CARS 3

“Cars 3” revs its engine, showing that the sputter of “Cars 2” is now in its rear-view mirror.

Disney-Pixar’s original “Cars” in 2006, was not an immediate hit with critics when compared to other now-classic Pixar films like “Toy Story,” but the nostalgia of Route 66 coupled with the flashy-guy-becomes-humble storyline really seemed to resonate with audiences to the tune of more than $244 million. 

However, five years later, “Cars 2,” seriously challenged that audience goodwill by nearly derailing the series with an off-road plot involving tow truck Mater and a top-secret mission, and many seemed to think the Cars series had sputtered to a disappointing stop.  “Cars 2,” although much less favorably supported than its predecessor, surprisingly went on to make $191 million dollars, and, perhaps, more importantly heralded Disney’s first movie-themed land.  

Cars Land, a 1.1-billion-dollar expansion of the Disneyland-area property, opened in 2012 and continues to garner rave reviews for its meticulous, real-life replica of Radiator Springs, the fictional village depicted in the original “Cars.”  And with 9 million-plus visitors to Cars Land yearly, the tangible version of Lightning McQueen’s adopted home appears to have done much to excite the populace and influence Disney-Pixar to get the third “Cars” film back to its original formation.

“Cars 3” reveals a more mature Lightning McQueen (voiced again by Owen Wilson), as #95 finds that he can no longer lead the pack against the next generation of rookie racers, particularly the slick Jackson Storm (voiced by Armie Hammer).  Storm, a futuristic, custom-built race car, who trains on advanced computer simulators, is much like the rookie McQueen once was: self-involved, narcissistic, and arrogant.  In response, during one race with Storm, McQueen pushes himself to the limit for an all-out competition, but ends up crashing terribly, forcing him to leave the world of racing to convalesce. 

McQueen, although now unsure of his future in racing, is called back to train in a state-of-the-art facility by Mr. Sterling (voiced by Nathan Fillion), the new billionaire owner of his old sponsor, Rust-eze.  There, McQueen, the most-senior racer of the Rust-eze team, meets his new trainer, Cruz Ramirez (the engaging Cristela Alonzo).  Cruz sees the “older” #95 as someone who must be eased into training very slowly while McQueen just wants to get immediately up to speed for the next big competition against Storm at the Florida 500.

“Cars 3” works because it taps into the poignancy of nostalgia that was the series’ original hallmark.  However, while “Cars” traded on the feel-good remembrance of the glory days of cross-country motorcar travel, “Cars 3” emphasizes the individual importance of legacy and the vitality of connection with others.  Its look-back reminds the audience to take note of the important relationships throughout their lives, a most apropos message for the families who see this film (particularly on opening Father’s Day weekend). McQueen, eventually, works to find a balance between desire to win and self-acceptance, leading to a notable ending that nicely rounds out the trilogy.  “Cars 3” is recommended for families and is a solid runner-up for the franchise.