Cars 3

Year: 2017
Genre: Animated Comedy
Directed: Brian Fee
Stars: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillon, Larry the Cable Guy, Armie Hammer, Ray Magliozzi, Tony Shalhoub, Bonnie Hunt, Lea DeLaria, Kerry Washington, Margo Martindale, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Paul Newman, Tom Magliozzi, John Ratzenberger
Production: Pixar Animation

I probably risk nothing in saying the Cars (2006-Present) universe and its interchangeable characters are the least interesting in Pixar's stable. More often than not the ensemble learns nothing from their adventures, and any lessons that the audience can gleam from under the hood is drowned out by the the franchise's incessant chirpiness. Yet if we close our eyes and pretend Cars is not part of the same studio that brought us Toy Story (1995), WALL-E (2008) and Up (2009), you might just realize that the whole enterprise is actually kind of okay. Cars is by no means great as there are enough problems within three movies to drive a truck through but they're not exactly Maximum Overdrive (1986) either.

Though, that may not be a bad idea...

Cars 3, the latest installment in the toy fran...I mean film franchise, pits #95 Lightning McQueen (Wilson) against a new glut of next-generation racers. Finding himself consistently outmatched by the new up-and-comers, fronted by incredulous showboat Jackson Storm (Hammer) McQueen and his pit crew decide to bet his racing future on an array of cutting-edge training techniques.

Its funny how the narrative arc of Cars 3 feels at once smart and fun while remaining pretty paint-by-the-numbers. Director Brian Fee and his army of screenwriters no doubt sat in a room trying to figure out how to continue this thing and all simultaneously thought to themselves, "hey, don't these character basically line up with nearly every sports movie? Why don't we just do that?" Thus Cars 3 grabs your attention, largely holds it throughout, and delivers on its themes in predictably effective and ultimately satisfying ways.

With a narrative built on a solid foundation, Cars 3 indulges in some fun, that's one part demographic appeasement and one part apology tour. In one sequence McQueen and his trainer Cruz Ramirez (Alonzo) take part in a rough and tumble destruction derby. In another, the pair drive through an alpine forest imagining themselves as runaway bootleggers. New late-addition characters while never given no time to gel, nevertheless enhance the film's folksy appeal. Then of course there's Mater (Cable Guy) who's participation in this film is limited to one day in the sound booth (thank god). All of this points to a series that is willing to learn from its mistakes while still being true to what made it appealing.

The face you have when you feel you're no longer relevant

Now the question becomes, is Cars 3 up to Pixar's standards i.e. being a clever, emotionally resonant and effortlessly timeless classic. Umm, no, not even close. That said if you're looking for a movie that will entertain the kids for a few hours and possibly dull dad's obsolescence anxiety then this movie may just be one for you.

Final Grade: C-