‘Cars 2’ Fun for Kids Despite Plot’s Curves

Toddlers love to play with Cars merchandise, so when Cars 2 roared into the new , I wasn’t sure my elementary-aged boys would enjoy it. I expected them to tell me the movie is for babies.

To my surprise, they did enjoy it, but not because they understood it. That’s right. The Pixar movie was a head scratcher.

The film commences with a new cast of cars speeding around on oil rigs in the middle of the ocean. The adult audience may wonder how the scene will relate to the hot-shot McQueen, and the juvenile audience may wonder when the recognizable characters will appear along the straight roads of Radiator Springs.

The story’s focus is curvy. It weaves James Bond elements with a conspiracy to foil alternative fuel set against a World Grand Prix that shifts among international destinations. And while Lightning McQueen does enter the race, he takes a backseat in the overarching plot.

The film is salvageable, however, thanks to the endearing Tow Mater. This is his rusty story, and as he grapples with self-realization and how others might perceive him, we get the cinematic “look in the mirror” moment that drives straight to the heart. His dilemmas about loyalty and the courage to be his authentic self are good talking points for children and parents after the movie. Of course, Tow Mater’s trip to the Tokyo bathroom is also fodder for giggles.

This plot is too much. It’s as though Pixar made a list of neat-o concepts and used all of them. Children need a straight road to follow, a clear throughline. This plot has too many blind curves for them to navigate.

Despite the story arc, the kids really enjoyed the humor, Tow Mater and the 3D experience. If you go, give them the context for big oil and undercover operatives before you buy the popcorn.

Carrie Keyes will review movies showing at the Village Theater. What else is coming to the Village this summer? Look out for Carrie's thoughts on Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Cowboys and Aliens.