CARS 2 races into theaters everywhere in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D this Friday, June 24th! As if you needed a reminder!

In the sequel to the much-loved CARS, star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, but… Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage! Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). 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.  The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

Doesn’t that sound exciting? Last weekend I was able to treat my little brother to an advanced screening of Cars 2. He was excited – nervous, even – about going to his first “media event” and I was thrilled to have two hours sans kids! Now, that’s not saying the movie isn’t great for kids. It is. I can’t wait to take Maya this weekend! We’ll be in Mexico, but it’s being released their on June 24th, too. And I already promised she’d see it on opening day! The only difference is it will be dubbed. Shhhh! We’ll see how that will go over with her LOL.

What did I think of CARS 2? It’s James Bond for the kiddie-crowd! Action-packed and funny, there are definitely parts that will go over kids’ heads, as I could hear all the adults in the theater laughing. I can’t say that I liked the sequel more than the original, but it is thoroughly entertaining. Making an animated film that is just as enjoyable for kids as it is for their parents is a huge challenge, but Disney/Pixar always steps up to the plate!

The new characters are awesome. Finn McMissile is hot, as far as cars go, anyway! I could listen to Michael Caine all day. I miss Sally (she appears only a couple of times), but girls have a new car to be obsessed with – Holley Shiftwell. She rocks. There are sooo many other new characters, but our old favorites are back as well! I can just imagine how Cars crazy holiday toy shopping will be…

Final verdict: I didn’t leave feeling all warm and fuzzy like I did after watching the first Cars (or Toy Story 3), but I’ll definitely watch Cars 2 again. And again. And again, judging by how much my kids loved the original. There’s so much to see and take in in the sequel – and it’s so fast-paced – I can’t imagine watching it only once! Disney/Pixar’s target audience with Cars 2 is ages 7-12, and I think that is just about right.

To take the fun of Cars 2 home with you, Disney/Pixar has created an awesome activity pack for kids! Printable mazes, soap box dragster activities, t-shirt designs, a Radiator Springs play set and much, much more! You can download it here. Lots of fun on these super hot days that you’re stuck indoors!

More more information about the movie:

• Visit the official CARS 2 website: Disney.com/cars
• “Like” CARS 2 on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarCars
• Follow Disney Pixar on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

You’ve probably seen the trailer already, so instead of posting that here, this is a funny video with various clips of the film. Makes me want to see it all over again!

WIN IT!

Now you didn’t think that activity pack is all I had to give away, did you? One lucky TDB reader will win a fun CARS 2 prize pack, consisting of a youth size t-shirt, pictured to the right, a set of 3 bumper stickers, 2 tattoo sheets and a puzzle! To enter to win, just leave a comment below telling me who your favorite CARS or CARS 2 character is.

For extra entries:

• Subscribe to my feed by feed reader or email (or let me know if you already do). 1 entry
• Follow me, @ohMariana, on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway one time using the Tweet button below, or copy this: Cars 2 premieres on 6/24! Win a Cars 2 prize pack (t-shirt, tattoos, bumper stickers & puzzle) https://ohsohungry.com/?p=13630 #TDB – 1 entry
• Like The Domestic Buzz on Facebook. 1 entry

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary screening of CARS 2, but all opinions are my own. The giveaway prize is provided by Disney, and contest will end on July 1st, 2011 at midnight EST. US and Canada entries only, one person per household. Leave a separate comment per entry and a valid email address. Winner, chosen at random, has 3 days to claim their prize.