Cars 3

Year: 2017

Director: Brian Fee

Starring: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Armie Hammer, Nathan Fillion, Chris Cooper, Tony Shalhoub, and Bonnie Hunt
Tagline: It's not over until lightning strikes.
Synopsis: Even anthropomorphic race cars get old.

Review

First off, can I say how much I love Pixar shorts?  They are terrific and "Lou" is no exception.  It's cute, clever, funny, and tugs at the heartstrings.  I loved it.

As for the feature film itself ... well, I didn't dislike it.  It's way, way, way better than Cars 2 (which it didn't even acknowledge).  Did we need Cars 3?  Not really.  And I have nothing against well-thought-out sequels.  [I love Finding Dory and can hardly wait for The Incredibles 2.]  But this film seems to be mostly a retread of the original film.  Sometimes that tactic works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  I suppose if nothing else, the merchandising from the Cars franchise helps pay for original stories like Coco, which comes out in the fall.

One thing is undeniable, the visuals in Cars 3 are amazing.  There was one scene where it was such beautiful scenery, I had to remind myself that this is an animated film made on computers.  It looks so good.  Pixar continues to excel.

I was, however, disappointed with the music.  The soundtrack is mediocre, as is the score.  Yes, I have high expectations for Pixar scores thanks to Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Up, and Inside Out.  If Cars has a main theme, I can't think of it.  The music is just there, like an obscure background character: noticeable, but not memorable.

As for the story, it is serviceable, albeit predictable.  Kudos though for a kids movie being about the difficulties of getting older and losing your edge.  When the story was about Lightning and his relationship with Doc Hudson (aka the Hudson Hornet), that was when it really pulled me in.  When it was about the races themselves, not as much.  I was also disappointed that the major plot point in the first teaser trailer -- Lightning crashing -- was far less dramatic and pivotal to the story/character development than promised.

If you're a fan of the first Cars film (or have kids who are fans of it), there's much to enjoy about this one.  If you are looking for a way to beat the heat on a hot summer day, Cars 3 is an admirable way to spend 90 or so minutes.  It's rated G and is clean throughout.

*** Spoiler Section ***

The climax didn't surprise me.  It is clear from the scene on the beach that Lightning is unwittingly training Cruz, not the other way around.  Thus it is inevitable that it is Cruz, not Lightning, who wins the race against Jackson Storm.  It is a strange rule, though, that allows for the climax.  I guess it does have basis in the real world of racing, but it seems intrinsically unfair to switch cars, allowing a fresh car to go against tired ones.

What did surprise me was Sterling's turnabout regarding Cruz.  Granted, he seems a bit untrustworthy from the start.  But there is nothing in his previous behavior that naturally leads up to him telling Cruz to leave.  Of course he wouldn't want her to race, but he has no compelling reason to send her away so that she can't at least watch.  The confrontation feels forced.

Quotable Quotes

• "I decide when I'm done." -- Lightning
• "The beach ate me." -- Cruz
• "Don't fear failure.  Be afraid of not having the chance.  You have the chance!" -- Sally
• "Tell her all the crabs have gone night-night."  "I -- I can't say that.  You tell her!" -- Lightning and Smokey

Wonder Woman

Year: 2017

Director: Patty Jenkins

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, and David Thewlis
Tagline: Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder.
Synopsis: Diana, Princess of the Amazons, ventures to the outside world to help stop World War I.

Review

Wonder Woman had the unenviable task of having almost the entire weight of the DC extended universe on her shoulders.  She more than proved herself up to the challenge.  Wonder Woman is now one of my favorite superhero movies, DC or Marvel.  This is what a superhero movie should be, primarily because Diana is what a superhero should be.

Diana/Wonder Woman was (easily) the best part of Batman v. Superman.  She was intelligent, enigmatic, and fierce.  Her solo outing and origin story are worthy of the character teased at in that first glimpse.

Gal Gadot is Diana.  Her charisma mixed with an intelligent naivete carry the story.  This is her hero's journey, from a sheltered island paradise to the unimaginable horrors of WWI trenches.  It is also her journey of self-discovery, as she learns just what she is capable of.  And it's a joy to watch.

But what is best about Diana is her inherent goodness.  She has a firm belief that it is her duty to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.  She and Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) could have some swell conversations about ideals.

Her own Steve -- Steve Trevor -- is also a good man, albeit one who has become jaded by years of brutal war.  He provides a good balance to Diana.  Chris Pine holds his own next to Gadot, which is no small feat.  His character, rather than relegated to sidekick or comic foil, is in many ways shown to be Diana's equal.  Their onscreen chemistry keeps the film rolling along smoothly and humorously.

Wonder Woman is very much a superhero movie and has plenty of action, explosions, and -- of course -- villains to be thwarted.  The climactic battle does become a bit cliched, but nonetheless works within the story.  The best scene may well be when Diana crosses No Man's Land.  I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil anything.  But it is epic.

Also epic is Wonder Woman's theme music.  It was the best part of the Batman v. Superman soundtrack and it is even better here.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wonder Woman.  Was it perfect?  Not entirely.  And there were a few things that kept it in the PG-13 realm that I could have done without.  But it is one of my favorite superhero films, right up there with Captain America: Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight.  Wonder Woman has action and adventure.  But it also has humor and heart.  If you are wondering if you should see it, wonder no more.

*** Spoiler Section ***

There are two main spoilers in the film's climax.  Admittedly, neither came as a surprise to me.  It isn't that they are poorly set up.  The film does a good job handling both.  But the one felt somewhat inevitable and the other I was suspicious about from the moment I looked at the cast list.

That Steve dies is sad.  He's a good guy, which is precisely the point.  He is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others.  Diana is not the only hero in the film.  And his death is, in some sense, needed to help complete Diana's journey to being a hero among mankind.  She has been disillusioned.  She has seen the worst in men and women, the darkness in their hearts and deeds.  Steve is able to balance that out by showing the best.  He is flawed, but still good and striving for the light.

I was pleased and intrigued that Ares turned out to be Sir Patrick.  It makes him a much more interesting nemesis with much more subtle ambitions and plans.  It was his "peace at any cost" mentality that struck me as being off.

Quotable Quotes

• "I will fight, for those who cannot fight for themselves." -- Diana
• "Have you never met a man before?  What about your father?"  "I had no father.  My mother sculpted me from clay and I was brought to life by Zeus."  "Well that's neat." -- Steve and Diana
• "You lied to them?"  "I'm a spy; it's what I do." -- Diana and Steve
• "It's about what you believe.  And I believe in love.  Only love will truly save the world." -- Diana