Growing Pains: In the wake of Finding Nemo 2, just what is phase two of Pixar animation, and is it something to fear?

Is Pixar as we know it finished?  Has a fifteen-year run of uniformly fine cartoons given way to an act two filled with half-hearted misses and needless sequels?  It's a somewhat sensationalistic argument, but the timing is not a little disconcerting.  Andrew Stanton, fresh off the epic financial failure that is John Carter (which in many ways can be considered a Pixar live-action venture), is now back at Pixar to helm the sequel to one of his animated hits, a sequel that arguably no one was asking for.  And Pixar, fresh off a critical disaster (Cars 2) and a somewhat middling original effort that was supposed to restore their luster (Brave), is now set to make a sequel to their most popular film, a sequel that arguably no one was asking for.  

Finally, a Pixar film that won't make you cry: Cars 2 gets photo, synopsis.

I was not a fan of the first Cars (it was a remake of Doc Hollywood with the sensibility of something like A Shark Tale), but the merchandise still sells like gangbusters and a sequel was inevitable. I'm attending the birthday party of a cousin down in Yucca Valley and I assure you that Cars 2 is the most heavily anticipated film in their household. Anyway, in case the Kirshmans are reading this, here's the first official still and an official synopsis. Sounds like one long car chase, but I'm sure it will look nice. And, frankly, I'm sure my wife will be relieved at being able to watch a Pixar film without getting depressed and/or becoming a teary mess. Thanks to heyyouguys.co.uk.

"Synopsis: Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors."