History YMMV / Cars3

* HarsherInHindsight: Try watching [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DouVH8E44 Lightning's near-fatal wreck]] after [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR2zeKRw21Y Ryan Newman's near-fatal crash]] at the 2020 Daytona 500.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Chip Gearings, the #11 racer, is sponsored by Combustr, an online banking service that will see its debut in the new film. [[http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODc4WDExMTA=/z/MNkAAOSwo4pYVXZp/$_1.JPG However, at first glance]] you probably would not have come to that conclusion. As you can clearly see, the piston and stylized explosion look like... [[TheStoner well...]] to put it [[AccidentalPun bluntly]], a car-ified version of a joint. The color choice doesn't help either.

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** The DarkerAndEdgier route implied by the teaser. Some fans are glad that what is considered Pixar's most juvenile franchise is finally taking on a more adult tone and actually feeling like a proper Pixar film. Others fear that the film may feel [[MoodWhiplash tonally inconsistent with its predecessors]], which is actually saying something considering that ''Cars 2'' was much more violent than the first ''Cars'' (then again, [[FanonDiscontinuity not a lot of fans like to acknowledge the sequel's existence]]).

** The ending of the film has been rather controversial in some circles, namely over [[spoiler:Cruz winning the Florida 500 instead of Lightning [[note]]though [[LoopholeAbuse technically]], Lightning won ''alongside'' Cruz since they switched halfway through[[/note]] and him later becoming her trainer. Some people feel that these factors both make Lightning suffer from BadassDecay and feeling it denied Lighting the onscreen win he deserved while others point out that the [[MisaimedFandom whole point of the film was for Lightning to accept that even if he couldn't race as he used to he could still be a part of his passion by passing on his legacy to Cruz]]. Some TakeAThirdOption and argue that, while the ending makes sense conceptually, Lightning passing his legacy onto Cruz should've happened earlier instead of it happening in the climax.]]

** The ending of the film has been rather controversial in some circles, namely over [[spoiler:Cruz winning the Florida 500 instead of Lightning [[note]]though [[LoopholeAbuse technically]], Lightning won ''alongside'' Cruz since they switched halfway through[[/note]] and him later becoming her trainer. Some people feel that these factors both make Lightning suffer from BadassDecay and feeling it denied Lighting the onscreen win he deserved while others point out that the [[MisaimedFandom whole point of the film was for Lightning to accept that even if he couldn't race as he used to he could still be a part of his passion by passing on his legacy to Cruz]]]].

** Lightning stating that he's never thought of himself as a brand becomes amusing when you consider [[MerchandiseDriven the buttload of ''Cars'' merchandise out there.]]

** Some fans have interpreted Jackson Storm as having an InferioritySuperiorityComplex, which is partially supported by how aggressive he gets when he realizes that Cruz is about to beat him. His trash talking of Cruz during the final race could also be interpreted as him [[PsychologicalProjection projecting his own insecurities onto her.]]

** Some fans have interpreted Jackson Storm as having an InferioritySuperiorityComplex, which is partially supported by how aggressive he gets when he realizes that Cruz is about to beat him. His trash talking of Cruz during the final race could also be interpreted as him projecting his insecurities onto her.

** Some fans have interpreted Jackson Storm as having an InferioritySuperiorityComplex, which is partially supported by how aggressive he gets when he realizes that Cruz is about to beat him.

** "Name's Danny, bro."[[labelnote:Explanation]]One of the next-gen racers, named Danny, introduces himself to Lightning with this very quote.[[/labelnote]]

* AuthorsSavingThrow: It's easy to read this movie as Pixar [[OldShame "apologizing"]] for ''WesternAnimation/Cars2'', a film that much of their staff has admitted they weren't proud of.
** It completely ignores the events of the second one altogether, and seems to present itself as the "real" sequel to the first film, complete with multiple {{call back}}s and mirrored story beats.[[note]]''2'' in general more closely-follows the formula of ''Mater's Tall Tales'', a series of promotional shorts which played on Disney Channel, none of which are canonical with the film, so it'd made sense for all of it to have been quickly forgotten once the joke is over.[[/note]]
** The focus is shifted back to [=McQueen=], racing and Radiator Springs, all of which are considered the more memorable aspects of the first film.
** Casting Mater, a character generally agreed to be likable only in small doses, as the lead in ''Cars 2'' was cited as its biggest flaw. Here, his role is dialed back to only a couple brief scenes, staying out of [=McQueen=]'s way and generally only showing up when needed.

* SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames: ''VideoGame/Cars3DrivenToWin'' is a very well-done racing game with tight controls and wide variety in characters, game modes, and tracks. It certainly helps that it was developed by [[VideoGame/DisneyInfinity Avalanche Software]].
* OlderThanTheyThink: People seem to forget that the original Cars film's first race involves a series of car crashes. The differences are that [[PlotArmor Lightning is unharmed by it]] and the crash in this film is a lot more [[AnimationBump realistic]].

** The BulletTime shot of Lightning [=McQueen=] flying through the air and crashing. [[MoneyMakingShot Though, considering it's been shown or alluded to in all the film's previews]] (the teaser revolves entirely around it) [[InvokedTrope this was likely intentional]].

* StrawmanHasAPoint: Even though it seems like a cold hearted decision for Sterling to forcibly retire Lightning, one has to remember that up until this point, Lightning was in the midst of a big losing streak, had a near fatal crash, wasn't getting anywhere during training, and trashed a multimillion dollar simulator. But then again this could be more because of the last two since Sterling was all for the idea of Lightning's comeback to the racing scene up until the simulator incident.
* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel: In general, critical reception has been more favorable to this movie than the second - the second movie had a "[[Website/RottenTomatoes Rotten]]" score of 34%, whereas the third movie has a "Fresh" score of 68%. The fact that this film focused on the racing aspect, as opposed to the second film (which started off focused on racing, but became distracted by the spy story) probably helps.

