We got to see an advanced screening of Cars 2 last week. (Or was it the week before that? Time flies.) Anywhoo. It was a 10:00 show. And I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the movies at 10am, but it’s weird. Kinda like being at school at night. Just strange.
I thought it would be the best Asa-movie-experience ever. He loves Lightning and has one of those talking-moving cars from the movie (I don’t know the character because I don’t think I ever saw the first movie all the way through. But it says, “Show some respect, Holmes!” Which makes me laugh.). So, we grabbed some popcorn and booster seats. We sat next to Mandi and her family. We had on our 3D glasses and Asa was loving every second of it.
Until about 4 minutes into the movie. He slides out of his chair (with NO glasses on) and says, “Can we get out of here?” This continued for the next 30 minutes until he remembered, “Oh! I have to go potty!”. That got him out of the movie theatre for a little bit. But basically it was an up and down, lift and lower of Asa between my husband and me.
Of course, when we finally left, he said, “I love that movie. I want to see Cars again.” REALLY?! Well, not until I start lifting weights again! Ow!
It was a pretty fun movie. Really, it was like a for real 007 flick only with computer animated cars. It had some super funny parts with Mater (of course). And I loved the whole car-world stuff, like Holley Shiftwell’s computer and all the cool spy gadgets.
That being said, I don’t know how age-appropriate it was. I know Lydia did not remotely understand the plot (which was about international espionage and oil) . She just liked Mater and the the purple girl car. And she liked sitting next to Mandi‘s 5 year old Evan. (I told them they better get used to supervised dates to the movies!) If your kids are Cars fans or like car chases, gadgets, explosions and funny accents then you need to see this! If you’re looking for something that will make your heart ache like UP or stick with you like Wall-e, then…well, break out your blu-rays and start watching!
However, ever since we saw the movie, Lydia has been saying, “I wish we were having a Cars party for Asa!” There is so much cute stuff at the Disney Store and (of course) on Pinterest that I’m kinda wishing for one, too!
Just look at this:
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Source: creativeworksforchildren.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest
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Source: flickr.com via ohAmanda {impress your kids} on Pinterest
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Yup. I need to do a Cars party.
So, did you see the movie? What did you think?
{Disclosure: I was invited to see the screening for free because I am considered media. I don’t think I was asked to blog about it, I just did because that’s what media do. Does? Hmm..maybe I’m not really a great representation of media!}
I had to stop reading when you said you haven’t watched the first one all the way through. Really?! That is the BEST animated movie ever!!! (Or, perhaps, since I’m from the “land of tiny, dying towns” I’m a little partial to the plot.) Anyhow, I haven’t seen the second one, but my parents took the kids. My mom hated it. My kids didn’t “get it” but said they loved it. lol
Exactly! The plot was like an grown-up movie! I doubt many kids got it. I’ve seen the first movie w/my nephew…but like 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there. I don’t know how I missed it in the theatre…
Amanda, I totally agree with you. My husband and I took our girls, 5 and 3, last week and my 3 year old walked up and down the aisle the whole time. My 5 year old sat still but said that she had no clue what happened in the movie but that mater was “really funny” ! I’m not sure I even understood the plot at times. We are HUGE all things Disney fans but I’m a little confused why they didn’t think about their audience a little more for this!?!?
Yeah, I mean it WAS good. But I think the dads liked it more than the kids!
We took our 8, 6 and 2 year old and they enjoyed it. I found myself a little bored in it, which I never was in the 1st movie, but my husband and kids all really liked it. Regardless, the Cars-themed items are so fun. A Cars party sounds like a great idea- but only if you all wear Mater-hosen!
Mater-hosen! *snort*
I went to the screening without Bunny, and I am glad I did. I don’t know if I’ll be taking her to see the movie. I wasn’t fond of all of the death/kill/torture language used, which was sad because the original Cars is such a family-friendly movie (aside from the “Hillbilly Hell” comment). That being said *I* really enjoyed the film and I think older kids would love it as well. Good thing I have Winnie the Pooh to distract her with in a few weeks.
Yeah, that first scene scared my daughter (of course, she didn’t get the dead car thing). It was definitely full of “adult” themes…only w/cars, so it didn’t seem overtly grown up, you know? I think it’s definitely an older elementary boy movie!
And I actually *am* excited about Winnie the Pooh! I like the silly old bear better after reading the books!
I haven’t seen it but have heard the same things you said, e.g. plot too mature, somewhat scary scenes. I’ve decided against it for our kids but totally love the Cars theme. It would be a fun birthday party.
There was nothing BAD about it, it was just a little OFF. We won’t buy it…well, maybe when my son is 8 years old! I agree w/skipping it for your kids—I’m with Ashley above, just wait for Winnie the Pooh in a few weeks!
I took my 8yo son, who liked it. He didn’t fully follow the story, but enjoyed the spy stuff. Me? I was disappointed. We are HUGE Pixar/Disney fans. Huge. Their stories are usually so well crafted, inspiring a sense of delight and wonder. In Cars 2 I found myself thinking that the story was having to work too hard (bad sign when moviegoers are consciously thinking about the construction of the story!) Clearly, the 007 spy formula was guiding the direction, which brought in a level of violence that is also unexpected from the Pixar world. The animation was stunning, as usual, but story is king, and in this case the story didn’t transcend the level of everyone else’s work, like Pixar normally does.
Bottom line: this is the first Pixar movie I’ve been disappointed with. Fails the ‘I wouldn’t mind hearing this movie played 12 times on a roadtrip’ test.
Trusting this isn’t an indication of a new Disney/Pixar direction over all. Because, again, we are huge fans.
You’re right–the story doesn’t compare w/the rest of Pixar’s stories. The first thing I said when we left was, “Well, it wasn’t UP!” I mean it WAS entertaining, but like you said, it’s not what Pixar usually brings us–stories that stay with you forever.
We were so excited to see it because my son LOVES the first one.
It was the first movie we went to as a whole family and it was pretty much a bummer. My son didn’t like the movie and neither dd my 6&8 year old girls.
In fact, as we were leaving they all said, “I wish we hadn’t seen that movie.”
So I’ve promised to take them to the Winnie the Pooh movie as a family when it comes out.
I think if they’d just tweaked the Car2 movie a bit it would have been fine, but it’s as if they couldn’t decide if it was for kids or grown ups. It was just a bit too much for my kids.
I love the Cars party ideas though!
I agree–it was caught b/w parents & kids. Maybe it was geared for teens?
Dead pent subject material , thankyou for entropy.
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