Cars wasn’t the most enormous of Pixar’s blockbusters when it was released in 2006, but when it comes to merchandising, the budding franchise continues to be a veritable windfall. Consider the trailer for Cars 2 a catalogue in motion, then, and a preview of what you’ll soon be buying for your son/nephew/collector uncle. In this installment from the increasingly sequel-happy Pixar (and don’t forget, Monsters, Inc. 2 is on deck for 2012), talking automobiles Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) travel overseas for the World Grand Prix, an opportunity for James Bond high jinks, plenty of cultural misunderstandings perpetrated by two cars with Southern accents, and a hell of a lot more toys: Cars with missiles! Cars with Michael Caine’s voice! Planes! It’s got everything, except for Pixar’s newfound Best Picture compatibility. (Surely, the studio will cry into its money.)
