Planes 3D
(2013)From above the world of 'Cars'
From the animated world of Pixar's Cars comes this high-flying Disney tale of a cropdusting plane named Dusty, who dreams of competing in a famous aerial race. There's only one problem: he's afraid of heights. Features the voice talents of Dane Cook, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stacy Keach and John Cleese.... More
Originally to be released as direct-to-DVD, early scenes impressed the powers-that-be at Disney enough to step it up to a theatrical release. The film's executive producer and co-writer is John Lasseter, the Pixar sage behind Toy Story and Cars.Hide
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Directed by Klay Hall
Starring Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Priyanka Chopra, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Sinbad, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer
Written by Jeffrey M. Howard, John Lasseter, Klay Hall
Studio DisneyToon Studios
Flicks Review
BY Aaron Yap Flicks Writer
Being a blatant cash cow-milking spin-off of Cars - arguably Pixar’s worst, least loved franchise - the idea of Planes has always smacked of direct-to-video filler. Still, that doesn’t really prepared you for how shockingly devoid it is of anything resembling originality, wit or surprise. Granted, it’s Disney’s project, not Pixar's, but the same overall level of indifference and subpar storytelling that plagued Cars and its sequel has carried through here, and in effect amplified the primary issue with the series: the absence of consistent internal logic to its off-putting, unshakably creepy human-less universe of talking machines. Like why would these machines require portaloos, suitcases or a Taj Mahal? Why would they leave lipstick marks when they kiss? Kids won’t care? Fine, but when you stack this up against the likes of Wall-E, Up, Ratatouille, etc - animated features with wholly believable, richly developed worlds despite their flights of fancy - there’s only one word that applies to Planes: laziness.... More
The story regurgitates your standard underdog-triumphs formula, about a good-hearted crop duster named Dusty (Dane Cook) who’s realising his dream of competing in the Wings Around the Globe rally. Helping him get there is veteran bomber Skipper (Stacy Keach), whose prestigious stature is, naturally, predicated on a lie for a convenient eleventh-hour setback. Unmemorable B-list voice talent, ethnic stereotypes and the odd “tech-savvy” gag about iPads abound. Parents can zone out, kids might momentarily marvel at the fleeting bursts of globe-trotting aerial action.Hide
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Planes 3D
BY RealityCheck superstar
Like 'Cars' but in the sky. I know, that's silly, yet when you watch it, you'll realise that's about the best descriction. Just as good as 'Cars' & other Pixar films, you know what your watching and they deliver it.
Genre : Animated, adventure, comedy, family
3/5 : A bit too much like others, yet still good watching.
The Press Reviews
26%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
It's a pleasant enough expression of a series of familiar story beats, but apart from a few brief action-sequence moments, it could hardly be more rote. Full Review
A Pixney misfire. Full Review
It's an amiable enough entertainment, gentle and good-natured. Full Review
Despite the more aerodynamic setting, this Cars 3D offshoot emerges as an uninspired retread. Full Review
For the most part content to imitate rather than innovate. Full Review
An endearing enough David-and-Goliath tale, aimed squarely at younger kids. Full Review
The lack of wit and humanity that makes exec producer John Lasseter's best work so special will leave grown-ups feeling frustratingly grounded. Full Review
So overrun with broad cultural stereotypes that it should come with free ethnic-sensitivity training for especially impressionable kids. Full Review
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