Second Chances Abound in Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue
How many times have you been given a second chance? The opportunity to do something different? Better? Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue is a movie about second chances. Sure, the kids are going to enjoy the characters and high-flying action, but there is something there for parents too.
Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue
For starters, you simply cannot ignore the incredible honor Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue and gives to the firefighters out there risking their lives on a daily basis. As I talked about in previous posts, Disney puts an amazing amount of time and effort into research. John Lasseter always requires that they have “truth in materials” and this heroic movie is no different. Not only did the team spend time with CAL-Fire, but they also reached out to Grass Valley and LA County Fire, as well as helicopter pilot Chuck Aaron. Planes: Fire and Rescue captures all that they learned and displays it wonderfully in this 83 minute animated movie.
There was one quote that stood out to me the most both times I have watched the film. Blade Ranger (Ed Harris) is talking to Dusty Crophopper (Dane Cook) and telling him just how it is. He tells him, “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. So what are you going to do?” But the quote goes much further than being a firefighter if you relay it to your own life… well, unless you are a first responder. And then, hat’s off to you! You rock!
Back to the movie, you see the recurring theme of second chances throughout. Starting with Dusty looking for his purpose and ending up training to become a firefighter. The planes and other equipment at the base are mostly repurposed and recycled. Blade himself has a past that has brought him to be the leader of the team of aerial firefighters. We are reminded as we watch that we have the opportunity to try again. To do our best. A great lesson for children and adults both to take home.
The all-star cast makes each character unique and brings the movie to life. Dipper (voiced by Julie Bowen) is perhaps our favorite comedic-relief in the movie with her witty style and outlandish personality. Direct and on-point when the situation arises, but playful and energetic when time allows.
Knowing the art team took two years to simply get the fire how they wanted it in the movie, the graphics are incredible. Art Hernandez and his team are fabulously talented. The girls enjoyed the scenery, colors, and real-life drama played out on the screen. I am always amazed at how well an inanimate object, such as a plane, can come to life with a simple line drawn. Perhaps the best way to explain the action and emotions is with the movie’s tagline:
“When others fly out, heroes fly in.”
See for yourself as Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue is now in theaters everywhere!
Planes: Fire and Rescue Products
If your kids are like mine, they are going to want to bring the action home. Fortunately, Disney has made that possible in many ways. Planes: Fire and Rescue products come in many forms:
- Die-cast toys
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Bikes
- Play Sets
- Books
- Meal accessories
- School Supplies
Chances are, if your kids want to take Dusty and his friends along, they can find a way to do it. I personally have the Windlifter Deluxe Die Cast Helicopter atop my desk. Not even kidding! The die-cast planes are my favorite. I may have a few others in the collection as well. No one said they were only for the kids!