Cars 3 (2017) ☆ ☆ ☆

After the misfire of Cars 2 I was not excited about the newest (and supposedly, last) entry in Pixar’s Cars series, but Cars 3 is much better.  With flashbacks to the first film, including several scenes with Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and a tight, compelling story line regarding how difficult it is to keep with life’s constant progressions, this entry may be the best of the bunch.  What it lacks in terms of supporting character contributions it makes up for in racing scenes, the drive for redemption and the recognition that when one’s own time has passed in the spotlight then the best thing to do is to help someone else earn theirs.

Brian Fee’s film focuses on the comeback story of Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), trying to re-establish himself as the top racing car in the world.  But others are now faster, and through improved training methods are better, than he.  McQueen tries the new training methods but isn’t comfortable; instead, he tries to teach his trainer, Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo) the old school approach to racing.  A night at a demolition derby proves invaluable, as does very old school training by Smokey (voiced by Chris Cooper), who had brought Doc Hudson into the racing world.  Finally, at the climactic race, Lightning and Cruz team up to prove that unorthodox methods and lots of gumption can go a long way in the racing world.

The pace rarely flags in this adventure, yet the intriguing thing to me is that with so much racing around the story remains compelling.  The older characters are largely shunted to the side in favor of Cruz and corporate boss Sterling (voiced by Nathan Fillion), yet having McQueen connect to the community of retired racers works really well and brings everything full circle.  McQueen’s mid-race decision at the finale is not surprising but it is satisfying and exciting, and it helps to have Mater and Sally and Ramone on hand to witness the big race and help him do his thing.

Having this film return to its origins is wise, nostalgic and satisfying.  If this is indeed the final Cars adventure — and it sure feels that way to me — then Pixar has done a terrific job wrapping it up.  It mixes the excitement of contemporary racing (I love the look of the Florida raceway and the ultra-streamlined cars) with the nostalgia of Radiator Springs and racing on gravel against one’s friends, away from crowds and fanfare.  I really enjoyed this movie and expect that you will too.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  3 July 2017.

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