3 reasons all kids must see Disney’s Planes

Our Owen was a Cars fan from the time he could crawl.

He toddled around with McQueen and Mater in his chubby little hands, and when he turned three, he yelled loud and clear, Speed. I am SPEED! as he zoomed around on his brand-new McQueen bike.

We read Cars books, played Cars games, watched the Cars movie, he rocked Cars bedspread, and he wore Cars shirts.

When Cars 2 was released, we raced into the theaters, and though the story was a bit above my kids’ heads, they loved it anyway.

So when I was given the opportunity to catch a preview of Disney’s Planes–a new 3D film from the creators of Cars— you better believe we jumped at the chance. And really?

I think it’s a movie that all kids should see.  Bold, right?

I hope it becomes for other little guys what Cars was for my Owen. Because the movie rocked.

Here’s the skinny. . .

• Three Reasons All Kids Must See Disney’s Planes:  Essentially, Planes follows a little crop duster  named Dusty who has really huge dreams of doing more than he’s made for.  Dusty wants to compete in an around-the-world air race, and in order to make it, he needs to work super-hard and overcome some pretty big fears.

Why should all kids see this film? Three reasons:

1.  The main character is awesome. Where Lightening McQueen was a little too confident and sassy for my taste, Planes’ star, Dusty is humble, big-hearted, and kind.  All the while, though, he’s brave and willing to work hard.

From the start, viewers can clearly tell that Dusty is a nice guy. He’s kind. He’s helpful. And when he races with the big dogs, he doesn’t think twice about lending a hand to a competitor in need.

I like that.

Dusty thinks big (of course a tiny crop duster can win an around-the-world race, silly!), and in doing so, he faces one of his biggest fears: heights.   I think more kids need to see a good guy working hard to accomplish a dream. Makes me want to dance.

 

2.  There’s tons of friendship, kindness, and looooove. And I mean it. And kids need to see more of it as often as possible, if you ask me.

Dusty and Chug are buddies who support each other from beginning to end. Dottie’s smarts and fix-it abilities support everyone.  Roper helps Skipper with just about everything.  Skipper helps Dusty with training and to become a better racer.  Everyone comes to Mexico to support Dusty in the final leg of the race.

When Dusty falls, every other competitor finds some special way of helping him to rebuild and get back on his feet.

And one of the more comical parts involves El Chupacabra trying to win the heart of beautiful and sweet Canadian Rochelle.   Sure, there’s some taunting from Ripslinger toward Dusty, and Ned and Zed are the two troublesome sidekicks, but it didn’t take over the movie.

In the end, happiness and friendship prevail.  Woo-hoo!

 

 

3.  The story is simple–but big.  Great, basic story: little guy wants to do big things. Simple as that.

And sure, there are a few bumps along the way, but essentially, kids will get the gist. They’ll be able to follow the story and will be able to recall some basic beginning, middle, and end elements.

Though they may miss some small details, it’s okay–they’ll understand the story.  And hopefully, because of its simplicity, they’ll be able to be like Dusty more often than not when it comes to helping siblings, friends, and family, or when they face a challenge.

The 3D? Very easy for kids. Nothing totally in your face and frightening. We discussed afterward that the 3D was actually nice–easy on the eyes and not as intense as other 3D films the kids and I have seen.

Should you talk about some of the gender and ethnic stereotypes with your kids? Yes! It’s all worth talking about and using as teachable moments. I truly believe it.

 

Really? I am a happy-movie kinda gal, so Planes was right up my alley.  The minimal scary scenes make it seem like there’s very little need to cover eyes in the theater or fast-forward once it comes to video.  Only once when Dusty faces a stormy sea and sinks to the bottom, it’s a little tense, but he’s rescued quickly. Phew.

Love, love, love that Disney has provided a handful of awesome Planes resources for kids to bring the Planes love on home.

Do check out:

• Planes race to the finish printables
• Jet Stream Racer game
• Planes Adventure Album (free in iTunes)
• Planes character photos

Quick Planes trailer:

It was a super-fun, totally cool new-f0r-us activity this week.   A great way to begin August!

Out today in the theaters–make it a Planes weekend for you, too, and let me know what you think!

 

fyi: Promo photos courtesy of Walt Disney Social Media. This is an unsponsored post. My family and I attended an advance screening of Planes as a part of Disney press reviewers.  As always, my opinion is my own, influenced only by my three little movie-goers and longtime Disney fan family.