Hollywood Blvd. was transformed into Piston Peak National Park for the world premiere of Disney’s newest film, Planes: Fire and Rescue. Bustling guests gathered outside of the El Capitan for the celebration! Tasty foods, fun activities and heroic firefighters (who brought along an awesome firefighter dog) excited us “happy campers” who were also treated to three fire fighter helicopters that flew over the event!
Grampy was with us in spirit.
Firefighters hold a special spot in my heart. My father-in-law, who was a firefighter for over 30 years in Massachusetts, passed away earlier this year. My husband proudly told me suspenseful stories of his father running into burning buildings to save lives or attending the firefighters musters and even riding on the ladder truck through parades. My daughter spoke very highly of her Grampy at the event as she mentioned that he was a firefighter to the firemen in attendance. Another special moment was learning that the truck featured at the event was Rescue 5, one of the two trucks that are touring the country memorializing 9/11. Rescue 5 was crushed by a beam in NYC that day and was stuck under debris for a month until it was saved. Thank you to the The Rememberance Rescue Project for educating and memorializing 9/11 and remembering the fallen fighter fighters.
Rescue 5
After taking in all of the pre-show festivities, it was now time to see Planes: Fire and Rescue! The film started off with a dedication to firefighters and emergency personal who fight fires in rural areas. We then see Dusty Crophopper, who is now famous, but discovers that he can longer race due to a broken out-of-stock engine part. He’s shattered by the news and rejects his friend Dottie’s warning. He flies off out of frustration only to overheat, then cause a fiery crash in Propwash Junction Airport. Inspectors arrive to shut down the airport when they reveal that the town isn’t properly equipped for an emergency. Dusty comes to terms with the end of his racing days and decides to train as an aerial firefighter to save his town.
The film is produced by Disneytoons and I have to say that the first Planes film wasn’t as stunning as the Disney/Pixar releases. I wasn’t impressed with the writing or the voice talent however, Planes: Fire and Rescue is different. The storyline is uplifting, has a positive message and is really funny! I enjoyed Dane Cooke’s role (the second time around) and truly enjoyed the additional characters who were dynamic and moving.
Planes: Fire and Rescue is a delightful adventure that showcases what firefighters on the ground and in the air can do. The visual textures were rich, the graphics were impressive and the humor reached adults and their children. We have a winner here!
After the movie, we hung out on the red carpet and bumped in a few familiar faces.
Top to botton: Jeffrey M. Howard (Writer), Wes Studi (Windlifter), Erik Estrada (Nick ‘Loop’n’ Lopez), Thomas Contreras (Angeles National Forest Supervisor), John Lasseter (CCO Disney/Pixar), Dane Cooke (Dusty Crophopper)
Disney’s Planes: Fire and Rescue is in the theaters and is rated PG for some action and peril.
* We were invited to attend the world premiere of Planes: Fire and Rescue. Our opinions are our own and are not influenced by our attendance.
