National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Pixar Animation Studios released Cars 2 in June 2011, the studio's twelfth feature film and a direct sequel to the beloved 2006 original. The film marked a significant tonal shift, blending the racing world of Radiator Springs with an international spy thriller narrative. Shot across a globe-spanning World Grand Prix tournament, it remains a visually ambitious entry in the Pixar catalog, notable for its detailed recreation of international locations rendered entirely in animation.

This cell, titled Lightning McQueen Racing, captures three consecutive frames from the Japan leg of the World Grand Prix. Lightning McQueen, Francesco Bernoulli, and Shu Todoroki are visible on track, surrounded by Japanese lantern decor and prominent World Grand Prix signage. The three-frame sequence shows subtle motion progression across the strip, with a circular lens artifact appearing on the right side of the third frame.