Planes: Fire & Rescue

It being the summer movie season, I thought that more animated films would have been released by now. Other than the clever "How to Train Your Dragon 2", "Planes: Fire & Rescue" is the only other one thus far. Of course, with films like "Maleficent", "Transformers: Age of Extinction", "Earth to Echo" and the "X-Men" sequel, with these including so many visuals, one might include them as animated to a degree.

On the heels of winning his around-the-world air race, world famous air racer Dusty Crophopper (Dane Cook) learns from his mechanic Dottie (Teri Hatcher) that his engine can no longer fly at high speeds and he may never race again, so he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger (Ed Harris) and his team including Lil' Dipper (Julie Bowen), Windlifter (Wes Studi) and their mechanic Maru (Curtis Armstrong) which are known as smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Others to round out the cast are John Michael Higgins as Cal, Hal Holbrook as Mayday, Brad Garrett as Chug, Stacy Keach as Skipper, Cedric the Entertainer as Leadbottom, Danny Mann as Sparky, Barry Corbin as Ol' Jammer, Regina King as Dynamite, Anne Meara as Winnie, Jerry Stiller as Harvey, Fred Willard as Secretary of the Interior, Patrick Warburton as Pulaski, Erik Estrada as Nick 'Loop'n' Lopez and John Ratzenberger as Brodi.

This was effectively directed by virtual newcomer to feature films, Bobs Gannaway ("Secret of the Wings" '12) plus video and plenty of TV. This guy will undoubtedly receive more theatrical film work since his style and quality is as talented as any veteran director out there. The story and screenplay were by Gannaway and Jeffrey M. Howard, and it really wasn't a sequel as much as it was somewhat of a continuation of "Planes" '13. After his win, he now has no choice but to have to reinvent himself since he is unable to race, so joining the aerial firefighters, he doesn't have to race, but still feels he has worth if this works for him. If, a huge word as he finds out all too clear. So the premise was quite clever--definite, obvious similarities, however with a good dose of originality in premise and script to hold its audience's attention. And the animation by the Disney Toon Studios was superb.

Yes, I still feel like it's Pixar Animation's "Cars" with wings, but with a cohesive plot and effective characterization, it is extremely difficult to fault it too much. A great family film in the 3D format to entertain all.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                        Rated: PG                          83mins.