School's out and summer has begun. Break out the BBQ's and hit the multiplex to see what Hollywood does best given the season...big-budget extravaganzas and animated flicks. So with that being the case, there is "Cars3" in the offing. Not "Cars" or "cars 2", but three. In the last decade plus, Pixar Animated Studios and Disney have been churning out the Cars films and we are the benefactors of them.
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves predominantly by cocky, younger Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer). To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician/trainer, Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing's biggest stage. Through the support and encouragement of Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), Luigi (Tony Shalhoub), Smokey (Chris Cooper), Sally (Bonnie Hunt), Dusty (Ray Magliozzi) and the like, will Lightning be able to reinvent himself and not go into obscurity?
Others to round out the cast are Nathan Fillion as Sterling, Kerry Washington as Natalie Certain, Tom Magliozzi as Rusty, John Ratzenberger as Mack, Guido Quaroni as Guido, Lea DeLaria as Miss Fritter, Bob Peterson as Chick Hicks, Kyle Petty as Cal Weathers and Margo Martindale as Louise Nash.
This was whimsically directed by Brian Fee (Experience in Art Dept.). Considering this is his only film in the director's chair, this filmmaker was able to tap into the correct emotions for these characters to bring them life and individuality. He's a seasoned pro in Pixar's company working in the art department in many of Pixar productions, so making the jump to directing, although risky, paid off in spades. We will see him helming more projects. It was written by Kiel Murray, Bob Peterson and Mike Rich. What helped this script work was the fact that between these different writers, there is not only animated writing experience but live action as well. It gives that well-rounded, more of a thought out screenplay--not that this was a perfect script. There were a few small places of slowness in the middle of the story, but other than this, this script was Pixar's typical creatively well-crafted storyline that we all know and love. And, of course, this has Pixar's 'lucky charm' in in the form of John Ratzenberger which has been in every single Pixar production since their first feature film, "Toy Story" voicing Hamm, the piggy bank. In this film, he voices Mack, the semi truck who houses Lightning when he's on the road. The best thing about this and all Pixar films is that it focuses on both kids and adults being entertaining all with a great message to learn from. In fact, speaking of lessons learned, the short, "Lou" prior to "Cars 3" is one of the best shorts I've seen Pixar create--speaking of a great story and a great message!
Whether one is an animated film buff or not, any Pixar film fits the bill for entertainment and conveying a great and important message in a way that doesn't hit you on the head like a ton of bricks, but definitively lets one know the way things are or should be. This is great fun all in a 4DX and IMAX format to give it that wow factor.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: G 111mins.
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