Planes: Fire and Rescue-better than the first one

Planes is the kind of direct to DVD workhorse that most studios would love to have.  In this case, as in the first Planes, it goes to theaters for a week or two and will be out on DVD in two months.  It’s not a slam to say direct to DVD.  However, it’s not at the same Frozen level of quality that families expect from the brand.  Disney will make about 200 million in theaters and push it out on DVD.  With all this in mind, Planes: Fire and Rescue is better than the first movie and has some genuine laughs in it.

Planes established a low bar and hit the mark.  Planes: Fire and Rescue doesn’t set the bar any higher, but manages to have more jokes, a prettier movie and was enjoyed more by our 4 year old.   As a result of that, I enjoyed the movie more too.

Dusty Crophopper has developed a problem with his engine that prevents him from racing.  At the same time a fire and rescue crew in the mountains needs another plane for the coming busy season.  Dusty heads to the mountains; learns about fighting fires, friendship, hard work and responsibility.

The vocal cast in Fire and Rescue has more pep than the first movie.  Julie Bowed, Ed Harris, Wes Studi, Curtis Armstrong and Stiller & Meara to mention a few are voices that really stand out in the film.  It’s because the supporting vocal cast is so good that Dane Cook, the voice of Dusty Crophopper comes across as so flat.  Set against the gravitas of Studi, Hal Holbrook and Brad Garrett, Dusty’s voice-and to an extent, his character were forgettable.

We saw a four year old friend of ours and asked him what movies he’s seen recently.  “Planes, I really like planes.  We have it on video”, he proudly said.  That’s the prime demographic that Planes: Fire and Rescue is after.  Boys and girls ages 4-8 will like it, 9 year olds might enjoy it if it’s raining and 10 year old will ask to see Frozen or Cars again.   Parents will be mildly entertained at the movie, more so at how their young children are enjoying it.