by R.C. Samo
Editor-in-Chief
When we first heard about Disney’s Planes, most everyone moaned, “Uh, it’s just like Cars only in the sky.” The truth is, it is better. Director Klay Hall’s vision of what Planes should be surpasses all expectations. The 3D, in a rare instance actually enhances the audiences’ experience, making you feel like you are in the cockpit of this high octane, laugh-riot animated feature.
Roger Craig Smith, the voice of Ripslinger said, “It’s just a true underdog story about being more than what you’re built for. It’s so much fun. It’s why you go to the movies in the summertime. I’ve seen it two times already and I’m going to see it three more times before the weekend’s over. It’s a fast, fun ride for the entire family. It is a phenomenal film done by Disneytoon Studios and I couldn’t be more proud and honored to be a part of it.”
Carlos Alazraqui , the voice of El Chupacabra, steals the movie right out from Dane Cook’s underdog, Dusty Crophopper, with the help of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who voices the French-Canadian Rochelle, the object of El’s desires. Brad Garrett’s Chug is essentially Mater, but with better jokes and comedic timing.
The opening sequence felt like an hommage to Top Gun and Iron Eagle. The flight patterns will make aviator fans sit on the edge of their seats with the details to precision of flight patterns. Hall said they spent four years in a labor of love visiting various airbases, jetliners and fields to get a feel of just how each of these different styles of planes fly, and his effort in those travels paid off on screen. Disneytoon was able to recreate all those flight patterns accurately, which is the most impressive aspect of this film!
Take the kids, take a date, go alone, you’re not going to be disappointed. Is it similar to Cars? Sure, but don’t forget, “It’s the world above Cars.” We know the crowd over at D23 Expo loved it, because we chose to sit with them and experience what true Disney fans want in a fun underdog story with a great soundtrack to boot.
Planes opens nationwide August, 9, 2013
