Movie review
June 15, 2017 · 102 min · G
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Cars 3 follows Lightning McQueen as he faces obsolescence from a new generation of faster, tech-enhanced racers and seeks a comeback through training and self-reflection. The narrative drives on legacy, perseverance, and finding purpose beyond personal glory in the Piston Cup world. A visible but secondary empowerment thread runs through Cruz Ramirez's arc as an ambitious young female trainer who overcomes doubt, earns skills via mentorship, and claims victory in the finale after McQueen yields the spotlight to support her success.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Cars 3.
Woke representation / casting
New character Cruz Ramirez is a capable female trainer and racer voiced by Latina actress Cristela Alonzo with arc elements drawn from her experiences; it adds visible inclusion in the new generation without story-world mismatch, forced signaling, or unearned dominance.
Woke political dialogue
Any historical racing-barrier references via old cars stay light and allegorical with no explicit modern activist language, identity debates, or lectures.
Identity-driven story themes
Cruz's self-belief journey and finale victory after McQueen mentors her and steps aside deliver a clear, audience-noticeable female success and next-gen inclusion beat that recurs in key character moments alongside the primary legacy story.
Western institutional / cultural critique
The film stresses merit, adaptation, hard work, and traditional mentorship with zero modern activist framing of patriarchy, toxic masculinity, systemic barriers, or cultural norms as flawed.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Backlash accusing woke or activist messaging is minimal and mostly absent; coverage stayed story-focused, with scattered progressive notes on insufficient boldness and right-leaning praise for its non-political values.
Creator track record context
No relevant prior work cited for director, producers, or writers showing activist or identity-driven patterns.
Production
