Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Cars 3 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

PIXAR's wonderful stages-of-life film 'Cars 3' never received a Blu-ray 3D release in the United States, but the studio's United Kingdom release is region free. This three-disc set includes the 3D movie disc, a 2D Blu-ray copy of the film, and a third bonus features Blu-ray disc; the latter two contain all of the supplements from the U.S. release. Both of these UK discs contain the same high-quality DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack found on the U.S. Blu-ray.

We make 3D look good...or is it the other way around?

Cars 3 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Cars 3 looks genuinely amazing in 3D. One of the biggest reasons why is that so much of the movie, or at least so many of its key, big scenes, takes place in fairly round racetracks, where large stands tower over the track's periphery and upcoming (or distant, if the camera is looking backwards) corners allow an even greater appreciation for the various venues' scope and scale. As the cars race around, and the distance between the camera and points of reference is ever-changing, the 3D's qualities prove their worth like they have in few other films, creating a dynamic, ever-shifting perspective that remains constant and true to both size and length. With the camera often low to the track, the track's curvature also becomes quickly apparent, and the shape and volume of each car is clear to see, particularly considering that they're mostly all very curvy rather than angular (Jackson Storm being an exception). Lightning's rollover accident in chapter three sees the car spin out of and flip back into the screen. Debris is tossed about and sparks appear to float out of the screen.

More generally, there's a wonderful sense of screen stretch. Background distance is incredible, whether gazing far off down a beach or towards the desert beyond Radiator Springs (which is also home to nicely defined building volume and space between structures, as well as support elements like billboards and electrical wires and poles). Smaller distances impress in their own right, such as when the camera allows the viewer to gaze into a garage bay where the cars are stored or in which they are repaired. There is some nice environmental stretch during a montage in chapter six as Lightning travels to the performance center along various examples of natural terrain and across various manmade objects, like a bridge. While significant pop-put effects are few and far between (with a few good ones at Thunder Hollow), the basic depth and shape, as well as those extraordinary race track sequences, make this a major winner for the 3D format.

The presentation's general attributes shine in 3D as well. Detailing is crisp and firm. There's very little, if any, downgrade from the 2D's brilliance in terms of the 3D image's ability to convey all of the wonderful digital texturing -- shiny cars, heavily used racetrack surface, desert around Radiator Springs, mud in Thunder Hollow, flashy interiors inside the performance center -- with the utmost care and accuracy. Colors are likewise rich and bold. The diverse palette pops with regularity, whether punchy car colors or some fiery oranges at Thunder Hollow. Black levels are very deep. The review XBR65Z9D displayed no significant crosstalk. This is a wonderful 3D image that format (and film) fans need to import. Of all the 3D titles Disney did not release in the United States, this may be the best of the bunch.

Cars 3 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full audio review, please click please click here.

Cars 3 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Cars 3 contains all of the supplements from the US release, spread out over two discs. The 3D disc contains only one extra, the short film Lou in 3D (1080p 3D, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, 6:43), which is also on the included 2D movie disc. For convenience, below is a list of what's included. For a full supplemental review, please click here.

Disc One:

• Lou
• Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool
• Ready for the Race
• Cruz Ramirez: The Yellow Car That Could
• Audio Commentary

• Behind the Scenes: A five-part feature.
• Generations: The Story of Cars 3
• Let's. Get. Crazy.
• Cars to Die(cast) For
• Legendary
• World's Fastest Billboard
• Fly Throughs
• My First Car
• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers
• Promos

Cars 3 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cars 3 is a terrific film about growing old and growing up. If it's the last in the series, it's a fitting, beautiful finale that brings its characters full circle, and not just around the racing oval. Disney's 3D release is even better. The region-free 3D disc is a sight to see, and the set contains the same excellent 7.1 audio track and numerous supplements of the US release. Very highly recommended; 3D imports don't come much better than this.