Planes: Fire & Rescue is the second of three movies planned for the Planes trilogy which is a spin-off from Pixar’s Cars. After becoming a success on the racing circuit, Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dane Cook) is getting ready for his biggest race to date. During a flight, his gear box gives out and he is told that it cannot be replaced. Not understanding his own limits, Dusty ends up causing damage to a local business and gets pushed in the world of Aerial Firefighting where he learns that being a real hero means checking your ego at the door.
Although Planes and Planes: Fire & Rescue are spin-offs from Cars, neither was produced by Pixar. Both movies were instead made by DisneyToon Studios. The difference between the two studios may not be obvious in the animation, but it is obvious in the quality of the story.
This movie is a movie for kids. I don’t say that because I feel that all cartoons are for kids, I don’t. I love Disney and Pixar movies, but this one doesn’t have that delicate balance of humor geared for children as well as for adults. Planes Fire & Rescue is a movie for younger kids that focuses more on fart humor than subtleness. The biggest nod to adults this movie gives is the fictional TV show “CHoPs” that is mentioned in the film. And even that homage is probably lost on parents younger than 35.
Planes: Fire & Rescue boasts a long list of celebrities who voice its main characters. Some returning from the first movie and a new batch for the new characters in this sequel. In addition to Cook, Stacy Keach voices Skipper, Brad Garrett voices Chug, Teri Hatcher voices Dottie, Danny Mann voices Sparky, Cedric the Entertainer voices Leadbottom, Hal Holbrook voices Mayday, Julie Bowen voices Lil’ Dipper, Ed Harris voices Blade Ranger, and Wes Studi voices Windlifter
Planes: Fire & Rescue comes in a combo pack that includes a regular DVD version, a Blu-ray disc as well as a Digital HD copy for digital download The extras on the combo pack include: The “CHoPs” TV Promo, Animated short “Vitaminamulch: Air Spectacular”, Air Attack: Firefighters From The Sky, Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Intros, “Still I Fly” Music Video By Spencer Lee, and Take a Trip to Piston Peak promotional film
Planes: Fire & Rescue comes to DVD and Blu-ray on November 4, 2014. The movie is rated PG for action and some peril and it runs 84 minutes.
