6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.
Starring: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Curtis Armstrong, John Michael HigginsFamily | 100% |
Animation | 86% |
Adventure | 72% |
Comedy | 57% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (as download)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Just like Cars 2 took a sharp left from Pixar's Cars, Planes: Fire & Rescue is a big departure from Planes. So what exactly do you call a loose sequel to a loose spin-off of another loose sequel? I have no idea. I only know the result shouldn't be this formulaic. There's nothing particularly wrong with Fire & Rescue. Kids will certainly get their kicks, moms and dads will crack a few smiles, and, yes, the whole family will have a fairly good time soaring the smoky skies with Dusty and his friends. But DisneyToon Studios has yet to deliver a feature film that isn't rooted in made-for-video convention, and the entire production lacks the patented Pixar magic that might elevate it to greater heights. The cynic in me isn't surprised at all. It isn't hard to peg the sequel as the overstuffed, underdeveloped toy commercial it is. The Pixar fan in me is in mourning. The Disney subsidiary hasn't cranked out a 5-star experience -- by its own hand or via DisneyToon Studios -- since 2010's Toy Story 3. And the animation junkie in me is still shrugging his shoulders. Planes' animation was already more in line with Mater's Tall Tales than the theatrical Cars films, and Fire & Rescue follows suit. At least the father in me came away mildly satisfied. My son had fun with Fire & Rescue... to a degree. Even he seemed to sense the sequel wasn't landing as smoothly or gracefully as it should.
There's a bit of banding on the radar, but otherwise Fire & Rescue's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation boasts the kind of clear-skies flying a high-scoring animated adventure demands. Colors are bold and striking, with flashes of rich color, primary brilliance and deep blacks. Saturation and contrast are gorgeous too, and there's a consistency and overall clarity on display that falls in line with other recent Disney/Pixar/DisneyToon Blu-rays. Edge definition is crisp and clean, fine textures are refined and revealing, and there's very little in the way of aliasing (though I did notice a small handful of exceedingly negligible instances). There also isn't any noise, macroblocking or other distractions to contend with, allowing the presentation to soar.
Planes: Fire & Rescue features a fantastic DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. A few scenes are a tad front-heavy, sure. But the bulk of the sequel sounds every bit as good and every bit as invigorating as a summer theatrical release should. Voices are perfectly intelligible, grounded in the soundscape and prioritized at all times, and dynamics never disappoint. The LFE channel roars to life with every plane engines, rages with every wildfire, and throws its full support behind every daring rescue and action sequence, without exception. Rear speaker activity only intensifies the experience, pulling the listener deeper and deeper into the heart of Piston Peak and surrounding anyone in the room with the convincing, enveloping sounds of rustling trees, crackling flames and death-defying fly-bys. Junior audiophiles will be bouncing in their seats.
Planes: Fire & Rescue feels more like a direct-to-video follow-up -- Planes 1.5 -- than a full-fledged big screen sequel, and DisneyToon Studios once again fails to deliver a film capable of standing alongside Disney and Pixar's most beloved classics. But kids will enjoy it much more than the adults in the room, so that's at least something... something crucial even. Disney's Blu-ray release is much more rewarding thankfully. Though light on supplements, the BD combo pack features a striking video presentation and thrilling DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track; more than enough to save Planes: Fire & Rescue from itself.
Exclusive Lenticular Packaging
2014
with Bonus DVD
2014
with "Brave Firefighters" digital storybook
2014
2013
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2017
2013
2014
2014
Ballerina
2016
2016
2014
2012
2012
Bounce-A-Rrrific Special Edition
2000
2008
2016
2011
2017
2010
2008
2006
Collector's Edition
2015
2009