Planes (August 9, 2013)

This is the first of two spinoff movies to the Cars franchise, the other being its 2014 sequel, Planes: Fire and Rescue. Curiously, these films were produced by Disneytoon studios, (though co-written and executively produced by John Lasseter who directed the first two Cars films) primarily responsible for direct to video films, instead of Pixar. In fact, Planes was initially set to be released as a direct-to-video film but was instead released theatrically. It follows Dusty Crophopper, a crop duster with dreams of being a racer. He successfully qualifies for the Wings Across the Globe race and goes on a jet setting adventure featuring multiple legs and far flung locales (similar to Cars 2). It is an interesting concept that allows for some interesting international competitors and locations (though the animation is not nearly as great as the Cars films from Pixar). Dusty comes from lowly roots and rises to become a world champion. The story hits many of the same beats of Cars- a crotchety old and wise mentor, small town companions cheering him on, hotshot racer that feels threatened by his sudden rise from obscurity. But Dusty is no Lightning McQueen. Wings Across the Globe is his first taste of official racing (he had been training through his crop-dusting duties back home on the farm). His personality, as well, differs as he is a real home grown, salt of the earth type of plane, kind to a fault with no ego, but everything to prove. Dusty reminds me of Blu from Rio, in that he has an odd fear for his kind, in his case a deathly fear of heights, forces him to be creative in his racing style. He is likable, a genuine “golden boy,” but as interesting as wet cardboard. His mentor, Skipper Riley, is the most interesting character being a former fighter plane during World War II who was shot down during his first, and subsequently only, mission. I would have rather followed his adventures dog fighting rather than a rehash of racing. The rest of the cast are not really notable, many being fairly stereotypical of their respective nationalities (I did appreciate the female representation in the form of Rochelle, a French Canadian, and Ishani, an Indian plane. Overall Planes is an ok film. When I originally watched it in theaters, I had low expectations for it as a blatant cash grab, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now re-watching it I do not have as high an opinion of it, but I still believe it is watchable (perfect for a matinee) with an incredibly varied selection of planes on offer and an interesting worldwide aerial race.

Final Rating: 5/10