Planes Review - It Just About Takes Flight

Planes is DisneyToon Studios’ first US theatrical release since Bambi II in 2006. The film follows crop duster, tractor plane Dusty, who dreams of being a racing plane in the high-flying air competition.

New Planes Clip: John Cleese Gets Shamed by El Chupacabra

Disney have released a clip from their upcoming spin-off of Pixar's Cars franchise, Planes. The clip shows El Chupacabra (voice of Carlos Alazraqui) shaming seemingly arrogant veteran Bulldog (John Cleese). The humour's about what you'd expect it to be. Although word is the film is actually quite decent; our own Nadine saw the film in Leicester Square last week, but you won't be hearing her thoughts until after the embargo is lifted on 7th August.

Planes, which was originally intended as direct-to-DVD film, is produced by DisneyToon Studios and directed by Klay Hall. The film also stars the voices of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach and Brad Garrett; Pixar and Disney Animation CCO John Lasseter is executive producing.

The film set "above the world of Cars" opens on 9th August (US)/16th August (UK).

New Planes Trailer Showcases Gorgeous Animation and What Appears To Be The Entire Plot

Considering their shocking lack of advertising for Frozen, Disney have done a hell of a job marketing Planes. They've turned this former straight-to-video Cars spin-off that everybody had written off as a cheap, shoddy, money grab, into one of my most anticipated theatrical animated releases of the year. That turnaround continues today with a great new trailer.

Planes Cast and Character Posters Revealed

Disney have struck gold with Cars - while the franchise may not be a hit with critics everywhere, kids (and a lot of others fans too) love it, and, in terms of merchandise alone, it makes a killing. As such, it's a logical, and very Disney, step to make a direct-to-video follow up. Said direct-to-video follow up though - in the spirit of Pixar's Toy Story 2 before it - is now going to be released theatrically, as Planes will soar onto screens this summer.

Watch: New Trailers for Cloudy 2 and Planes

Yesterday was a big poster day, today is a big trailer day. Sony have just rolled out the first trailer for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on Yahoo! Movies, and it's good. Cloudy 2 clearly retains the visual inventiveness and quirky humour of the first film, and if you like food-related puns, you're in for a treat.

DisneyToon Studios' Planes Now to Be Released Theatrically

DisneyToon Studios' controversial Cars spin-off, Planes, was previously intended for a direct-to-DVD release for next Autumn, however, Box Office Mojo now reports that it will be released in cinemas. A release date of 9th August, 2013 is cited, which will put it in box office competition with DreamWorks' seemingly Cars-esque Turbo (check out the teaser trailer for that film here).

As Upcoming Pixar points out, with John Lasseter producing, this could be a sign that the film has turned out really rather well. On the flip-side, the much more pragmatic and pessimistic side, it could be just a ploy for money. We'll find out soon enough, I'm positive it won't be Pixar quality, but it should be enjoyable enough

Planes is directed by Klay Hall (The Simpsons, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure) and stars the voices of Jon Cryer and Brad Garrett. In my interview with Superman Classic director Rob Pratt, he spoke about Planes and the team working on it, saying:

""PLANES" has been a pleasure to work on largely because of the support John Lasseter has shown for the production. "Cars" is clearly a passion project for him, and he is so excited about having that world expanded. My director, Klay Hall, is an inspiring guy to be around, so knowledgeable and a great collaborator. I've learned a lot from him! The story crew got to be very close - I truly like and respect everyone on our team. I'm very proud of how the movie is coming out!"

Via Cartoon Brew.