Tomorrow, the long-awaited Cars 2 will light up silver screens throughout the country.  For years parents and children alike have been waiting to see what crazy antics Lightning McQueen and Mater would get into next.

Cars 2 offers a more sophisticated story line than the original.   In this film, Lightning McQueen and his pit crew take Mator along to the World Grand Prix, a race that brings the planet’s best race cars together for a world title.  Along the way, Mator gets mistakenly wrapped up in a James Bond-style spy caper and we meet two shiny new characters, Finn McMissle and Holly Shiftwell.  Finn and Holly are British spies with lots of fun spy gadgets that my sons thought were oh-so-very cool.

On the surface, the concept for the movie is great, and there is a sweet, understated tribute to the late Paul Newman (the Hudson Hornet) at the beginning.  Lightning is clearly more mature than the race car met at the beginning of the first movie and Radiator Springs is humming along now that it is home to the famous Piston Cup winner.  Mater’s take on all things international is silly, as expected, and the scene in Luigi and Guido’s home village in Italy is endearing.  The animation is well done and the backdrops of Italy, Japan, and England are fantastic.

Cars 2 lacks the emotion and charm of the first movie and offers audiences a more sophisticated and mature film complete with fiery explosions, gun fights with sprays of bullets, and an intense seen in which the bad guys want Lightning McQueen “dead.”  Because some families prefer to steer their children away from these themes and images, I think it important to note their existence in this review.  I was pretty surprised by the intensity of the film and by the end both of my boys–who we shelter from such themes and images–were in my lap.

All in all, Cars 2 will be a sure-fire hit this summer.  Lightning McQueen and Mater are iconic characters that all kids adore and it is doubtful there’s a kid around who won’t be asking mom and dad to take them to the movies this weekend.  Personally, I think the movie is most appropriate for children 6 or 7 years and older.  I also think teens will love it, as it will allow them to enjoy characters they loved as kids with a more adult story line complete with stunts, explosions, and a bit of mystery.

If you and your family are huge Cars fans, stop by and enter to win Cars prize pack by clicking here.

On a really, really happy note, the Toy Story short before the movie is FANTASTIC!  In the short, Woody and the gang help Barbie and Ken realize their dream Hawaiian vacation.

Images used by permission of the Disney Studios.  Thank you to the Disney Studios for the opportunity to see the movie with my boys.