A month ago, I unapologetically broke the kids out of school to check attend the Road to the Races Tour. At the event, they showed us an exclusive clip from Cars 3. My son is all about cars and sat on the edge of his seat the entire time. It may have only been a 10 minute clip but I have heard about it every day since. Race down the road to June and the moment he has been waiting for finally arrived. Cars 3.
New Pixar Short: Lou
We previewed this short at Disney Social Media Moms and loved it. I was also thrilled that I got to meet Dave Mullins, the genius behind Lou. It is funny and definitely tugged at my heartstrings. I'm pretty sure Lou is now my favorite Pixar short. Just give it all the awards now because it deserves them!
Lightning is down but not out yet. All of his friends, the old school racers, are either retiring or getting fired. He is determined not to let anyone tell him when his racing days are over. But he also must realize that his way of doing things isn't going to cut it anymore. McQueen must accept that change has come and you either adapt or get left in the dust.
Jackson Storm reminds the characters in the movie, and the audience, of a young Lightning McQueen. He's great at what he does, but also arrogant and callous. To beat him, Lightning must give up the idea of being faster than Storm, and instead focus on being smarter.
Enter Cruz Ramirez. This energetic young trainer wants to help Lightning but he doesn't think he needs her help. After all, he's a Piston Cup winning star, what does this car know about racing? There are not shortcuts in life McQueen. Ain't that the truth. This pair's relationship changes throughout the film, and Lightning learns that being a great race car means so much more than winning races.
Nostalgia:
This film definitely gave us all the feels of watching the original. You can tell they went back to what made the first Cars such a lasting hit. We have all grown during Lightning McQueen's life and Cars 3 matured right along with us.
The flashbacks to Doc Hudson were touching and yes had my eyes a bit teary. I could relate to McQueen missing Doc and wishing he was there. That's how I feel about my grandmother.
We also learn more about Doc's history, how he became the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and what gave Doc a lot of joy. You might be surprised!
Girl Power:
Sally is still her sharp witted, lawyer self who helps push Stinky, I mean Stickers into getting off his tires and doing something about his career after the crash.
Cruz isn't just the fun sidekick. She embodies the struggle a lot of women face in male dominated spaces. She learns to believe in herself and not to let any man car stand in her way.
We even meet an older female race car who didn't let the boys stand in her way. Life is too short to take no for an answer she tells Cruz!
Friendship and Acceptance:
It is important to surround yourself with people who believe in you. Lightning has the whole Radiator Springs crew, Doc had Smokey and his friends, and now Cruz has Lightning. There is such a big difference when someone believes in you, it helps you to believe in yourself. I think that lesson stuck out a lot for the parents. We are our children's first cheerleaders and we need to take care that we are encouraging them, accepting of them, and helping them preserver through life.
What the kids had to say:
My son: You shouldn't give up. You have to keep racing, like Lightning, and try hard. My favorite new character is Ms. Fritter. She is funny and cool. I would drive fast too if she was chasing me! I like that Lightning learned to be a good friend. Cars 3 is my new favorite Cars because I like Lightning McQueen and Cruz and all the new cars. They are so cool and the derby wow! Crash! Yes!
My daughter: I love love Cruz. She reminds me of me. Cruz is smart but sometimes doesn't feel like she can do things but she can. She just needed some friends to tell her she can do it like you tell me that I can do anything I make my mind up to do. I really liked the movie and I want to see it again.
The Big Crash Scene:
When the teaser was released I read a lot online that the crash scene seemed graphic and traumatic. In the film, the scene doesn't seem drawn out and you know quickly Lightning isn't dead or horribly maimed.
Post Credit Scene:
Stay through the credits for a fun little scene with Mater.
In the end, the audience cheered. The kids talked about the movie the whole way home, and the next day and every day since. We are seeing it again this weekend and I hope you will too!
Cars 3 is in theaters everywhere!
We love the Cars movies and I’m super excited to see this one. I know my kiddos would love it
just an fyi though, your video for the trailer doesn’t seem to be working
Strange! It is showing up for me. Thanks for letting me know!
