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Pixar’s animated films never fail to be about something — story and theme integrated to have an emotional effect on viewers young and old in a way that sets the films apart from their many competitors. “Cars 2,” released in 2011, was a notable exception, diverging from Pixar’s winning formula to turn the burgeoning franchise into a dazzling but dopey spy adventure with next to nothing on its mind. “Cars 3” gets the franchise back on track with a story that U-turns to the heart of the 2006 original.

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.