Planes never really takes flight

Director: Klay Hall

Voices: Dane Cook, Teri Hatcher, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra, John Cleese

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An animated Disney adventure about a plucky little crop-dusting plane who dreams of becoming a round-the-world racing champion, Planes was originally intended to go straight to DVD, a reflection of its mediocre script and groaningly predictable plot. Though heavily marketed as a spin-off from the Cars franchise, Pixar was not involved in this disappointingly bland production. Instead, Disney collaborated with India's Prana Animation Studios, which helps explain the Taj Mahal scene and the casting of Priyanka Chopra as one of the voices. Alas, it did not prevent the filmmakers from resorting to crude racial stereotypes and boorish cultural tourism. Impressive aerial action sequences and a handful of smart jokes, including some witty Top Gun references, provide the film's few feeble pleasures.