Agreed, both times I went, opening night and a week after, the theaters were packed. The film was met with applause at the end, and 90% of the audience stayed for the credits. I took four of my good friends the first time, and my family the second, and they all loved it.
From what I’ve read on movie review websites and comments, and personally, I think that critics are not cold-hearted who are out looking to thumbs down every film. Critics want to enjoy films, especially Pixar films. As a general film, Cars 2 is probably below average, but comparing it to other Pixar films it is awful. I don’t see what is so bad about comparing Pixar films to one another. It wouldn’t be such a problem if this were an instant classic like Up. I think the real reason why fans want people to view Cars 2 on its own right is because it’s not good enough to be compared to the other fantastic Pixar films (which means it’s a failure on Pixar’s part).
Your cinema session was a contrast to mine - there were a few laughs, but nothing fantastic like the sessions during Up and WALL-E.
Cars 2 has, well, not so much ruined Pixar’s track record (if Pixar figures out what went wrong and they don’t let it happen again), but the film has made us wonder whether more of these films are on the way, and whether people (not Cars fans), can rely on Pixar for a fun AND good movie. The fact is, Cars 2 is critically a bomb (generally speaking, not just cherry picking certain reviewers) on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, and that is a fact. It’s an embarrassment.
It’s funny how when a good Pixar film is released then everyone is all over Rotten Tomatoes, but when it’s a bad film, and it gets bad reviews, the fans say, “oh, they have a vendetta against Cars.” I don’t hate Cars and I don’t even hate Cars 2. I just think it wasn’t up to Pixar’s standard, as a fan, in the state it was released in, and it could have used another year to fine-tune the story, before moving along in the production line. Mater makes for good short films, but an hour and a half of Mater is 1 hour and 25 minutes too long for me.
I have nothing against die-hard Cars fans, myself, as there are pretty enthusiastic fans of a lot of Pixar films. I have a feeling that the die hard fans would have enjoyed any Cars sequels, so perhaps they are not the best judges of whether it is a good film or not.
I’m sorry that I didn’t enjoy Cars 2 as well. Because I really wanted to.
…I never said critics were cold-hearted and looking to be negative.
However, I DO believe that there is an unfair level of bias because it is not what they expected of a Pixar film, and I think every film should be judged on its own merits, not because it fits a studio’s “feel” or doesn’t. If Disney had released this, or - dare I pull this card- if it had been in 2D or at minimum released without 3D and iMAX - I highly doubt the critics would be so up in arms over it.
Heck, they already showed they wouldn’t. A Disney animated film came out recently, was fun, didn’t have deep drama and was made on a pre-existing franchise, and the critics are gushing over it for just being fun and enjoyable, if not perfect. And many are going as far as to defend simple, non-poignant cinema over it.
Disney nor Pixar seems to be looking at Cars 2 as an embarrassment. Lasseter wanted people to have a fun time. Disney wanted to sell toys. They both got what they wanted. If some critics don’t like it, tough. It’s not the end of the world. Especially when the critics are so clearly showing their hypocrisy less than a month later.
Honestly? Seeing how critically, animation has been treated like crud for ages, and pushed into tiny little award categories, and treated like kid fodder, I don’t respect most critics enough to care about their consensus over my personal judgment and how my friends felt with their personal judgment.
Cars 2 wasn’t perfect, but it sure doesn’t deserve all the negative reception it’s getting, and there is clearly some bias in play from the professional critic standpoint, whether you personally enjoyed the film or not.
And, despite that 164 people who are paid to take films apart based on their artsiness had to say on Rotten Tomatoes, plenty of people enjoyed the film, and it continues to get plenty of people to the box office even on the opening weekend of Deathly Hallows.
I guess there are two camps here: one camp feels that Pixar films shouldn’t be compared against other Pixar films and they should be looked at of their own merit and as a general film, and the other camp feels that Pixar films do deserve to be compared against one another.
I suppose if you wanted to do it that way, if I were comparing Cars 2 on its own as a general film, then I’d give it two stars. But if I were rating it with the expectation that it’s a Pixar film (who release films of quality and had a good record up until now), and I will be getting quality, then I’d rate it one star out of five because I expect more from the company, being a fan and all.
But, and I don’t think that some people here are getting this, it’s one thing to compare Pixar films and say which ones you personally feel are better and why. But my argument isn’t about that. My criteria and argument is much simpler. My question is, whether it be any Pixar film, is: does this film live up to the Pixar brand? Does it enhance and strengthen the Pixar brand, or does it take away from it? In my opinion I don’t feel that this film is good enough, nor was it good enough to be released as a Pixar film, and I think that there are other aspects that come into play, such as Lasseter’s role in the company and merchandising, that you may not want realise. Yes, you can say, “If this were a Disney film, you wouldn’t be as harsh!” But it’s not Disney. It’s Pixar. People have expectations from them, and they shouldn’t have set the bar that high if they weren’t confident that they could release films that reached that mark each time (no matter what they film is about or whether it’s a tear-jerker. I don’t care.)
I just think it’s very convenient to dismiss critical reviews and flail your arms about when people are saying that they dislike it, but when the reviews are excellent, you’re cheering.
