I know one of the things that my husband misses badly about our days pre-Noey and Mei days is the cinema. The man is quite a movie buff but we now honestly don’t have the luxury of time (nor the energy, really!) to catch movies in the cinema as regularly as we used to. These days we are resigned to waiting for the later release of films for home theatre and watching them on our own screens, if we get round to watching them at all!
So I am always really pleased when a movie that the whole family can watch together is released — like Disney’s latest movie release Planes: Fire & Rescue.
Confession: It was only when I got notice that we’d be attending the movie premiere of Planes: Fire & Rescue that we finally got round to watching the first Disney Planes movie. I rented the DVD for the kids so that we could all get up to speed on the story of how Dusty Crophopper reached beyond himself and became a racing champion. Having watched both movies however, I can safely say that there is no need for you to have watched the first movie to appreciate the second. While Planes: Fire & Rescue picks up the story where Planes left off, it introduces a new cast of characters and embarks on a new storyline.
In this movie, Dusty Crophopper is a world-famous air-racer at the peak of his career when, following an incident during a training run, he learns that his gearbox is irreparably damaged and he would never race again. When the need arises for a second fire-fighter in Dusty’s hometown of Propwash Junction, Dusty steps up and enters the world of aerial firefighting. He joins forces with veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited air tanker Dipper, heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex- military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave 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.
The kids were tremendously excited to watch this show, and i’m glad we were not disappointed. While the storyline was rather formulaic, it was also earnest and a meaningful tribute to the work of firefighters, true heroes who risk their lives daily for people they don’t know. I thought the opening tribute at the start was a nice touch. Planes: Fire & Rescue is also a movie about second-chances and pushing beyond your limits to be more than you were born (or in this case, made) to be, a lesson that would resonate with many parents and is indeed a lesson which I would want my kids to learn.
“Life doesn’t always go the way you expect it. But you came here to become a firefighter.
If you give up today, think of all the lives you won’t save tomorrow. “
~ Blade Ranger, “Planes: Fire & Rescue”
We watched this movie in 3D and I think that works particularly well here as the audience gets to soar through the air with Dusty and gang on their twists and turns. Noey was particularly excited about the 3D effect and kept reaching out his hands to try to touch the planes flying by. Even Mei managed to keep her glasses on the whole time. We were also wowed by the amazing vistas of Piston Peak National Park. I kept nudging my husband as scenes popped up which looked reminded me strongly Yosemite National Park in California, one of the most beautiful places the husband and I have had a chance to visit. I thought the animation in this respect was incredible! Indeed, Piston Peak National Park is modelled on Yosemite and Yellowstone National Park, giving the scenery a sense of realism.
Check out the trailers for the show here:
We all agreed that it was a fun night out for the whole family.
Planes: Fire & Rescue opens in cinemas today, 4 September 2014. Definitely a treat for the kids this school holiday! for more information, do check out the Walt Disney Studios Facebook Page.
(Click here for some links to Planes: Fire & Rescue activities for the kids to enjoy!)
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