--- title: "Cars 3: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/cars-3/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/cars-3" critics_score: 60 critics_reviews: 24 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Cars 3 (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 60 from 24 reviews: 9 positive, 12 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics agree this is a clear improvement on Cars 2, largely because it gets back on the track. The praise clusters around two things: Cruz Ramirez, whom several reviews call the most engaging character the series has had, and the racing itself, which even the doubters find handsomely animated. There is also warmth for the story of a champion ageing out of his sport, which reviewers find more thoughtful than the franchise had led them to expect. The reservations are about the storytelling. Many find it safe and formulaic, with a middle that drifts and jokes that miss, and most place it well below Pixar’s best. The spread is wide. IndieWire calls it the strongest of the three, while The Guardian finds it running on empty and Screen Daily thinks the series is finished. One sequence divides them: the tribute to Doc Hudson built from Paul Newman’s old recordings moves Deadline and strikes Screen Daily as ghoulish. ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating B+. 12 June 2017. Kohn considers this the strongest entry in the franchise, a welcome improvement with more mature themes. He praises Cruz Ramirez’s ambition and the film’s emotionally rich, visually intense racing sequences, while noting an aimless middle and a weak finish. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/cars-3-review-pixar-owen-wilson-1201841080/) ## Little White Lies — Elena Lazic Rating 3/4/3. 14 July 2017. Lazic finds the film imperfect but ultimately moving, praising its classic storytelling and bittersweet conclusion. She singles out the unexpected realization at the end as a particularly beautiful Pixar moment. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/cars-3) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Rating 4/5. The review says the film gets the franchise back on track after the previous film’s spy spoof. It praises the renewed focus on motor racing and Pixar’s attention to visual and verbal detail. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0jw0jj/cars-3/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 June 2017. Turan finds the film a warmly sentimental, easygoing success that keeps the franchise rolling. He praises its emotional heft and the way its story explores mentorship and changing realities. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-cars-3-review-20170615-story.html) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2017. Gleiberman finds the sequel warm, touching, and satisfying, though too formulaic to feel like inspired Pixar artistry. He praises its polished animation and affection for the series, while faulting Cruz Ramirez for being insufficiently distinctive. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-1202462054/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be verified. No specific praise or complaint is available from the supplied text. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cars-3-2017) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2017. The article text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint from the review is available to identify. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/movies/cars-3-review.html) ## Empire — James White Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2017. White finds the film an effective course correction after the second Cars, though it falls short of vintage Pixar. He praises Cruz Ramirez and the story’s clash between old-school determination and new technology, while noting that heart and invention remain somewhat lacking. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/cars-3-review/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 3/5. 16 November 2017. O'Sullivan finds the film lazy, though she says it has bright spots. She praises Cruz Ramirez and the gorgeous-looking adventures she shares with Lightning McQueen. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/cars-3-review-disengage-brain-and-enjoy-the-ride-a3681876.html) ## Time Out — Ellie Walker-Arnott Rating 3/5. 11 July 2017. The critic calls it a passable entry in Pixar’s least-loved franchise. The review’s brief verdict singles out the franchise’s weaker standing as the main drawback. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/cars-3) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 3/5. 15 July 2017. The critic finds Cars 3 polished and improved over its predecessor, but ultimately disposable and far below Pixar’s best. They praise its return to Lightning McQueen and racing, along with a thoughtful look at champions aging out of competition. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/cars-3-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Watson Rating 2/4. 13 June 2017. The critic finds Cars 3 the least objectionable film in the series but says it falls short of Pixar’s emotional heights. The review praises Cruz as a welcome, well-developed character and appreciates the film’s energetic racing. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/cars-3/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2017. The review finds Cars 3 a welcome return after the previous film, but says its leisurely pacing leaves it short of full momentum. It praises the engaging new character Cruz and the film’s striking visuals, while noting its tender tribute to Paul Newman. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/cars-3-review-1012246/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2017. Bradshaw finds the film amiable and well-intentioned but ultimately running on empty. He particularly faults its loss of imaginative spark and contrived handling of Lightning McQueen's changing fortunes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/13/cars-3-review-a-franchise-thats-running-out-of-road) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2017. Grierson delivers a negative verdict, suggesting the franchise has run out of gas. He singles out the use of Paul Newman out-takes to revive a character as especially ghoulish. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/cars-3-review/5118949.article) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2017. Hammond finds that the franchise has successfully returned to form, with a story that handles aging and change well. He especially praises the touching sequence honoring Doc Hudson and Paul Newman. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/06/cars-3-review-pixar-sequel-owen-wilson-video-1202112913/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 14 June 2017. Goldberg finds the film a mature, adequate improvement over Cars 2, but ultimately safe and uninspired. He praises its mentorship and collaboration themes, while faulting it for lacking the ambition of Pixar’s strongest films. [Read the review](https://collider.com/cars-3-review/) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2017. The critic finds Cars 3 an enjoyable, kindhearted return to the first film’s simpler spirit, though it lacks Pixar’s grander ambition. He especially praises the photorealistic racing and richly detailed environments. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2017/06/film-review-cars-3/) ## Polygon — Julia Alexander Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2017. The critic finds Cars 3 an enjoyable, thoughtful return to the franchise’s racing roots, though it is messy and its jokes often fall flat. Cruz stands out as the most compelling character, and the review wishes the film had spent more time with her. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/13/15789284/cars-3-review/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 14 July 2017. Brew finds the film entertaining and visually superb, but frustratingly safe and driven by merchandise priorities. He singles out the stunning visuals and exciting racing, while faulting the weak villain and uninspired storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/cars-3-review-2/) ## Paste — Tim Grierson Rating 5.0. 13 June 2017. Grierson finds the film mediocre and disposable, criticizing its corporate feel and weak storytelling. He praises its visual wonder and cutesy humor, while noting its grace notes about loss and stepping aside. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/cars-3/cars-3) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 5/10. 16 June 2017. Spiegel finds the film a clear improvement over Cars 2 but weaker than the original, with a story that takes too long to find its direction. He praises Cristela Alonzo’s nuanced, energetic performance and Cruz’s character, while faulting the film for sidelining her perspective. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/551583/cars-3-review/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The critic finds the film serviceable but neither terrible nor terrific, and sees it as a familiar entry with some surprises. They praise its solid story while faulting the increasingly incoherent premise of the Cars universe. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/cars-3-review/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2017. The critic finds the sequel visually striking and efficiently plotted, but ultimately harmless and unstimulating. They single out its photo-realistic animation for praise, while criticizing the unremarkable script and jokes. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-cristela-alonzo-pixar/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/cars-3.md