Planes (film)

DustyCH

Planes is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated comedy film produced by DisneyToon Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Klay Hall, the film is a spin-off of Pixar's Cars franchise and the first installment in the Planes trilogy. It tells the story of Dusty Crophopper, a crop duster plane who dreams of becoming a racing aircraft.

Plot

Dusty Crophopper is a small-town crop duster plane who dreams of competing in the prestigious Wings Around the Globe rally. Despite his fear of heights and his not being built for racing, Dusty trains with his mentor, Skipper Riley, a veteran fighter. With determination, Dusty qualifies for the competition, where he competes against a diverse cast of characters from around the world. Throughout the race, Dusty learns valuable lessons about courage, perseverance, and friendship.

Cast

• Dane Cook as Dusty Crophopper, an ambitious crop duster plane.
• Stacy Keach as Skipper Riley, Dusty's mentor and a veteran navy plane.
• Brad Garrett as Chug, a fuel truck who supports Dusty.
• Teri Hatcher as Dottie, a forklift who is Dusty's friend and mechanic.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Rochelle, a racing plane and Dusty's love interest.
• John Cleese as Bulldog, a British racing plane.
• Carlos Alazraqui as El Chupacabra, a Mexican racing plane.

Production

The concept for Planes was initially developed as a direct-to-video film, but after the success of the Cars franchise, it was upgraded to a theatrical release. The film's development was significantly influenced by director Klay Hall's personal love for aviation. The production team conducted extensive research on planes and aviation, consulting with pilots and aerodynamics experts to make the film's flying scenes as realistic as possible.

Release

Planes was released in the United States on August 9, 2013. The film was originally set to be released by Walt Disney Home Entertainment, but it was later decided to give it a theatrical release. It was also released in various international markets, with localized versions featuring celebrity voices from those regions.

Reception

Planes received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its animation quality and voice cast but criticized it for its predictable story and lack of originality compared to the Cars movies. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. The film's success led to two sequels, Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014) and an untitled third film that has been announced.

Merchandising

Following its release, Planes spawned a wide range of merchandise, including toys, video games, clothing, and books, further expanding the Cars franchise universe.

Sequels and Spin-offs

The sequel, Planes: Fire & Rescue, was released on July 18, 2014, focusing on Dusty's new career as a firefighter. The third installment of the Planes series has been announced, promising to expand the storyline and introduce new characters.