This will not be remembered as a high-water mark in the story of Disney animation. “Planes,” a candy-colored spin-off of the profitable world of the “Cars” movies, is downright mediocre.
For the record, 6-year-olds should enjoy the film just fine. But we expect more from Disney, and anybody beyond the first grade is going to find this one a rough landing.
An opening title informs us that this movie takes place in the same world as “Cars” and its sequel: no human characters in sight, but machines with eyeballs and voices and the usual hopes and dreams. There are plenty of cars around, but this time our focus is on a spunky cropdusting plane named Dusty Crophopper (unconvincingly voiced by comedian Dane Cook).
Dusty dreams of racing in a fabulous around-the-world contest, an unlikely prospect given the greater speed of his sleeker rivals. But he makes the final roster, as you probably suspected he would.
The rest of the movie is the race, which makes stops in Iceland, India and Mexico. This could be a great setup for a story, as anybody with a childhood memory of “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” will agree.
The humor recalls “Cars 2,” as it includes jokes about the stereotypes of various nationalities. Even when these are occasionally funny, they never feel fresh. (All right, I enjoyed the Mexican ballad version of the ’70s hit “Love Machine” — but I wasn’t proud of myself for it.)
For a movie so lightweight, “Planes” has a few awkward moments of gravity, including Dusty’s betrayal at the hands of a trusted competitor, and a sideplot about an old WWII Corsair (Stacy Keach) who mentors Dusty but bears a dark secret of his own. If these things were in a thought-out Pixar cartoon, they might provide something to chew on — but not here.
The digital animation is as competent as we expect, and the 3D is nondescript. A few flying scenes are clever, but given the possibilities of computer-generated effects, it’s odd that there aren’t more thrilling moments of lighter-than-air adventure.
In short: Blah. In the wake of Disney’s “Lone Ranger” fiasco, this is turning into a summer to forget for Mickey Mouse and his friends. Back to the drawing board — or the digital-imaging program, or whatever.
“Planes” HH
A dud from Disney: This animated 3D comedy re-visits the world of Pixar’s “Cars,” but with a spunky cropdusting plane (voiced by Dane Cook) in the hero role. An around-the-world race ought to be a great setup for a story, but this one feels warmed-over and the jokes are pretty feeble.
Rated: PG for subject matter.
Showing: Alderwood 7, Edmonds, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Marsyville, Olympic, Stanwood, Pacific Place, Thornton Place, Woodinville, Blue Fox, Cascade Mall.
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