"Cars 2" is Fast and Furious, But Not Pixar Worthy

Well I never thought the day would come, but Pixar has finally come out with a movie that is not perfect.  Whenever I discuss the superb studio, people normally say that Cars is either the only film from Pixar that they haven't seen or they haven't enjoyed.  It even has the lowest overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 74% which isn't bad, but not exactly up to par with the rest of the animation studio's work.  Now, unfortunately, the sequel has become the most poorly reviewed film for John Lasseter and Co. to date.  Let me add on to the criticism.
Unlike most people I've talked to about the first Cars, I am a fan of the homey and nostalgic picture set in fictional Radiator Springs.  Even if I were not, I'd have to learn after building remote control versions of the main characters at the Disney Store for 7 months.  Cars 2, however, abandons this idea of a simpler time and the town in general and focuses almost entirely on action and gadgetry.  The opening sequence follows a new character, Finn McMissile, voiced by Michael Caine, who is actually very cool and probably the best part about the film.  We watch him on a Bond-like mission that is basically what the real secret agent would do in a sports car given the situation.  It has missiles (obviously), bombs, guns, and can even turn into a submarine.  This was all highly entertaining, but no Pixar movie has ever started off like a typical Hollywood action flick.  The rest of the film is no different.
Lightning McQueen and Mater are still best buds, although they get into a fight when McQueen is just about to win the first race of the World Grand Prix headed by Miles Axlerod, who has come up with an alternative fuel for cars, and Mater distracts him while accidentally caught up in a secret mission.  Thus, Mater becomes a spy because he is assumed to be a dumb tow truck undercover.  Now the film focuses solely on Mater along with the new characters McMissile and Holly Shiftwell.
I don't understand why Larry the Cable Guy would ever be cast in a Pixar film, let alone any film for that matter, but he is one of the main reasons why Cars isn't as well reviewed as Toy Story or any of its predecessors.  It is hugely popular though and probably attracts those living in the midwest.  Nevertheless, the character of Mater may touch the audience's heart at times but he comes across as too stupid.
Cars 2 works as a spy/action movie and would most likely be appreciated a lot more if it were from a different animation studio that can never seem to accomplish the acclaim that Pixar receives, but the fact that it lacks the impression of its other works is what makes it mediocre.  At least these cars don't transform though.  It concludes with a message like the others do, but it simply does not have the same effect.  You'll probably be entertained, but won't care for the characters like you did in last summer's Toy Story 3.  Luckily, there is an animated short involving Woody and the gang before Cars 2.  That alone is worth the price of admission.