Cars 3

If 2006's Cars was a story about a cocky race driver discovering his true potential, and its 2011 follow up a misguided attempt at a spy spoof that oddly focused on one of the supporting characters instead of the main one (Seriously, Cars 2 should have just been called The Mater Movie), then Cars 3 is the Rocky Balboa-style story of what happens when that cocky race driver from the first film is past his prime.  There are moments of genuine emotion here (things the last sequel lacked), but it's not up to the usual level we expect from Pixar, and quite honestly, the movie comes across as being pretty standard in every way.

The Cars films, with its world made up entirely of living automobiles who race each other, have always been more about merchandising and selling toys than most films to come out of the studio.  And at the very least, first time director Brian Fee does try to give the story some heart to the story as hot shot race car Lightning McQueen (voiced once again by Owen Wilson) is forced to reevaluate himself and the lessons he learned from his former mentor Doc Hudson (voiced in flashbacks posthumously by Paul Newman, employing unused takes from recording sessions on the first film).  But the pacing of the film can also be idling, and a lot of the big racing scenes lack the intensity they require, save for one set at a demolition derby that occurs about halfway through the film. 

However, I guess the key question to ask regarding Cars 3 is will kids like it, and will it sell toys over the summer?  My guess is the answer will be "yes" to both.  As the film opens, we find Lightning still at the top of the auto racing world, until a snotty and technologically superior young rookie named Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer) shows up, and starts winning one race after another, making Lightning feel like he's past his prime.  After being sidelined by a crash, McQueen goes on a journey of self-discovery.  He starts by working with his corporate sponsor (Nathan Fillion) in a high-tech training facility, complete with a virtual racing simulator, which bring about one of the film's funniest moments.  It's at this facility where Lightning meets his personal trainer, Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo), who tries to help Lightning find the spark within himself that made him a great racer in the first place.  We also gradually learn that she has a more personal history with the sport of racing than anyone could have ever realized.

When the high-tech training doesn't pay off like he expects, Lightning looks to his past, and seeks out Smokey (Chris Cooper), the car who once trained his mentor, Doc Hudson.  He begins a more grounded and basic method of training under Smokey's watchful eye, and before long, Lightning has that fighting spirit to face Jackson Storm once again.  I have no doubt that kids will find this stuff absolutely thrilling.  I actually heard a few audible gasps from the children around me when Lightning had a huge crash at one point in the film.  And you know what, with the right approach, this plot probably could have worked for the adult animation fans in the audience as well.  But this film never quite finds it, and seems content to tread water.  We never get a deep connection between Lightning and Smokey, the rivalry with Jackson Storm never seems as intense as it should be, and while Cruz definitely has her moments (she's the best part about the film), she never quite has the strong emotional payoff that we expect.

The whole movie suffers from a lack of a strong emotional payoff.  The movie plays out pleasant enough and it never offends, but it also never excites or truly comes across as inspired.  This must have felt like busy work for animators who have worked on projects as diverse as The Incredibles, Inside Out and Ratatouille.  All of those films (and most Pixar movies in general) found a way to reach both kids and adults, but the Cars franchise has always seemed a bit more shallow and commercial to the rest of the studio's output.  I get it.  Corporations need to make money, after all.  And Cars 3 does at least hide its corporate intentions better than the last two movies.  But just like the other two films, this one just never connected with me on any level.  Yes, there are some scattered laughs here, but there's very little to get excited about.

I still believe that Pixar can be strong, however.  The proof is in the short film that plays before the movie, L.O.U., where a schoolyard bully gets taught a lesson by an unusual source.  That roughly five minute short has more heart and good will than the entirety of the main feature that comes after.  Cars 3 is a passable diversion made by some very talented people.  It will make its money, it will be watched over and over again by kids on DVD, and we may get a fourth film.  But I highly doubt even some of the people who worked on it will view this as one of their better efforts.

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