I can’t wait to watch this with my daughter! We love the first two, so I know she will love this one as well!
I love Disney shorts almost more than the movies themselves. They are so heartfelt and powerful! Piper is my son’s all time favorite, I wish they would make a full-length movie out of it!
I am looking forward to seeing Cars 3. It looks like a great one!
Wow sounds like a better movie than I thought it would be! I may have to watch this! 🙂
I have to admit, I was hesitant to read this post. We are planning on going to see the movie tonight and I didn’t want to my opinions swayed but honestly even if we aren’t a huge fan it’s still another great tale of our favorite car!
I love pixar movies and I can’t wait for my daughter to grow up and watch them with me! So much fun!
I am so happy to hear great things about this Cars movie! We are really looking forward to seeing this one, my little boy is a big Cars fan!
I told my son he would go watch it if he spends X number of nights sleeping in his own bed for the entire night! Can’t wait to see it soon (I hope)!
This one sounds great – as usual! All the Cars movies have been so good, and I’m sure this will be a huge hit, too!
My boy loved the first two, but I have a feeling he might think he’s too old for number three.
This sounds so wonderful. I can’t wait to watch it with my kids! We’ll probably go next weekend.
I loved it! I’m not sure if I put it above the first one, but I want to see it one more time to finalize my ranking. Love that they returned to the raceway and focused on the back story of Doc. Such a great movie!
We took my son and his friend tonight and will be going again this weekend with my niece. Such a great movie. Oh and yes I choked up once again with Lou just like i did a DisneySMMC
Another fun CARS adventure for children to love. Should be fun.
My son had been patiently waiting for this movie to come out. He loved it so much and I’m sure we’ll be seeing it again soon!
It’s been a long wait for those who wanted to see Cars 3. I’m sure it’s as good as the first two.
I wasn’t a fan of the first 2 Cars movies, despite my kids being big fans. But I’m actually starting to look forward to Cars 3! I’ve read so many positive reviews of it, and everyone seems to agree that it’s the best one to date 🙂
Louise x
I loved the first Cars movie but was so disappointed in the second one. I definitely plan on seeing this and your review leaves me way more hopeful!
OMG I am super jealous! My little boys whole world is Cars he would have loved to go to the tour! In the UK it doesnt come out until 14th July so we are not so patiently waiting for it. I hope they play Lou when we go as well
I just saw Cars 3 and my kids and I think it’s amazing! They definitely did a great job creating the story line for this movie.
Sounds like a great movie. It is so cute for little ones even adults !!
I have never seen either movies. However I worked at an elementary school for a few years and a little boy in my class was very into the movie. He had a Cars backpack and talked about it all the time.
I guess it’s time to re-watch the two previous films before I watch this sequel. Thanks for the heads up.
My son is a huge Cars fans. He has a few Lighting McQueens and a couple of Maters at home. We haven’t had the time to see the movie yet. I am looking to bring him to see the third movie.
I liked the first two Cars movie. I would love to see the third one. I’m glad you guys liked it!
Seems like an awesome movie. My nephew and I watched both the films and I loved it more than him. I guess I have to go see the third one with him too. Thanks for the review and I’m hoping it comes out where I live to watch it as well.
I saw it over the weekend as well. The movie is much better then Cars 2 (which isn’t saying much) but, I really don’t think it is nearly as good as the first Cars movie. It had some great moments, but as a whole it was a very slow moving movie and my three year old had a hard time caring about it.
I love that you pulled the kids out of school to attend the event! #coolestmomever haha but seriously the movie sounds great and your kids reviews are adorable. Glad you guys had so much fun.
Michelle | She’s Not So Basic
I unexpectedly love the Cars movies… not exactly their target demographic, but whatever haha! I haven’t seen the new one yet but am definitely going to check it out.
Caitlin • Blonde Seeking Ambition
I forgot that Cars 3 is even out. I’m not really into animation but this just reminded me to go to the theatres to catch up on movies.
I have seen both movies and I loved the first one the most! Maybe it’s time I make my daughter watch it too. Will definitely be on the look out for cars 3 when it gets released here in the Philippines.