Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Cars 2 arrived from Pixar in 2011 as the studio's sequel to its 2006 hit, shifting the franchise into espionage territory with a globe trotting plot that sent Lightning McQueen's world into international racing circuits and spy intrigue. Directed by John Lasseter, it marked a departure in tone for the series, leaning into gadgetry, humor, and a faster pace, while still drawing the merchandising and collector attention that made the original Cars a licensing phenomenon. It remains a notable entry for how it expanded the property beyond racing into a broader adventure format.
This cell centers on Finn McMissile, the suave British secret agent car who became one of the breakout personalities of the sequel, appealing to collectors drawn to his gadget laden design and spy lineage. Pairing his name with Mater in the cell's designation points to the mistaken identity thread that drives much of the film's plot, where Mater is pulled into Finn's world of espionage. A cell built around this pairing captures a defining relationship of the story, one that fans of the character seek out specifically for its narrative significance.
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 complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; punching appears clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along one edge, accompanied by what appears to be a Dolby Digital data-block strip in the inter-perforation zone on the same edge; a blue-tinted waveform band is also visible along the opposite edge, consistent with a DTS timecode track.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote any text or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight blue-teal tint consistent with modern polyester stock; dye image reads as neutral with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks, or prominent scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with a release print of Cars 2 (2011).
Era check
The combination of polyester base, Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, DTS timecode track, and variable-area optical track is consistent with a theatrical release print from the 2010s era.
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 000063517
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
