There is so much to be pleased with and there is just as much to be disappointed with when it comes to Disney Pixar’s, Cars 3. Rarely do we see this type of hero’s journey. Would you call it a win, or a straight up loss? Did the number 95 win the race or was he forced to retire in the pits?

We start off with Lightening McQueen (voiced once again by Owen Wilson) at the races, winning and winning again as he does. This is the Lightening McQueen we’ve grown to love. He does it with poise and ease. One of the greatest things about this film is that it shows the strong message of sportsmanship because he is highly regarded and respected by his rivals, showing the same respect for the cars he has just beaten in return. However, in one race, the veterans are stunned by the ruthless unexpected take over from a rookie – Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer lending his voice here), who’s far more advanced and hotted up with all the latest technology. So, the battle is on. Lightening McQueen must make the ultimate decision in his racing career. Though he constantly has others in his ear to retire, McQueen makes it clear. He will make that decision.
Rusty (Tom Magliozzi back again) has decided to sell his company, Rust-eze, to Sterling (voiced by Nathan Fillion). Meeting for the first time as his new sponsor, Sterling and McQueen come to an agreement. If he loses the next big race in Florida, he will be forced to retire and start selling his brand instead. So, Sterling sets him up with their best trainer, Cruz Ramirez (voiced by the funny Christela Alonzo) who will show him training methods he has never had to do before as they are a futuristic way McQueen wasn’t used to. It’s the same type of training regime conducted by his new and young rival, Jackson Storm. McQueen doesn’t really fancy all this new high tech style training, therefore seeks out his mentor, Doc Hudson’s (appearing in flash backs and hallucinations and voiced by Paul Newman) mentor, Smokey (voiced by Chris Cooper). He trains him old school, but while this is all going on, Ramirez who has taken the trip down to Smokey’s town with McQueen, is battling with her own desire to become a racer and admits this to McQueen. She never wanted to be a trainer.
So, does our hero’s classic method beat the onslaught of the new and improved in the racing world?
cars3jackstormcars3accidentThe storyline is all fine and dandy, and makes complete sense. There aren’t any hiccups there. Kids will love it because there is plenty of racing and dialogue is easy to understand and doesn’t blab on for ages, getting straight back into the action as often as logically possible. But, it’s the result that makes it a little disappointing. Which leads me to say, I’m sorry, but this review may include spoilers from here.

Ramirez constantly shows her ability as a racer while being McQueen’s guinea pig during Smokey’s training. It’s McQueen they are trying to strengthen, but she is always ahead of him and the old motor cant beat her. So, when they get to Florida, McQueen, the only old school vehicle on the tracks finds his true purpose late in the race. He must become the trainer. Not the trainee. He takes himself out of the race, and sends Ramirez on the track to fulfill her dreams, and to beat the young guns while he is in her ear, using her motivational tools we see her use on McQueen to get her over the line.
cars3cruzcars3smokeyIt’s a sweet tale. It’s delightful. It’s charming. However, here is my arguably controversial comment. Do we really need another politically correct moment from Disney by adding yet another female to lead the charge? I believe the gender card is being played and though the kids won’t mind, it bothers me. Absolutely nothing against the idea of women in the forefront (hey, I am a woman who is all about girl power), but not forcefully to prove a point. To add, these Cars movies are McQueen’s story. He is the one who will beat every challenge to win. Cars 3 on the other hand, is taking all that away from him. I’m afraid if a Cars 4 is in the works, it’ll be subtitled to reference Ramirez, her journey and her imminent take over of the series.
carscruzjackcars3restI’m also unsure of who the ‘villain’ is in this film. Was it Jackson Storm, the young gun with the advance technology looking to take over as the next legend of racing? We hardly see him unless it’s on the track and we never see his side of the story. He does make some threatening comments to McQueen about how he will beat the old timer and how he will be sending him to his retirement. Or, is it Sterling, who criticises Ramirez for racing instead of training, and forces the agenda of retirement in order to begin selling McQueen product instead, before McQueen is even ready to retire?
cars3sterlingDespite it all, Cars 3 is delightful with an awesome cool poster which can almost be good enough for a Fast & Furious promo poster, but the result makes it disappointing. Just wait for DVD/Bluray for this one. 3 out of 5.