We’re ranking the films of Pixar Studios, leading up to the release of Inside Out.

Cars 2
Directed: Brad Lewis, John Lasseter
Writers: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis, Dan Fogelman, Ben Queen

There will not be a great deal of consensus on this list. But there’s little doubt that Cars 2 belongs on the bottom. Cars 2 is the only entry in the Pixar canon that just isn’t good. And even with that caveat, it’s better than most animated movies for kids.

The chief problem with Cars 2 is that automobiles do not make interesting anthropomorphic characters. They’re blocky and boring in both Cars films. But the sequel also has to deal with its unfettered infatuation with Mater, who turns out not to have the goods to carry an entire espionage plot with so many characters that even the cars in the movie don’t know what is going on.

The Cars franchise is the most traditionally kid-friendly of the Pixar family. Cars 2 does have a flurry of gentle, warm lessons for younger audiences. The value of friendship and the importance of being true to yourself really are touching, and Brad Lewis does a fine job accentuating those themes for kids. But if Pixar teaches the world anything, it is that “kid-friendly” no longer works as a colloquialism for “pretty bad movie.”

I suppose if you’re a fan of Larry the Cable Guy, then you’re probably a fan of Mater. But if you’re not, then there’s very little reason to recommend Cars 2.

Best Character: Professor Zündapp

Best Character Name: Professor Zündapp

Character your kid loves but you can live without ever hearing another word from: Mater

Mater’s Best Line: “I wanna remember these dents forever.”

Best Weapon Utilized Under False Pretense: Electro Magnetic Pulse

Ratzenberger: Least Distinguished: The only Pixar film not to be nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards

Return to The Pixar List Landing Page.

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