Cars 2 (Blu-ray) (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Animation	Menu Animation & Audio Audio Commentary-Directors John Lasseter and Brad Lewis Short Film-Hawaiian Vacation Short Film-Air Mater Trailer-Promo for Cars 2: The Videogame More…-Bonus DVD System Setup-Setting up your TV display and home theatre audio
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	107:01 (Case: 106)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Disc Set	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Language Select Then Ads Then Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	John Lasseter Brad Lewis
Studio Distributor	Pixar Walt Disney Studios Home Ent.	Starring	Larry The Cable Guy Owen Wilson Michael Caine Emily Mortimer Eddie Izzard John Turturro Brent Musburger
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	?	Music	Michael Giacchino Stephen Schaffer Jay Shuster

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 (4608Kb/s) English DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 (6912Kb/s) English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 (320Kb/s) English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (320Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.40:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	2.40:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English English Descriptive Audio	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

"Going where no car has gone before"

     When animation supremoes Pixar create another feature you assume that you’re in for a treat, but following on from the classic Toy Story 3 was always going to be a difficult task. In the second Cars movie we see the return of champion race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) to his home town of Radiator Springs after winning his fourth Piston Cup. He meets up with his beaten up old tow truck friend Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) who is overjoyed at being reunited with Lightning, however now there is a third party in the mix – Sally (Bonnie Hunt), whom Lightning understandably wants to spend some time with. Later that evening Lightning learns of the plans of millionaire Miles Axelrod (Eddie Izzard) to sponsor a World Grand Prix of racing to promote his new electric vehicle and alternative fuel called Allinol. A confirmed entrant in the Grand Prix is the braggart Francesco Bernoulli (John Tuturro) who dismisses Lightning’s talents as a race car. This prompts Lightning to enter the competition with his pit crew made up of Sarge (Paul Dooley), Fillmore (Lloyd Sherr), Luigi (Tony Shalhoub), Guido (Guido Quaroni) and also, as a concession to Sally, his old friend Mater.

     The first race is in Japan so Lightning and the crew jet over to tour the sites in preparation for the race. At this point it becomes clear that this racing event is more than it seems with secret agent Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and trainee spy Holly Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) hot on the trail of some sinister goings on which seemed to be linked to evil Professor Zündapp (Thomas Kretschmann), and Axelrod’s plans to produce his Allinol fuel. After an eventful race which Lightning loses to Francesco due to miscommunications and skulduggery, Mater leaves the team only to become further involved in undercover work with Holly and Finn. The spy trail leads on to Europe with Porto Corsa in Italy as the next race venue. There the intrigue escalates as McMissile, Shiftwell, Mater and Lightning battle wits with Zündapp, his evil “lemon” henchmen, and a mysterious mastermind.

     Cars 2 is undoubtedly a fast, flashy and fun film, however there is a something missing which is hard to define. About half way through the viewing my impression was that it just lacked soul. Whereas Toy Story 3 pulled all the right strings, Cars 2 is ultimately an over the top James Bond 007 parody with the main characters, apart from Mater, relegated to supporting roles. Even the brilliant Michael Caine isn’t allowed to shine apart from his opening sequences which are terrific. Perhaps producing a sequel around what was only a modestly performing original movie was always doomed - nevertheless I suspect that if it wasn’t for Pixar’s elevation of the bar to exceptional levels Cars 2 would have been a huge success. Ultimately however it falls short - although I dare say the kids and a lot of adults (but not this one) will love it.

Video

     This Blu-ray is presented in the cinematic aspect of 2.39:1 using the MPEG-4 AVC codec at 1080p. As you’d expect from Disney and Pixar the video presentation is exceptional with no video artefacts to speak of. The colours are bright and vibrant, the blacks are deep and well defined and the definition is outstanding. I just can’t think how you’d improve the visual experience with current technologies. The attention to detail is mind boggling with even tiny background objects being meticulously crafted. The Pixar animators are to be congratulated on what is clearly a labour of love. This is the sort of movie that makes you never want to buy a standard definition DVD again.

     This is a dual layer 50gb disc but I could not see the layer change using my equipment.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     As per the video the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track included as default is excellent with extensive use of surrounds and subwoofer. It is only surpassed by the included 7.1 option which for some reason is not the default and could therefore be easily missed. There is also a Dolby Digital 2.0 at 320 Kb/s option with Descriptive Audio information. The car racing scenes in particular are especially dynamic and the dialogue is always crisp and easy to understand. The overall ambience of the soundscape never drops and yet is never intrusive with diagonal effects and subwoofer thumps superbly supporting the on-screen action. Basically everything the sound designers did in this movie worked – and worked exceptionally well. The accompanying backing music is appropriate and in theme with the motoring subject.

     This audio track is reference quality.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

     The menu featured looping audio with animated background.

Audio Commentary

     Directors John Lasseter and Brad Lewis comprehensively cover most aspects of the production and creation of Cars 2 with non-stop commentary and obvious enthusiasm.

Hawaiian Vacation (5:53)

     HD 1.78:1 video aspect with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio at around 3,300 Kb/s, 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio at around 5,000 Kb/s or descriptive audio Dolby Digital 2.0 audio at 320 Kb/s. Animated short with Toy Story 3 characters including Buzz and Woody staging a trip to Hawaii - without leaving home. Pixar shorts are always great and this is no exception.

Air Mater (5:25)

     HD 1.78:1 video aspect with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio at around 3,300 Kb/s. Mater takes to the skies in this second animated short amongst the extras.

Sneak Peeks (0.32)

     HD 1.78:1 video aspect with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio at 640 Kb/s. Promo for Cars 2: The Videogame.

Maximise Your Home Theatre

     1.78:1 video aspect. Video still based calibration guide to setting up your TV display and home theatre audio.

Bonus DVD

     2.39:1 video aspect. Audio options are Dolby Digital EX 5.1 at 384 Kb/s and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s audio for the visually impaired. Extras are limited to Air Mater and Hawaiian Vacation. The overall technical quality of this DVD is certainly up there with the best standard definition can offer but pales when compared to the Blu-ray version. Nevertheless it's a handy addition for times when a Blu-ray player isn't available.

     This Blu-ray appears to be identical to the region 2 UK version and the US version apart from language options with the US version also having some extra movie trailers. Also available is a five disc combo with 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy. Apart from 3D the latter package has further extras including set explorations, deleted scenes, short documentaries, interactive map, and featurette Sneak Peek of Cars Land. Locally available is also a 3D Blu-ray/Blu-ray, and digital copy combo. If you are really keen and must have all the extras then importing the five disc combo is certainly an option otherwise the local product is fine.

     Cars 2 in Blu-ray is a wonderful endorsement for high definition media with a flawless video and audio presentation. For me the movie itself was not so satisfying although many will receive great enjoyment from the antics of Lightning and Mater. The kids will not follow all of the plot (well at least I struggled), but will be entranced by the sounds and hypnotic action with rarely a quiet moment on offer. Overall I’d class this Blu-ray as a "must have" if you have young kids, or good for a rental otherwise.

     The video quality is outstanding. The audio quality is outstanding.

     Extras are good but meagre for Blu-ray.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall