I’m a bit at a loss with Cars 3 so far, except to point out two key things Pixar is trying to say with this initial advert:
- This isn’t Cars.
- This isn’t Cars 2.
Specifically, this trailer seems to promise a darker, more visceral movie, perhaps because the younger views of the previous films have grown up with these toys and might be ready for something more mature (and cars crashing on the race track is a grisly, sadly familiar sight). And that’s not even mentioning how much sharper and more visually arresting the visuals are here.
The trailer doesn’t mention this, but the movie will partly focus on Lightning McQueen’s memory of Doc Hudson, who passed between Cars and Cars 2. We’ll also see most of the characters from Radiator Springs again, which probably includes Tow Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy), though that isn’t confirmed. It’s too early to tell at this point what the extent of this “crash” will be for McQueen, and it’s smart to avoid showing his face at all to sell the new tone.
I understand that there’s a lot of disdain for the Cars franchise among even the most ardent Pixar lovers. It’s hard to deny that Cars 2 was anything short of a cash grab, made to bank on the surprising merchandising success of the first film, this time starring the comedic sidekick. But I happen to be one of the fans who grew up loving the first Cars, considering it one of my favorites growing up because it came out around the time I was learning to drive. If Cars 3 is anywhere close to being as affecting as that movie, then I’ll personally be satisfied.
Looks fun! I quite liked Cars 2. Definitely wasn’t their best but it was okay.
Really good blog!! I LOVE reading it 😁
I felt the same when I saw it: it’s definitely selling a darker tone. Great post! 👍🏼
It’s too early to say for sure, but this does look pretty dark. The premise sounds okay, and there’s apparently going to be a younger car character, so maybe this won’t be another Cars 2 (which, in my opinion, was not that bad). Still, the darker tone put me off a bit—I really hope they don’t lose the child appeal just to attract mature audiences. But again, it’s too early to know.
i am intrigued to say the least
Hmmm. Considering Cars, it will take more than a crash in order for Cars 3 to have better expectations. Lets see what happens.
I have to admit, the first Cars is one of my favorite pixar films. For awhile it was my favorite. So I’m hopping is could be promising, will just have to wait.
The biggest thing that stood out to me about the trailer was that the cars look significantly less “cartoony” than the previous films. We don’t see any faces on the cars, we don’t see unrealistic frame flexing, and if we didn’t know it was a Cars trailer the viewer might mistake it for an ad hawking the latest realistic car-racing videogame. In fact, if you freeze-frame the accident sequence it looks like McQueen lacks a face and instead has a normal windshield.
My theory – McQueen is actually a human racecar driver who went into a coma after a nasty wreck. This is what we witness in the trailer. The entire Cars universe only exists in his comatose dream state. This is also what the phrase we see at the ending of the trailer alludes to.