Of course Disney and Pixar are not going to release a statement that Cars 2 is an embarrassment. That is MY personal opinion that it is for them. It wouldn’t be very good marketing or PR to say that your film isn’t any good. I’m not even sure what that has to do with anything though. This isn’t even about animation or 2D or 3D or IMAX or clay or whatever. I didn’t enjoy this film’s story or the characters or the message (whatever it was). You can have a fun film or action film, but if it doesn’t have a point, then Pixar must be having a different action plan, and good luck to them because it is a bit confusing to me.
So, when it suits you, film critics are paid to pull films apart (like the vultures they are), but when a good film comes out, then lets praise the rotten tomato status because it’s doing really well! I didn’t want to believe rotten tomatoes either, and I went in with an open mind that I was going to enjoy it, but, in my experience, Rotten Tomatoes is pretty much on the mark (if 80% of people recommend it, then it’s 80% of an excellent film).
Having said that, I have no doubt that Brave will be awesome, since JL isn’t directing, and since there isn’t as merch to sell as with Cars 2, the only reason why they could push it through is because it has a strong story, and I’m sure it does.
Of course we’re happy when a film gets good reviews; it means that more people will go to see the movie and it means the film is more likely to win awards down the road. But when a film doesn’t get good reviews, I don’t assume that automatically means it will be a bad film, either.
Yes, I only side with critics when I agree with them. Because as much as I appreciate critics and they can help us look deeper into a movie, what matters the most to me is whether I like the film in question. If critics dislike a film I like, I’m naturally going to dismiss it. I don’t think that makes me a hypocrite: I think that means I think for myself when it comes to the entertainment I enjoy. Does it make a hypocrite to care about a friend’s opinion, but disagree with them when I see something different from them in a situation? Do you stay in a fandom even if its on the quiet side, but rejoice when more people show up? I care about critics because when they like a film I like, I feel less alone. But I’m my own person, and if I am alone in an opinion, its still my opinion.
Nobody is “right” or “wrong” about Cars 2. There is no “right” opinion or “right” critic, and it frustrates me that a lot of the people who dislike the film are insulting the intelligence of people who did. No, we’re not all Pixar’s blind followers. We’re not all Cars diehards. We didn’t all “not get” something the people who disliked it got. We’re people who just happened to have fun at this movie, for whatever reason. If I had to peg a personal reason, I like the characters, and after going through 5 years of depression, I just like some silly laughs without over thinking every once in a while.
You didn’t like it. Great. Awesome. You’re no more or less right than anybody who did like it. As Ding mentioned, it’s subjective. Cars 2 has more merit to it than just a marketing scheme. You don’t need to have a deep, profound reason to dislike something any more than a movie needs a deep, profound reason to be good.
Ok, Netbug, much like other Cars fans, you don’t need to get all defensive when people don’t like the film. This film is more likely to put me into a depression, if you ask me. If you liked it, that’s fine. Like I said many times, that’s great that you like the movie and I’m glad you got something out of it. I wanted to like the film and I didn’t go in there wanting to dislike it, but the fact is that I didn’t enjoy it, and I feel that the reviews that it got were justified, as much as I didn’t want to admit it.
Can you point out where I insulted your intelligence? Or are you projecting your experiences with other people onto me? I don’t think this is the place to victimise yourself as a poor Cars fan. People didn’t like it, so you need to learn to deal with it and take that on board. They, and me, are criticising the film because they care about Pixar and they had high expectations walking into the film. This is a place to also discuss Pixar in general - it is not a fansite where only people that loved the film are allowed to post. And don’t say “and you need to learn to deal with people that do love the film.” Because ever since I posted my thoughts on the film, I’ve had you and Ding jump on me first. If you don’t agree with me, fine. But please don’t make this about yourself because my comments are about the studio and the film, not you.
If you want to ignore the reviews, then ok. But for me, personally, as a Pixar fan, it’s a problem when it is critically not all that successful, and also when I personally didn’t enjoy it. It really isn’t enough for some die hard fans to enjoy the film, because out in the real world, this probably will have an impact on how people view the studio. And I’m not just talking money or box office, because that isn’t the only currency that matters. If this happens again, which I don’t think it will, and I hope it doesn’t because I hope that Pixar will learn from this mistake, then Pixar will not be the reliable company that everyone can rely on for a quality film.
I’m talking about the general “hatedom” towards the movie, not just you. Sorry; I have a tendency to use the term “you” when commenting on a group of people. Didn’t mean to project everything on “you” specifically. ^^;
As for being a bit defensive? I probably am, but it’s getting… kinda hard not to be when the film seems to get bashed constantly. IMO, there’s wayyyyyy too much drama over this movie.
Cars 2 is FINALLY released in the UK this week (yay!), and DigitalSpy, which is the UK’s big showbiz and media news site, has given the film 3/5 
[url]'Cars 2' review
However, without having seen the film but basing on the reviews I’ve read, this line stands out to me:
“Aesthetically Cars 2 is as accomplished as anything the studio has done, but look under the bonnet and the script doesn’t quite have the sophistication to shift into top gear.”
