Planes

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Thu, 10/03/2013 - 12:14 -- Bob Gibbons

By Bob Gibbons

PlanesIf you saw Cars 2, it may seem like you’ve seen Planes because although the machines are different, the plot is very much the same. Planes is the slightly better movie, if only because planes can actually get in more dangerous situations than cars. Also, because this isn’t a sequel or a prequel to anything else (imagine that!) I went in with no pre-conceived expectations – and was surprised at how much I enjoyed this.  It’s the story of a dreamer, Dusty, a small plane who spends all day flying at slow speeds and in short straight lines, spraying crops; but he dreams of being a racer – and of being one of the select few contestants in the prestigious Wings Across the World competition. He gets into the race but he’s buffeted and badgered by the other planes until one dark and stormy night out over the Pacific, when the little plane takes a beating that may force him out of the competition before the final leg – the race to the finish ribbon in New York City.  In that final sprint, there will two planes with one of them overcoming his fears and the other relying on his arrogant prior experience. Guess which one wins?  I can, of course, neither confirm nor deny…but I can tell you there is plenty of action for young kids and enough of a story for adults. The jokes are fine and the story hangs together.  If everything looks a bit too sharp, just remember, this was going direct to video. I, for one, am glad it didn’t. The morals about the value of friendship and sportsmanship are good and there is nothing in here to embarrass anyone. You don’t often get all that in a movie at this time of year.

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