Les bagnoles 2

Hélas, bien qu'émaillée de bons moments, l'intrigue s'éparpille. Après un prologue électrisant en haute mer, le scénario verbalise parfois lourdement les nombreux enjeux dramatiques (l'importance de l'amitié, l'acceptation de soi, etc.) traités sans grande originalité.

Si le film est une totale réussite sur le plan de l'animation, il sème, au cours de ses innombrables courses automobiles, ce qui fait l'âme de la boîte de production : ses histoires originales et riches en émotion s'adressant aux enfants et aux adultes.

Non, le long métrage fonctionne et il fera des ravages au box office, sauf que le charme n'opère plus comme avant.

En transportant leurs personnages aux quatre coins du monde, ils ont réussi à faire de Cars 2 une suite qui, à défaut d'être mémorable, se révèle du même calibre que l'original.

This may be the first Pixar movie which doesn't really work on an adult level. Part of their genius has always been the ability to craft complicated stories which work in many different ways, providing entertainment for people of all ages, all at once. Cars 2 only really works on fourth grade level, and while it does that level very well, it's limited.

Even as recent Pixar films have benefited from increased simplicity and modulation of mood and effect, Lasseter keeps Cars 2 running at close to the red line from start to finish with nary a pit stop to refuel.

Though many of the visuals are winningly vibrant and sleek, what is lacking here is Pixar's most notable characteristic: a compelling, clever story and boundless heart.

The sequel is a tire-burning burst of action and fun with a beating heart under its hood. OK, I'm not sure Cars 2 needed all that fancified 3D, but you can bet it'll rev your engines.

Cars 2 is certainly built to move merchandise - this series may surpass even the Toy Story films as an effective advertisement for licensed playthings - but it is notably lacking in soul or sublimity.