Facebook hereand follow it on Twitter here.
In CARS 2, Tow Mater gets to leave Route 66 and the confines of his comfy home to go help Lightning McQueen in a big race. Well today racing fans, Tow Mater and Disney•Pixar are helping you by providing free parking at the parking meters around Citygarden in Downtown St. Louis all day in celebration of CARS 2 opening in theatres nationwide! Balloons will be tied to the meters indicating which ones are free for the day! Tow Mater will not be in attendance.
Before you race off to see CARS 2, check out this new music video from the film as well as some new clips
Appearing exclusively with CARS 2, check out this new still from “Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation.”
Set in new owner Bonnie’s bedroom, “Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation” features Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) and Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the rest of the favorite “Toy Story 3” toys as they create the ultimate Hawaiian vacation for Ken (voice of Michael Keaton) and Barbie (voice of Jodi Benson). It seems Ken badly miscalculated their travel arrangements, so the gang has to create a dream getaway in Bonnie’s Midwestern bedroom—in the middle of winter. “Hawaiian Vacation” also features the voices of Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Blake Clark, Bonnie Hunt, Timothy Dalton, Kristen Schaal, Jeff Garlin and John Ratzenberger.
“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation” and CARS 2 will be in theaters everywhere on Friday, June 24th.
Check out these new clips from CARS 2. When star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.
Synopsis:
Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Disney•Pixar’s CARS 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix. But the road to the championship is filled with 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 (voice of Michael Caine). Directed by John Lasseter and produced by Denise Ream, the fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.
Disney-Pixar’s CARS, originally released on June 9, 2006, grossed nearly $462 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Oscars® and one Golden Globe® Award, winning the first ever Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.
Presented in Disney Digital 3D® and IMAX® 3D in select theaters, Disney-Pixar’s CARS 2 hits the track on June 24, 2011.The film marks Disney-Pixar’s 12th feature-length animated film and will be released as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. The Studio, founded in 1986, has earned 29 Academy Awards® and seven Golden Globes®. To date, its 11 feature films have grossed more than $6.5 billion at the worldwide box office.
You heard right! New CARS 2 featurette. Now, I could sit here and give you the ol’ razzle dazzle… or I could just cut to the chase! (Eh… See what I did there?)
Synopsis:
Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Disney Pixar’s CARS 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix. But the road to the championship is filled with 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 (voice of Michael Caine). Directed by John Lasseter and produced by Denise Ream, the fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.
Disney Pixar’s Cars, originally released on June 9, 2006, grossed nearly $462 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Oscars® and one Golden Globe® Award, winning the first ever Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.
Presented in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX® 3D in select theaters, Disney Pixar’s Cars 2 hits the track on June 24, 2011.The film marks Disney-Pixar’s 12th feature-length animated film and will be released as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. The Studio, founded in 1986, has earned 29 Academy Awards® and seven Golden Globes®. To date, its 11 feature films have grossed more than $6.5 billion at the worldwide box office.
Lightning McQueen Takes on 10 Global Champions in the First-Ever World Grand Prix to Determine the World’s Fastest Car
Who’s the fastest car in the world?
If you said Lightning McQueen – you’re not alone. As a four-time Piston Cup-winner, number 95 is a real contender. But can the American compete against international champs like Formula Racer Francesco Bernoulli – the favorite according to racing experts – (and Bernoulli himself)? And don’t forget Lewis Hamilton, the young, but incredibly talented yellow and black GTS car; Jeff Gorvette, the classic, all-American GTS master; and Carla Veloso, the tough Brazilian whose record speaks for itself – they have the guts to give the veterans a run for the title of world’s fastest car.
Indeed, that title is what’s up for grabs in the first ever World Grand Prix – a race created by Sir Miles Axlerod, the infamous oil-baron-turned-environmentalist whose wonder-fuel Allinol will be the sole fuel allowed in the three-country race. Some say the race is merely an exhibition for Axlerod’s clean-burning fuel – but even if it is, the World Grand Prix has drawn the world’s top competitors and is already shaping up to be the race among races. What’s not to like? This race kicks off at night in Tokyo, Japan, cruises through breathtaking Porto Corsa, Italy, with a grand finale through the streets of London.
THE LINE-UP
– Lightning McQueen, #95, USA. Four-time Piston Cup-winner and Hudson Hornet protege says he’s not afraid of international competition.
– Francesco Bernoulli, #1, Italy. The Formula Racer champion is by far the most popular race car in Europe “if not the world”and has little doubt he’ll take the World Grand Prix, too.
– Lewis Hamilton, #2, Great Britain. The young Grand Touring Sports champion is a winner inside and out with unrivaled technical skills and a natural speed ability—but his achievements on the track speak for themselves.
– Max Schnell, #4, Germany. The carbon fiber convert has won more races at Motorheimring than any other World Torque Champion League car in history.
– Miguel Camino, #5, Spain. A veteran of the Running of the Bulldozers, he’s a fierce competitor on the Grand Touring Sport racing circuit, too.
– Raoul ÇaRoule, #6, France. “World’s Greatest Rally Car” – the first car to ever win nine consecutive rallies will dominate on the dirt sections.
– Shu Todoroki, #7, Japan. The Le Motor Prototype and champion of the Suzuka Circuit sports a fiery red Ka-Riu dragon that some say might intimidate the competition.
