Cars 3 review: Lightning McQueen is feeling his age in new Pixar cartoon

Cars 3 (3D, U, 109 mins)

Director: Brian Fee 

Stars: Owen Wilson, Armie Hammer, Cristela Alonzo

But time really does seems to catch up with the racing heroes of Disney-Pixar’s talking vehicle franchise.

After Dusty Crophopper packed it in to become a firefighter in Planes 2, Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is feeling his age in Cars 3. 

A new generation of racing cars have left him in the dust.

He still has his fans but terms like “veteran” and “legend” suggest they could be about to wave the chequered flag on his glittering career.

So the depressed racer turns to new trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) and a flashy new sponsor who has plans for a merchandise-flogging swan song.

The tills in the Disney Stores should keep ringing, too, thanks to a string of slick and moderately exciting racing scenes. 

Parents are more likely to appreciate the moral of the tale: once again, this is about a hero putting ego aside to learn the values of teamwork and self-sacrifice.

If terrible tots take that home with them, then everyone’s a winner.