Film: Cars 3

GENRE: Animated

RATING: G
RUNTIME: 1 hours and 49 minutes

STARRING: Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Zoolander)

Cristela Alonzo (Cristela – TV show), Chris Cooper (American Beauty)

DIRECTOR: Brian Fee (newcomer)

WRITERS: Kiel Murray (Cars), Bob Peterson (Up, Finding Nemo),

Mike Rich (The Rookie, Finding Forrester)

PLOT: As Lightning McQueen gets older, he needs to prove he can race with the new guys. 

FULL DISCLOSURE: Liked Cars, did not like Cars 2.

STORY STUFF: It’s a well-told story that entertains but is not at the same caliber of Pixar’s best. It follows the trilogy staple of going back to the original and getting nostalgic, which is nice. I felt a little bad for the residents of Radiator Springs who don’t get that much screen time this time around. The story itself is a nice blend of comeback training (like Rocky IV), mentor/mentee relationships (like Karate Kid), mixed with girl power (like Spice Girls?).

ACTING STUFF: Great voice acting all around. Wilson does a fine job as McQueen. Larry the Cable Guy continues to grab laughs as Mater. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black’s Big Boo) as brash Miss Fritter. Sad that Michael Keaton did not return as Chick; guess he’s busy.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Pixar animation is always amazing but there were a couple of scenes that blew me away. As they are driving to find Doc Hudson’s mentor, Mack goes over a bridge that looks like they put the animated cars on live footage; but it’s not live footage. These scenic backgrounds are breathtaking and so realistic. Kudos animators.

VERDICT: Three and half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You liked Cars and appreciate well-crafted animation

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Baby Driver