** Cruz. About half-way through the movie, Lightning snaps at her for being nothing but a mere trainer that doesn't understand what he's going through. This causes Cruz to have a minor breakdown and reveals to Lightning that she has always wanted to be a racer just like him but never felt like she belonged anywhere.

* RelationshipWritingFumble: To some, Lightning and Cruz's relationship came off as [[MentorShip unintentionally romantic]] instead of the platonic mentor-student friendship it was intended to be. Not only do a lot of their interactions come off as ShipTease (particularly since they spend a good deal of the movie together), but Sally - Lightning's canonical girlfriend - is DemotedToExtra and barely interacts with him.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Mia and Tia (the two [[{{Squee}} ecstatic groupies]] that flashed [=McQueen=] in the first film) are not featured in this film. Seeing as over ten years have passed since the original film, [[note]]Presumably InUniverse as well since [=McQueen=] is treated as a "living legend" similar to the Hudson Hornet and The King[[/note]] this film could have further enforced the theme of [=McQueen=] being past his prime by showing that they have gotten older and matured out of their giddy fangirl personas, though they are never mentioned and are replaced by [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Maddy [=McGear=]]].
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
** The WebOriginal/DoubleToasted crew went in length about how there could have been a IHatePastMe moment during one of Lightning and Jackson's conversations.
** Some have wished for [[spoiler:Lightning to have raced Storm in the Florida 500 instead of switching out with Cruz]].

** The DarkerAndEdgier route implied by the teaser. Some fans are finally glad that what is considered Pixar's most juvenile franchise is finally taking on a more adult tone. Others fear that the film may feel [[MoodWhiplash tonally inconsistent with its predecessors]], which is actually saying something considering that ''Cars 2'' was much more violent than the first ''Cars'' (then again, [[FanonDiscontinuity not a lot of fans like to acknowledge the sequel's existence]]).

** Jeff Gorvette.

** [[NamesTheSame Turns out a 2009 film was also entitled]] ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cars_3_(2009_film) Cars 3]].'' It was even released two years '''''before''''' ''Cars 2''!

* ContestedSequel: While the film is near-unanimously considered better than the second, whether it's beter than the first movie is more divisive.

* EvenBetterSequel: Not only is the film considered a big improvement over the previous sequel, but many claim it's also better than the first one.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Chip Gearings, the #11 racer, is sponsored by Combustr, an online banking service that will see its debut in the new film. [[http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODc4WDExMTA=/z/MNkAAOSwo4pYVXZp/$_1.JPG However, at first glance]] you probably would not have come to that conclusion. As you can clearly see, the piston and stylized explosion look like... [[TheStoner well...]] to put it bluntly, a car-ified version of a joint. The color choice doesn't help either.

** For some, the trailer's ShockingSwerve into DarkerAndEdgier territory creates unintentional, [[CrossesTheLineTwice line-crossing]] hilarity for an otherwise family-friendly franchise.

* OlderThanTheyThink: People seem to forget that the original Cars film's first race involves a series of car crashes. The difference is that [[PlotArmor Lightning is unharmed by it]].
** Of course, the fact that the crash in this film is a lot more [[AnimationBump realistic]] is another significant difference.
* OneSceneWonder: Other than Miss Fritter, the Thunder Hollow Speedway racers have only a few seconds onscreen, and they make every second count.
** Jeff Gorvette.

** [[spoiler: Cruz’s epic flip over Storm in the Florida 500.]]

** Lightning [=McQueen=] and Jackson Storm's contrasting color schemes[[note]]Lightning's being red with yellow flash bolts and Jackson being sleek blue and black[[/note]] are unintentionally similar to [[Series/TheFlash2014 The Flash and Zoom]].

** In the trailer, we only see the slo-mo shot of Lightning's crash, but in the actual film, [[spoiler:we see it in [[AndIMustScream all its horrific glory]], as he violently tumbles over and over on the track, sparks flying and pieces of his body coming off. It's even tougher to watch than the King's crash in the first movie. What's worse is when Lightning finally comes to a stop, he just lies motionless with his eyes shut and smoke (''possibly from his engine'') coming off him. [[PsychoStrings The music doesn't help matters.]] Keep in mind that unlike the King's crash which was on the outfield turf and Doc's crash which was on sand; Lightning's crash happened on hard asphalt. Let that [[FridgeHorror sink in for a bit...]]]]

* OlderThanTheyThink: People seem to forget that the original Cars film's first race involves a series of car crashes. The difference is that [[ProtagonistCenteredMorality Lightning is unharmed by it]].

** Miss Fritter is quite popular too, thanks to how CrazyAwesome she is and revealing to actually be pretty nice when she's not participating in demolition derbies.

* FanPreferredCouple:
** [[LesYay Cruz/Natalie]] exploded not too long after the film's release, due to Natalie's infatuation with Cruz after she [[spoiler:wins the Florida 500]].
** Some fans ship Lightning with Cruz because she is a long time fan of him.

** The ending of the film has been rather controversial in some circles, namely over [[spoiler:Cruz winning the Florida 500 instead of Lightning [[note]]though [[LoopholeAbuse technically]], Lightning won ''alongside'' Cruz since they switched halfway through[[/note]] and him later becoming her trainer. Some people feel that these factors both make Lightning suffer from BadassDecay while others point out that the [[MisaimedFandom whole point of the film was for Lightning to accept that he couldn't race like he used to and later pass on his legacy to Cruz]]]].