Look, this is a perfectly serviceable Disney movie that checks the boxes: positive messages, colorful animation, no objectionable content. Your kid will probably enjoy it while it's on.

But let's be real—this is a sequel to a Cars spinoff that nobody was asking for. The critics were right to be lukewarm (44% on Rotten Tomatoes), and that 2.2/5 on Letterboxd tells you everything you need to know about its lasting impact. It's formulaic, predictable, and lacks the cleverness or emotional depth that makes Pixar films rewatchable for adults.

The firefighting angle is the most interesting thing about it, and there are some decent lessons about resilience and service. But this is firmly in the "rainy afternoon background viewing" category, not the "family movie night classic" tier. If your kid is into planes or vehicles, they'll watch it. If not, you're not missing much by skipping it.