Summer Movies 2011: Animated Sequels and Franchise Reboots

2011's pre-summer and summer releases feature a handful of big franchises of animated movies. Two of them are sequels, while the other two are franchise reboots of classic cartoon series. Three boasts of 3D releases, while the other one keeps its traditional animation look and feel.

"Kung Fu Panda 2"

The martial arts-driven panda Po returns to the big screen in "Kung Fu Panda 2." The plump, wide-eyed panda joins his fellow Kung Fu masters for another challenging journey by facing fearsome villains threatening to use a secret weapon of destruction to destroy Kung Fu and the rest of China. This 3D animated blockbuster invests on a star-studded cast, which includes Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and David Cross reprising their roles from the first movie.

It may have an overused storyline, but its treatment and execution retain the first movie's original charm, especially in terms of comedy and visual sparkle. Kinetically thrilling, its action scenes are effectively goofed up to tickle the funny bones. Interestingly, the film's director Jennifer Yuh Nelson is the first woman to solely direct an animated feature for a major Hollywood studio.

"Cars 2"

"Cars 2" comes out as the 12th feature-length animated movie from Pixar Animation Studios -- in celebration of the company's 25th year in the industry. John Lasseter returns to the directing chair for his second "Cars" movie. Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Larry the Cable Guy also return to lend their voices for the characters Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Sally Carrera, and Mater.

Showcasing the World Grand Prix with a number of old and new automobile characters screeching to the big screen, this film releases in 3D format and it fills the story's championship and espionage route with a number of potholes, detours, and surprises. While the original "Cars" wasn't really the best and most-loved Pixar movie, the main point is that, ultimately, Pixar hasn't really made a "bad movie" to date.

"Winnie the Pooh"

"Winnie the Pooh" attempts to keep its original look and feel with a 2D presentation that brings viewers to the nostalgic past of movies using traditional animation. Directed by Stephen Anderson and Don Hall, this film features another ordinary day in the Hundred Acre Wood until Pooh and his friends try to save an abducted friend. This latest addition to the "Winnie the Pooh" motion picture offerings features a new cast of voices including Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, and Zooey Deschanel.

This film relives the classic feel of cel animation. It marks the fourth Disney release serving as a sequel to one of the studio's "Disney Animated Classics." The organic look of its hand-drawn animation is a welcome treat after the many years computer animation has consistently ruled the theaters.

"The Smurfs"

The popular 1980s cartoon series "Smurfs" gets a 3D makeover in the summer movie "The Smurfs." This franchise reboot showcases a live action-animation 3D movie directed by Raja Gosnell. It features Smurf voices courtesy of Jonathan Winters, Katy Perry, George Lopez, Alan Cumming, and Anton Yelchin. Meanwhile, its main live-action talents include Neil Patrick Haris, Jayma Mays, and Sofia Vergara.

This movie lives up to the use of the hilarious Smurf language, which frequently uses the word "Smurf" and its derivatives. The blue forest dwellers from the franchise offer a blast from the past as they travel from their magical world to the land of people, specifically in the middle of Central Park. They must find their way back to the Smurfs Village before the evil wizard Gargamel catches them.