Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Cars 2 arrived from Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures in 2011, a sequel that pushed the franchise into globe-trotting spy territory, trading small-town Radiator Springs charm for international espionage. It marked a shift in tone for the studio, embracing action set pieces and a secret-agent plot while keeping its core cast intact. Whatever its reception, the film remains a notable entry in Pixar's catalog, expanding the Cars universe and introducing new characters into the world of anthropomorphic vehicles, cementing its place in the larger arc of the franchise's development.
This 35mm cell brings together Finn McMissile and Mater, pairing the sleek British secret agent with the beloved tow truck whose earnest nature drives much of the film's plot. Finn McMissile, a fan favorite for his stylish design and spy-thriller presence, represents Cars 2's tonal departure, while Mater anchors the story in familiar territory. Collectors prize this combination for its encapsulation of the film's central relationship, the unlikely alliance between sophistication and simplicity that fuels the narrative's momentum and humor throughout the adventure.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Cars 2 (2011).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean throughout the visible strip.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along the bottom edge, with a blue-tinted digital data region consistent with a Dolby Digital block strip running between the perforations on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote characters reliably.
Base & colour
The base shows a cyan-blue tint typical of modern polyester stock; the dye image appears neutral with no visible fading or colour shift.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, and the animated content is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
The polyester base tint, Dolby Digital data blocks between perforations, and variable-area optical track combination are consistent with a 2011 theatrical release print.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063515
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
