Cars 3 New Trailer Brings The Sequel Back To Familiar Territory

A model of Lightning McQueen from the Disney Pixar movie 'Cars 3' is shown during the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 10, 2017. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
A model of Lightning McQueen from the Disney Pixar movie 'Cars 3' is shown during the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 10, 2017. / AFP / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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This isn’t the best one among the teasers and trailers that we have seen so far from Disney-Pixar’s Cars franchise. But the new trailer of the upcoming Cars 3 animation flick still promises a fun-filled, thrill ride for the family.

The first bunch of teasers and trailers for Cars 3 didn’t find universal acclaim, especially with its target audience – children. While many, (including yours truly) were both intrigued and excited about the grittier and darker tone, moms and kids reacted differently. The clips released on YouTube and the trailer attached to Moana ended up making kids upset, worried and pushed a lot of them to tears.

The first teaser with its gloomy visual style and editing showed McQueen tumbling across the track in slow-motion, sparks and debris flying all over the place. No background score other than the sound of him breathing heavily. Everything hinting at the character preparing himself for certain death. No wonder the children broke into tears at this gut-wrenching sight.

The follow-up promotional videos were more about keeping the ship steady. The message had to be conveyed before all hell breaks loose. Things weren’t going to be to be that lethal for our leading man (or car, in this case) and Lightning McQueen isn’t going to die in Cars 3.

Come on, Cars is a billion-dollar brand for Disney with two-highly successful box-office blockbusters in its kitty. Then there are the TV shows, a theme park, spin-off movies, and the extensive tie-in merchandise which continue to sell around the world. The toy line itself brought in $10 billion in sales and that was even before Cars 2 was released. That muddled-sequel was made for the sole reason to sell more toys. So one can only imagine how many more billions Disney made after the sequel’s release. Will Disney be that foolish to kill off one of their most-liked and bankable movie icons? Never.

The “Next Generation” trailer is the one which sold the movie to everyone with its kinetic editing, charged-up background score and excellent shot selection. One look at Jackson Storm and you knew that McQueen is now up against his most fearsome rival.

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A follow-up trailers called “Lightning Strikes” and “The Next Generation” shifted lanes in style and presentation, showcasing the movie as a slick, fast-paced, super-charged action thriller with motorsports drama. A neat combo which scored will be both children and adults. Kids were relieved that McQueen is just badly hurt and isn’t going to die. The new trailers were all about how the beaten and outdated McQueen gets back on his feet and takes on his more advanced and formidable rival – Jackson Storm. That’s the part which the adults fell for. The Fast and Furious aesthetics of “The Next Generation” hit the ball out of the park for that audience.

The brand-new trailer which made its arrival on YouTube recently is more in line with the promotional clips of the original Cars movie. We have an ambitious good guy, a super-fast bad guy, a break from racing and life lessons to be learnt. Eventually both the hearts of the cheering crowds and the lady have to be won. Not to mention the crown as the World Champion. It’s the same equation which made the first Cars a success and a better-reviewed movie compared to Cars 2.

Cars 3 features the voice acting talents of Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, Armie Hammer as Jackson Storm, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez, Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera and Cheech Marin as Ramone. Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion and Lea DeLaria are also lending their voices for supporting characters.

Next: Transformers: The Last Knight Final Trailer Arrives!

Directed by Brian Fee, Cars 3 will charge into theaters on June 16, 2017.