Cars 2 (2011)

You know, I think I preferred this to the original. This time, the eager young "Lightning McQueen" is goaded by Italian champ "Francesco" into taking part in the inaugural "World Grand Prix". This has been set up by reformed oil gazillionaire "Sir Miles" who insists that the cars must use environmentally friendly, oil-free, fuel to compete. Meantime, unbeknown to our shiny red American, the suave and debonaire "Finn McMissile" is doing his best "007" impersonation investigating a network of international espionage that would make "Spectre" look amateur. Together with his assistant "Miss Shiftwell" they soon conclude that their fate is mixed with not just "Lightning" but with poor old "Mater" - who takes pride in every dent he has acquired to his rusting bodywork over his time with his champion friend. There's loads going on, and unlike the first of this series - I found this to be a much more engaging story with a greater international dynamic to it. The Aston Martin and the Citroën, the Ferrari and the tow truck - all reinforcing the messages of team playing and loyalty as the mystery deepens and "Lightning" and "McMissile" have to race to save the trusty old rust-bucket from a fate worse than a magnetic crusher. I enjoyed this, it's quickly paced with some humour in a script that benefits from the understated delivery of Sir Michael Caine and the enthusiasm of Owen Wilson. Good fun!

Lasseter is smart enough to tell us a completely different story than in the first movie. However, it is far from other titles like "Toy Story" or "The Incredibles".