Fans and not-fans alike should take Cars 3 for a spin [Review]

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By YP cadet Joyee Au Yeung
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There’s a lot to love, and very little to dislike, in Cars 3, the third film in the Cars franchise

By YP cadet Joyee Au Yeung |
Published: 
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Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) go on a journey of self-discovery in Cars 3. Photo: Disney/Pixar

Lighting McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is back in Cars 3, and he’s better than ever. The speedy racecar is starting to feel his age in the third film in the franchise, as he finds himself losing to newcomers who have technological advantages over him. However, McQueen is determined to stay in game, and he’ll do anything he can to do so. Cars 3 highlights how, in today’s world with our ever-evolving technology, everyone worries about “fading fast” and being replaced by something (or someone) shinier and newer.

The plot follows McQueen as he pairs up with trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo), a car with extraordinary talent and the ability to inspire rookie racecars, but who struggles to get on with McQueen. They go on a trip together to find the mentor of McQueen’s old mentor Doc Hudson, who teaches the duo a trick or two to outsmart the newer, faster cars in the racing game.

McQueen’s journey from wanting to still be the best to accepting he’s no longer the racer he was is wonderful to see. The film is funny and heart-wrenching in equal measures – the latter particularly so because of the flashbacks to Doc Hudson.

Visually the film is typically Pixar – that is to say, stunning – and the sound effects are just as good, with seat-rumbling car revving, and realistic metal-crunching and gear-grinding when it comes to car crashes.

Even if you haven’t seen the previous Cars films, this is a great watch, as it works perfectly well as a standalone. By the time you leave the cinema, you’ll be a firm fan of the franchise.

Edited by Ginny Wong

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