Cars 3 Overhauls the Franchise for the Better

The original CARS hit theaters in 2006, eleven years prior to this latest entry to the franchise. I suppose eleven years is old for a car. I'm still driving my 2004 Chevy Malibu, and I know I wouldn't want to push it too fast.

Anyway, Lightning McQueen (OWEN WILSON) isn't feeling that old, and he's still at the top of his game with his longtime racing rivals -- that is, until he's bested unexpectedly by rookie Jackson Storm (ARMIE HAMMER). Suddenly there's a whole new crop of racecars out there that are stronger and faster than Lightning, and he sees his contemporaries get forced into retirement. Determined not to let that happen to him, he goes into a rigorous training regimen under Rust-Eze new owner, Sterling (NATHAN FILLION) and his head trainer, Cruz Ramirez (CRISTELA ALONZO). Lightning and Cruz's journey takes them back to racing's roots, with lessons from Doc Hudson's old crew chief, Smokey (CHRIS COOPER), who tries to teach Lightning that he can't be faster, so he has to be smarter.

What Lightning learns through all this is just who the better racer really is, and what his new natural role should be. CARS 3 is leaps and bounds better than the morass that was CARS 2, and a perfect bookend for the original CARS.

This Blu-ray / DVD / Digital release comes with a truckload of special features that will keep you entertained way beyond the movie. One of our particular favorites was "Miss Fritter's Driving School," which features the demolition derby darling (voiced by LEA DELARIA), taking advantage of the fact that Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez raced on her track in one of the highlights of the film. You'll also get introductions to the different vehicles and how they were designed, another cartoon short of how Mater (LARRY THE CABLE GUY) had his own stint in the world of demolition racing, easter eggs to look for, and many more.

The optics on this release are top-notch, and look great on an HD screen, and the sound is exceptional You'll find yourself once more fully immersed in the world of CARS, and coming back to revisit this one time after time. CARS 3 releases November 7, 2017, and would be the perfect item to put on that special someone's Christmas list!