Early reviews for Cars 2 are now appearing on the internet, and since this a release from Pixar, it is no surprise that they are strong. Variety calls it “the rare sequel that not only improves on but retroactively justifies its predecessor, this lightning-paced caper-comedy shifts the franchise into high gear with international intrigue, spy-movie spoofery and more automotive puns than you can shake a stickshift at, handling even its broader stretches with sophistication, speed and effortless panache.” The Hollywood Reporter, meanwhile, says that it’s “yet another Pixar winner.” And when comparing it to the 2006 original, HitFix says that “what it loses in gentle observations about the value of small town life, it more than makes up for in explosions, spy movie conventions bent to comic effect, and more explosions.” Audiences can check out Cars 2 for themselves when it comes rolling into theaters on Friday.