The name’s Mater, Tow Mater; Cars 2

Cars 2 directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis; produced by Denise Ream; a Disney/Pixar production; 2011.

Everything in Radiator Springs is rejuvenated.  Lightning McQueen has become a racing legend with help from his friends, including Mater.  When the first ever World Grand Prix is announced, Mater talks his friend into participating in the biggest race the world’s ever seen.  As competitors from around the globe gather in Japan to start the race, Mater is mistaken for an agent carrying secrets.  Add disasters for competitors along the racetrack and Mater and McQueen are in for one worldwide adventure.  Picture a James Bond movie starring cars.  Now picture a bumbling Inspector Clouseau joining Bond on a mission.  You’ve got an idea of how the plot will unfold.

At first, I was disappointed by the fast-paced action of this sequel.  I missed the nostalgia and story development of the original movie.  I’ve always fantasized about a lingering road trip along Route 66, so the idea of reigniting attention in a town along the route fascinated me.

But as this impossible mission unfolded, with Mater at the wheel, I was as enamored with the story as the multi-generational audience around me at the theater.  There are plenty of laughs and references for the adults (i.e. “Materhosen”) and the children will thrill to the adventure and near-catastrophes for Mater’s debut as an international spy.  Everyone will relate to the friendship and loyalty shown by all of the characters from Radiator Springs.  Disney/Pixar has once again provided a summer movie that will appeal to the whole family.

Because this year’s summer reading theme @ your library has an international bent, tie-ins with this movie are mandatory!  Librarians could put together a Cars 2 themed reading list recommending books, movies and music about all of the countries Mater and McQueen visit.  Don’t forget to include the dedicated website for the movie (http://disney.go.com/cars/) as there are activities, games, videos and downloads available there.  Hot Wheels also has online racing games: http://www.hotwheels.com/games.

A cool programming or story time idea could be based on the party at the kick off of the race.  I’d read an early reader book based on the movie.  I envision making candy sushi with “wasabi”; games using fuzzy dice; some races using Hot Wheels track and cars; and of course, a variety of Japanese candies and sodas.  (Have you seen the bottles with the marbles?  Check Five Below or World Market.)  Don’t forget, you heard it here first!

Silvertongue on the Silver Screen (and DVD)

Inkheart from New Line Cinema; starring Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent; 2008.

The Folchart family is gifted.  Resa is a talented artist and Meggie, her daughter, loves to write.  Mo Folchart loves to read aloud to his wife and daughter.  It is his gift; more of a gift than he ever imagined, as it turns out.  Mo is a Silvertongue:  Whatever he reads comes alive.  However, whatever comes out of a story has to be replaced with something or someone from our reality entering the book.  Sadly, while reading Inkheart, a character is released and Resa, Mo’s wife, is sucked into the story.  Mo and Meggie travel the globe looking for a copy of the book to read Resa out of the book and back into reality.  what ensues is a rollicking adventure, with characters from The Wizard of Oz, Inkheart and other tales, as well as supporting characters like Aunt Elinore and Inkheart’s fictional author.

Brendan Fraser reprises his reluctant-hero chops as Mo “Silvertongue” Folchart.  Helen Mirren is surprisingly cold and warm (intentionally) as Aunt Elinore.  But the real main character of this movie is Books.  Books can take us to far away lands and distant planets, without leaving our homes, as Aunt Elinore points out.  The PG rating is for fantasy adventure action, some scary moments and brief language.  Overall, it is a fun escape film that the whole family can enjoy.

I wish I had read the book by Cornelia Funke before watching this movie.  How will my reading experience be different after viewing the film?  I prefer to read the book first, however I am frequently disappointed by the film version.  Perhaps seeing the characters alive on the screen will enhance the reading experience.  I realize the surprise of the silvertongue gift has been ruined, but I think I’ll enjoy having the characters fleshed out more (the book is enormous, after all).

I would definitely promote this movie (and the Inkheart series by Funke) during library and reading promotions, like National Library Week or Right to Read Week.  At the beginning of the movie, the narrator weaves us into the story with these words: “Since the dawn of time, storytellers have enchanted audiences with their words. But there is an even rarer gift. There are those, who by reading out loud, can bring characters to life. Out of books and into our world.”  What a great tagline for a library or reading week promotion!

Up, Up, and Away!

Up written and directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson; produced by Disney/Pixar Studios; 2009.

Carl Fredrickson dreamed of walking in the shoes of his childhood idol, a South American explorer.  Like most childhood dreams of great adventure, Carl’s life walked a seemingly mundane path.  Following the death of his beloved wife, Carl decides to take the trip to South America that they had dreamed of making together.  How does he get there?  Why, by tying about a billion helium balloons to his house!  The trip quickly becomes a harrowing adventure when Carl is joined by Russell, a pseudo-scout trapped on the front porch upon lift off.  Carl’s childhood hero becomes a villain.  With the help of a technologically modified canine companion, Carl and Russell foil the villain and discover lifelong companionship.

This movie touched the hearts of the adults in the theater as it illustrated how important it is to take our childhood dreams seriously.  Everyone, regardless of age, laughed out loud at the outrageous adventure Carl has.   In fact, I saw it a second time with three generations of my family, and my father now has a new favorite film.  This movie speaks to all generations.

I would definitely use this as a movie tie in at the library, perhaps including non-fiction titles about South America and hot air balloons in a display or themed box (“if you liked Up you may also like…”).  It would also make a great feature for a Grandparents Day program.