Whoa, guys, settle! I may be a bit late, but i think we should all settle down and just agree to disagree
I can see where pretty much anyone is coming from here, but I’m leaning towards agreeing with Netbug009. A studio like Pixar deserves to make a film for fun, how they want it. There are plenty of charming moments in Cars 2, but it’s just not an emotional story, period.
It’s obvious that Disney pushed for a sequel for merchandising purposes, but clearly Lasseter wanted to make it as well. There was a legitimate reason for this film to be made.
To be honest, I had my doubts about the film going in, even being a huge fan of the first. Coming out, I didn’t really know what to think. It took me two more times before I began to love it. I recommend seeing it again soon, rachel.
Rachelcakes, I just want to apologize for coming off as attacking you on a personal level. I realize that I’ve probably said a few things of questionable mature composure in my haste to defend the movie. As you can tell, I am pretty passionate about it, perhaps a bit too much at times! Anyways, I think that Spongey put it very nicely, we can all agree to disagree, there’s nothing wrong with different opinions. Again, really sorry if I came off as overly harsh or offensive!
No worries, Ding and Netbug. I can see that you are both very much passionate about Cars, and I can understand how you must feel if you adore a movie but then feel like people are attacking it and you have to keep defending it all it over and over. I think a few things that we can agree on, no matter what out opinion is of Cars 2, is that we all have Pixar’s best interests in mind, and we want only the best outcome for them, and that ideally, we would prefer that Pixar is critically successful (on par with the other movies), financially successful, and that we all somewhat enjoy each movie personally as Pixar fans across the board.
I feel frustrated because I feel that the film shouldn’t have been released as is, not only because of the critical reviews (since those reviews are a reflection of how I feel, regardless), but because I didn’t enjoy the film nearly as much as I should have. And I can understand that Cars fans would feel frustrated because they enjoyed the film, and probably can’t understand why the critics didn’t, or perhaps, that the critics are being unfair to the franchise.
But, it would have been nice for Pixar to foresee that the story wasn’t up to scratch, the way it was released, IMO, and worked on it for another year or two, so that they could have had the best of both worlds - a film that is critically successful and a Cars film that pleases the fans.
Tow Mater - I think I will wait until the film is released on DVD before seeing it again. Perhaps I will enjoy it a bit more than my initial viewing, since my first viewing was mostly like, “what is this? This can’t be a Pixar film” so I was shocked at what I was seeing. But I will be watching it a few times, if only to look for in-jokes.
I posted this in another thread, and I guess it is sort of a review:
Okay so I finally got round to seeing this last night! By no means at all is it the best Pixar movie, but I digress, I don’t think it was bad at all.
I’m not a massive fan on the original Cars, but I am in perhaps the minority of people who quite likes Mater, so having a film full of Mater didn’t annoy me too much. I like him because of his loyalty though, and the film constantly ridiculed him…for a purpose, but still. [spoil]The flashback scene before he was tied to the Big Ben felt a little uncomfortable though[/spoil]. The loyalty he displayed to McQueen at the end was sweet, but a bit rushed I thought. I loved all of the different countries and the spy feel, although it annoyed me a little just how stereotypical everything was. So there were things that annoyed me and things that didn’t.
The action was fantastic though, and the script was well written. I absolutly love Finn Macmissile too
I’m sorry for not writing an in depth review here. I thought it was great, not brilliant, and undeserving of it’s RT rating! 
Oh man that part was freaky. 
^^ I know right!?
Hey everyone, I know it’s a little late, but I just got back from seeing the film at the cinemas. To be honest, I’m surprised.
Honestly, I don’t see what the fuss is all about. I can understand why some would consider it one of their weaker efforts (which it was) but a 36% is WAY too harsh on it. I went in the cinema screen alone, expecting to see a cash-in with pointless action scenes and an uninspired story, but it turned out to be alot better than I expected. The action scenes were well done and very exciting to watch. It really kept the film alive. As with their other films, the character animation was fantastic and the scenery really felt alive. The story was a hit-and-miss compared to their others, but it did go somewhere and was executed pretty well.
Alot of people complained about too many scenes with Mater on-screen. I agree, and felt as if Mater was the main character rather than McQueen in some places, but it was really nice to put him on-screen alot and give him more character development, though I wish McQueen would have had more involvement with the whole spy thing, but he seemed to be unaware of the situation for most of the film. It also lacked some heart, since there wasn’t many scenes involving Lightning and Sally, although it did have a good lesson about friendship.
Overall, it’s definitely not one of Pixar’s best, but it was in my opinion, an improvement over the first and doesn’t deserve all the treatment it’s getting. It could have been much, MUCH worse. It was a good spy-film spoof with enough action scenes and plot development to make it worth a look. I also enjoyed the Toy Story Hawaiian Vacation short in front. It was a good warm-up to the main feature.
My advice, don’t believe the Rotten Tomatoes score, and give it a chance. Maybe the critics were just annoyed by the fact that it came right after Pixar’s chain of successful films (Ratatouille, Wall-E, Up and Toy Story 3).
^I’m in full agreement over your review. Very nicely said.
Thanks. I don’t see what was wrong with it. I enjoyed it very much.