We all know that the Cars franchise isn’t Pixar’s greatest achievement since it’s known for not being too creative with that universe with uneventful stories. While the first film wasn’t necessarily terrible, it just wasn’t up to par with other animated movies from the studio that standout. However, Cars 2 is an example of an unnecessary sequel that ended up being Pixar’s worst film to date. But did we really need a Cars 3 on our hands when there are better sequels to come out of Pixar’s hands? If there’s any money involved, it might be right.
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast cars, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) finds himself pushed out of the sport that he loves. Hoping to get back in the game, he turns to Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo), an eager young technician who has her own plans for winning.
I don’t think anybody was requesting for a Cars 3 because not only do adults don’t give a dime about this, but it lands with animated movies that have enough sequels as it is. But from the trailers, it made it out be tackling a different story. Though it doesn’t take in the direction that some may think, Cars 3 wasn’t anything to check out right away.
The story is pretty much familiar and it doesn’t really try anything new for what they were going for in the same scenario of any Rocky movie past the first one. It’s basically Lightning trying to come back into the game after an accident that leaves people to think he should retire from racing if he doesn’t beat the new-gen hotshot Jackson Storm (voiced by Armie Hammer, even as a voice can’t get me to like him).
They even took the chance to make it feel like the first film and have its primary focus on racing. Which was a good thing because the second film bashed it up with it involved a ridiculous spy plot to it. This does take a look at someone who’s getting older and doesn’t know if retiring is the right direction to go in.
Director Brian Fee has been involved in past Disney films as a storyboard artist. As this is his first time directing, it isn’t the biggest achievement, but it’s a good first start. The animation was surprisingly a standout with so many scenes look a little real even though we’re in a fake world.
Probably the best scene in the entire film is demolition derby that Lightning and Cruz gets involved in. This lead to something being entertaining and funny that was said that made me laugh.
What didn’t work for me was the humor fall very flat as it wasn’t funny especially the dull first half of the movie just made me think they’re doing it again. At least Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) has thrown into a supporting role and isn’t in this too much, but even this scene was annoying me.
If I had a kid and I took him/her to see this, my kid will likely enjoy it because it’s a family film that’s made towards that demographic. It’s managed to be better than its predecessor because of the story. We know that the Toy Story sequels are great, and we dearly hope Incredibles 2 was worth the wait. It’s just that this doesn’t make me care about anything with these films that should’ve just stop when it was trying to become popular.
Cars 3 served to be the best in the franchise, but it isn’t enough to be an average Pixar sequel that isn’t worth wild.
Grade: C+
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