PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (2014)

Genre: CG Animation
Director: Bob Gannaway
Cast: Dane Cook, Julie Bowen, Ed Harris, Regina King, Stacy Keach, Corri English, Wes Studi, Patrick Warburton, Jerry Stiller, John Michael Higgins, Kari Wahlgren, Fred Willard, Anne Meara, Erik Estrada, Dale Dye
Runtime: 1 hr 24 mins
Rating: G
Released By: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures 
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 4 September 2014

Synopsis: "Planes: Fire & Rescue" is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited super scooper Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Movie Review:

The first thing that comes to mind when we first heard that there was going to be a sequel to the 2013 Planes (which is a spin off of Pixar’s Cars franchise, mind you) was: toys. If you have been a frequent visitor to toy stores, you’d know the countless number of merchandise produced for Cars and Planes. So, is this sequel to a spin off necessary? In this day and age where money making is key, the question may not be a relevant one. What matters is, whether the movie can bring in big bucks, and that’s not just from the box office takings.

The film carries on where the original left off. Plucky racer Dusty Crophopper (again voiced by Dane Cook) is flying high after winning the aeronautical Grand Prix. But his ancient gearbox is knackered and as the factory that made them is long gone there can only be one outcome: Dusty must retire from racing. His refusal to bow to the inevitable leads to a fire at his local airfield weeks before a big air show. When an officious safety truck closes down the place, Dusty is inspired to save the day by getting certified as an aerial firefighter. His training takes him to the PistonPeakNational Parkwhere an elite squad of daredevil helicopters, tractors and planes are hard at work during wildfire season. There he must put his ego aside, accept his limitations and learn the values of teamwork and self-sacrifice.

Now, don’t you start yawning and scoff this old-fashioned kiddie flick with a straightforward story, simple characters and a heartfelt message. It is what Disney is known for. And if it means spending 84 minutes of your time inside a theatre, so be it. Of course, a wholesome flick like this would go down better with the kiddies, so things may be better if you were out on a wholesome family outing with your young siblings or relatives.

For the older crowd, you may grumble how this production isn’t what you remember about Disney. There was a time when Disney animators pulled out something special for school holidays. Here, we have a sequel to a movie which was supposed to be a straight to home entertainment spin off? Produced by DisneyToon Studios, which is better known for their direct to video productions, this is their occasional theatrical release. Others include 1995’s A Goofy Movie, 2000’s The Tigger Movie, 2002’s Return to NeverLandand 2003’s The Jungle Book 2 – just so you get the drift.

The voice cast does a capable job: listen out for Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, John Michael Haggis, Hal Holbrook and Cedric the Entertainer as they bring the mechanised and motorised planes to life. After a frantic first act, the movie relaxes into its sunny, pleasingly detailed universe, as Dusty starts his new career patrolling the national park. The dropping of powder on to forest fires provides a fresh angle, the action is colourful, and once it gets past the quickfire editing of the early stages, the application of 3D heightens the sense of space and glide. 

Movie Rating:

(Not much magic here, but it’s enough to entertain 84 minutes of your time)

Review by John Li