A few years have passed since the events of the last Cars movies. A talented anthropomorphic racecar named Lightning McQueen is preparing for the upcoming race.

However, there is a faster car who is ready to beat Lightning. His name is Jackson Storm.

The race happens at last. So far, Lightning is doing fine. However, he has trouble keeping up with the other cars thanks to his speed declining.

If that’s not bad enough, Lightning loses control of his features. He even crashes and needs to be taken to a repair shop.

Four months later, Lightning, who has been painted a new color, is watching TV. Despite how other vehicles suggest that he retire, he still wants to race badly. He is already recovering.

Lightning contacts his sponsors to help him get back into racing. But instead, they send him to a place called Rust-eze Racing Center, where he will work with a trainer called Cruz Ramirez.

Lightning goes there. He is impressed with the technology there, especially the racing simulator.

However, once he’s on that specific machine, he struggles and even “loses.” Cruz has Lightning take a nap, which he resists. But then he feels better after snoozing.

A wealthy business car named Sterling believes that Lightning really should retire. Lightning makes a deal, though—if he can win a race, he can decide what to do with his career. If not, then he will retire.

Sterling accepts the deal—but he requires that Cruz accompanies Lightning. Lightning’s training officially begins.

Cruz has him drive on a beach. He does okay but gets dissatisfied with how he can’t go as fast as he could before. And the fact that Cruz lacks any racing experience makes it more frustrating for him.

Later, Cruz and Lightning go to the Thunder Hollow Speedway. It is being used for a figure-8 demolition derby. A bunch of vehicles known as the “Crazy Eight” are going to compete.

Lightning and Cruz attempt to leave the tracks—except that it’s too late. They are now being forced to compete with the other vehicles, including a scary school bus.

After a hectic race, Cruz wins. Lightning is unhappy.

Then a vehicle accidentally washes the mud off of him. The audience sees that he is Lightning McQueen.

Sometime later, Cruz and Lightning are riding inside a truck. Lightning puts Cruz down for “failing” him and even accidentally breaks her trophy.

Cruz gets mad and confesses to Lightning that she wanted to be a racecar. But she was never encouraged. Then she and Lightning part ways.

At some point, Lightning is mortified by how he treated Cruz. He calls his friend, Mater, who suggests looking for a car named Smokey. Smokey also helped another vehicle called Doc Hudson.

Realizing that he needed Cruz all along, Lightning goes back to find her. At first, she is resistant to helping him. But after a lot of convincing in rap form, Cruz is willing to reciprocate with him.

The two go to Georgia and meet Smokey. Smokey reveals that Doc Hudson stopped racing a while ago. But he does enjoy training Lightning.

Although it’s difficult to accept, Lightning has to believe that he will never be faster than Jackson Storm. But he can be smarter than him.

Lightning gets trained in various ways, such as zigzagging around cow tractors and driving through the forest at night without headlights. Will he still have a chance at winning a race?

Even though this is the 3^rd installment in the Cars film series, it had enough details to stand on its own. Even the plot worked well. Not once did I get lost or confused.

I did see the 1^st Cars movie in the theater when I was 12. But I barely remember it. I didn’t see the sequel, though. But my friends said that it wasn’t that good.

Anyway, Cars 3 had a lot of strengths. For instance, I enjoyed Lightning’s character development, particularly his determination to win a race. I also admire his friendship with Mater. Mater was there for Lightning when he needed support. And I thought that was sweet.

The worldbuilding is especially creative. It is all anthropomorphic vehicles. There are no humans or even animals.

And if it has been confirmed that all Pixar movies are connected, who knows how cars replaced humans?

The technology used in the movie was also nice—especially the simulator. It actually looked like fun to try it.

The pacing was fast for the most part. I will admit, though, that some moments were kind of boring. But that’s minor.

The tension levels remained as high as necessary. Twists and turns occur, as well. See the film to find out what they are.

Overall, I enjoyed Cars 3. I actually think anyone can watch it and understand it without seeing the previous installments.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars.