It's odd for me to not be excited about an upcoming Pixar movie, but that's the case with Cars 2.  The original isn't a bad movie, but it's not anywhere close to the high bar Pixar sets with its work.  Also, sub-par Pixar is still better than most everything else.  It's possible I'll be won over between now and the film's release date, but a newly-released teaser trailer doesn't do much for me.  The teaser casts the sequel as an action-spy thriller with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) as hapless agents of espionage.  While I'm still waiting to be wowed, I'm sure the kids who bought endless amounts of Cars merchandise will probably go nuts as they see their favorite characters return.

Hit the jump to check out the teaser trailer along with some new concept art and the synopsis.  Cars 2 opens in 3D on June 24, 2011.

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“CARS 2” JETS TO JAPAN – Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new destinations when McQueen is tapped for the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car.  First stop, Tokyo, Japan—where ancient tradition meets modern technology. But like a modern-day Samurai, Mater must play the part of a top-secret spy when he’s unknowingly embroiled in a case of international espionage.  “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

“CARS 2” PASSPORT TO PARIS – There’s no place in the world like Radiator Springs, but Paris comes close!  Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) venture abroad for the first-ever World Grand Prix.  While McQueen focuses on the races, his best friend Mater hits a few detours. International espionage, anyone?  On his top-secret mission, Mater takes the scenic route and manages to see the Parisian sights—including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the famous car-goyles of Notre Dame.  “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

“CARS 2” GOES GLOBAL -- Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) heads overseas next summer to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the fastest car on the planet.  McQueen and his best friend Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) make a pit stop in London, but there’s no time for tea when an international spy plot entangles Mater, and McQueen must race before royalty.  “Cars 2” speeds past the world’s most iconic landmarks—including London’s Big Bentley—and into theaters on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

“CARS 2” TO THE BIG SCREEN—AND BEYOND – It’s an international feast of epic proportions when star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and lovable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) travel to Porto Corsa, Italy, for the first-ever World Grand Prix.  The pair will have to bypass the Italian Riviera’s specialties—boating, beaches and pasta al pesto—as Mater is detoured on a top-secret spy mission and McQueen must race to win against the world’s best!  “Cars 2” hits the track on June 24, 2011, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

Here's the synopsis for Cars 2:

All the world's a racetrack as superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe's fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the "Cars" saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades. While racing through England, Italy and Japan, they face a host of new and worthy competitors. CARS 2 hits the track on June 24, 2011 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.