Cars 3 Review: Best One Yet, Until 4 That Is

I’ve seen Cars 3 twice now, thanks to Disney. They invited me out to Anaheim to attend the press screening as well as the Cars 3 World Premiere and today I’m sharing my Cars 3 Review!

I plan to see it a third time with my family, even the twins when it hits theaters this weekend. Pixar’s Cars franchise is a favorite in our home, where you will find both old and new Cars toys laying around.

I’ll be telling you about some of the new Cars 3 merchandise on Friday, but today I want to share with you my Cars 3 Review and why I think it’s the best one yet, until 4 that is.

No, there is no word on Cars 4 that I’m aware of. I say that because of how the film ended and I hope you feel the same way too. Let’s back it up to the beginning for a second though.

Cars 3 begins with Lightning McQueen racing in Florida and has five Piston-Cup wins under his hood at this point. Then Jackson Storm enters the scene. One of several new generation racers who begin taking over the track and instantly make you dislike them.

Arrogant with a side of bullying and it doesn’t help that their cars are pretty fabulous looking. Not as nice as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet because hello, Doc is the only one who can have the fabulous title. Or can he…?

Then the crash happens. The Lightning McQueen crash that causes gasps to be uttered and breaths to be held. I will say that I didn’t hear any children crying around me during that scene.

It’s not much worse than what the trailers show in case you were worried about it for the little ones. My twins are four and I will be taking them to see it. The crash scene is very well done and lasts about 24 seconds.

From there we go on a bit of an emotionally adventurous journey with McQueen. A journey that gives the Cars franchise more heart and substance than it’s had in the last two films. Not a journey that made me cry, but a journey that touched my heart. A journey that introduces the second most important character of Cars 3, Cruz Ramirez.

Cruz Ramirez is McQueen’s trainer when he comes back after the crash. She’s hilarious, strong-willed, caring, and the female car that Pixar’s Cars has been missing. She’s the girl that’s going to have more girls talking about and watching Cars 3 than the other two movies.

Cruz Ramirez reminds little girls they CAN be the Danica Patrick of NASCAR if they want to be. They will hear a message that tells them they CAN dream big. I don’t want to say too much about her so that nothing is spoiled.

In addition to the story of going after dreams, is the story of mentorship. Doc had a big impact on McQueen and his racing. Not only his racing but his life. I don’t want to spoil anything about the film, but I’ll say that we see McQueen change over the course of this film. Not only the way his car looks but also the soul of him as a race car.

I guess I can mention Sterling in my Cars 3 review. I’m not a fan of his because he’s a butt-head, but he does have a big role in this film even if he isn’t in it much.

Thank goodness because he’s a bit of skeezy character who would make you cringe when he speaks if Nathan Fillion wasn’t the voice. Stay tuned for my interview coming up with him on Monday!

Cars 3 is a film for girls, for boys, for moms, for dads, for everyone. Mater shows up with his antics just when they are needed and Miss Fritter provides much-needed entertainment to break things up during some deep scenes. I would love to see a Miss Fritter feature film because Lea DeLaria nailed it.

She’s a character you will find yourself falling in love with. A local legend at the Thunder Hollow Speedway, Miss Fritter is a formidable opponent in the Crazy 8 race and a collector of her victims’ license plates. She Intimidates her future competitors with a total of 33 plates dangling from her school bus sides and a stop sign saw blade. Wouldn’t she make an epic movie?

When Cars 3 hits theaters on June 16th, I hope you will get tickets and enjoy what is sure to be the biggest animated movie of the summer! Plus, you will get to see the new short film, LOU, ahead of Cars 3.

This short tells the story of a toy-stealing bully who ruins recess for a playground full of kids. Only one thing stands in his way: the “Lost and Found” box.

This made it into my Top 3 favorite short films and it’s one that I can see winning a few awards. It’s heart-warming, funny, and may get you a little wet in the eyes, all without saying a word.

In true Pixar fashion, LOU hits it out of the park in the short film game, and I will be sharing a lot more about it next week!

Stay tuned for my interview with Owen Wilson, Kerry Washington, Cristela Alonzo, and Armie Hammer tomorrow!