CARS 2
Release date: November 1, 2011
Blu-ray version (some materials may not appear on the DVD version)

“Cars 2” has raced onto Blu-ray, featuring an all new story centered around the characters Lightning McQueen and tow truck Mater, not the brightest headlight in the bunch. A few of the previous characters make brief appearances, and there are a few scenes in Radiator Springs, but “Cars 2” has set out to be a completely different and unique film than the original. In fact, it’s raced into a completely direction and even genre of film.

“Cars 2” is a parody of James Bond-type spy movies. Mater moves from supporting cast to star, as he finds himself in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell. Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe.

As for BONUS FEATURES, there’s the DIRECTOR COMMENTARY, featuring John Lasseter and Brad Lewis and a couple of animated shorts.

If you love the “Toy Story” films, you’ll love the hilarious TOY STORY HAWAIIAN VACATION (5:50). While some of us may have thought that “Toy Story 3” would be the end of “Toy Story,” “Hawaiian Vacation” was a pleasant surprise. Released theatrically with “Cars 2,” this featurette is as fresh and entertaining as “Toy Story” ever was.

AIR MATER (5:22) is the latest in a series of “Mater’s Tall Tales.” This story takes Mater to the wild blue yonder, in an unabashed plug for the 2013 direct to video film by DisneyToon Studios, “Planes,” based on the world above “Cars.”

There you go. If you were looking for what you’ll find on the Blu-ray of “Cars 2,” I hope I’ve steered you in the right direction!