– Carla Veloso, #8, Brazil. Le Motor Prototype racer with a powerful Brazilian spirit who’s seen success in Europe’s 24-hour endurance racing team.
– Nigel Gearsley, #9, England. The Aston Martin DB9R racer who’s won nearly every start in the Grand Touring Sports circuit, including a string of podiums at Nurburgring and Le Mans.
– Rip Clutchgoneski, #10, Republic of New Rearendia. The Cinderella story of the competition just might put his country on the map.
-Jeff Gorvette, #24, USA. A master of the Grand Touring Sports circuits, his numerous championships make him a respected competitor – and legitimate threat.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Orchestrating a race the size and scope of the World Grand Prix isn’t easy. Fortunately, there was a team at Pixar Animation Studios that was up for the task. Director John Lasseter drove the effort, having experienced the Spanish Grand Prix during the CARS publicity tour. The experience opened his eyes to the power of the sport, particularly outside the U.S. Says CARS franchise guardian Jay Ward, “What people around the world love is formula style racing: open-wheeled, high horsepower, left-right-turn- Chicane-technical-course-type competition.”
Enter characters like Francesco Bernoulli’s a star racecar with a worldwide following. He’s his own number one fan. “Francesco is a fun character,” says producer Denise Ream. “He has a lot of personality and a very high opinion of himself. The interaction between Lightning McQueen and Francesco is fun and entertaining throughout the movie.”
“This guy is so funny,” says Lasseter of Francesco. “He is so full of himself, he’s an open-wheel car and in the car world, an open-wheel car is like those guys who barely button their shirts. He talks about himself in the third person. He’s so much fun. Voicing Francesco Bernoulli is John Turturro and he hit it out of the park. It’s one of the most entertaining characters we’ve ever created.”
Adds Ream, “I really look forward to watching Francesco’s scenes – maybe it’s because I have John Turturro in my mind when I’m watching it, because he is really funny. But I think the character’s going to be incredibly popular.”
Ream had the opportunity to work with a real Formula 1 driver when Lewis Hamilton was tapped for the film. Hamilton was hands on when it came to designing his CARS 2 car. “He was very particular about what he wanted,” she says. “His emblem combines the Union Jack and the flag of Grenada – which is on his actual helmet. He wanted the car to be black with yellow pinstriping, and he picked the wheels. We had a great time sending pictures back and forth and sharing notes.”
THE RACE IS ON
The team behind CARS 2 wanted to get the world’s newest event for racing enthusiasts “the World Grand Prix” just right – even if it meant traveling to some of the greatest race sites and races in the world, hanging out in the pits and riding in a racecar or two. Lasseter and co-director Brad Lewis took a trip in September 2007. “We flew into Italy,” says Lewis. “We stayed in Modena and went to the Ferrari factory and spent a day or two there. Then John and I drove over to Milan and we went to Monza and saw the Italian Grand Prix.”
But that was just the beginning of what would be several adventures. “John insisted that we do extensive research,” says Ream. “We’ve done quite a few research trips, perhaps more than any other film. We went to the Jim Russell driving school in Sears Point – we took the animation department. That was a lot of fun. I also got to go to the Monaco Grand Prix, which was pretty spectacular.”
Several members of the Pixar team took part in Monaco’s Grand Prix practice and qualifying events. “Monaco is the most famous street grand prix Formula 1 racing track in the world,” says Lewis. “It was important for everybody to experience a high-end Formula 1 race.”
“On the way to Monaco, we stopped in Torino,” says production designer Harley Jessup. “We went to the Fiat track there and they brought out a great collection of cars that that we got to ride in with their driver – going 150 miles per hour. It was really fun.”
When it came time to decide just who would race in the World Grand Prix, filmmakers had a lot to consider. “In order for this to be a true international racing decathlon,” says Lewis, “we knew we wanted the best athletes from all the different racing disciplines. But we couldn’t have a cast of thousands and there are lots of different racing forms. So we decided to take a singular champion from the major racing forms.”
They subsequently created their version of the world’s fastest racecars for the film – NASCAR, Formula 1, Rally racing, Le Mans Prototypes, Grand Touring/GT1, GT2 and Deutsche Tourwagen Masters. For the designs of the racecars, the team considered speed, weight, power output and function to create the right look for each racecar.
The result? A race to top all races. “All the gloves are off,” says Ward. “If the best of the best in every type of racing around the world were invited to compete, what would happen?”
“It’s a race of champions in all these different classes,” continues Ward. “We thought, ‘how do we level the playing field?’ And we came up with these courses that basically offered a little bit of benefit to each car. There’s an off-road section so the rally car could just fly down the course and the Formula racer would go really slow in the dirt, but then speed back up on the street. Lightning McQueen is great at both.”
But can number 95 top Francesco Bernoulli? Bernoulli is, after all, the car considered by many to be the fastest car in the world – at least before the World Grand Prix.
And what about Lewis Hamilton, Jeff Gorvette, Carla Veloso and the rest? In a field of 11 champions, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will finish first. And the filmmakers – well, they’re not talking. “We’ve all got our favorites,” says Lewis.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) 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 (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). 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.
John Lasseter returns to the driver’s seat to direct this follow-up to his 2006 Golden Globe®-winning CARS. CARS 2 is co-directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film RATATOUILLE, and produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, UP; visual effects executive producer, “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”). The film hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D® and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.
