Appreciated by wee’uns but widely disliked by adults with reviews to write, **Planes **seemed like a rare creative misfire for Lasseter-era Disney. But there were enough tinies in the former camp - $220m worth – to warrant a trilogy, and sure enough, part two, Planes 2: Fire & Rescue arrives this summer. If it’s anything like as easy on the eye as these new concept posters, that critical animus might just soften.
The story this time has a crew of firefighting aircraft defending Piston Peak National Park from the ravages of bush fire. Signing up on scorch prevention duty is Dusty (Dane Cook), hero of Planes, who is resigned to his retirement from racing with a dicky engine and looking for a new outlet for his talents.
Also on deck are wizened fire-and-rescue chopper Blade Ranger (Ed Harris), tanker Dipper (Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter (Wes Studi), ex-military transport (Dale Dye) and some multi-terrain vehicles called The Smokejumpers. In an ideal world, Aliens’ UD-4L Cheyenne Dropship would turn up too, but we can’t guarantee it.
Directed by Mouse House veteran Bobs Gannaway, **Planes 2: Fire & Rescue **will be in UK cinemas on August 8.