‘Planes’ Trailer: Disney’s ‘Cars’ Spinoff Lands Online

Disney might as well call this 'Flying Cars', so identical does 'Planes' look to the 'Cars' movies. The 'Planes' trailer has just landed, and boy, does it ever look like parents will have to take one for the team with this offering. Pixar this is not. Check it out after the break.

Though the two 'Cars' films were of course produced by Pixar, 'Planes' is a product of DisneyToon Studios, which is responsible for most of the company's adolescent-friendly direct-to-DVD output like 'Bambi II' and 'Cinderella III: A Twist in Time'. And while 'Planes' won't be DisneyToon Studios' first theatrical release, it may very well be their highest profile. (It helps that Disney and Pixar chief John Lasseter is an executive producer.)

Based on the trailer below, the toon has rather transparently taken most of the elements from 'Cars' and 'Cars 2' and simply transported them to the air. 'Planes' doesn't look to feature any of the savviness of a Pixar film, but there's certainly a good chance it'll entertain the little ones (who it's clearly targeting).

'Planes' opens on August 9th. Here's the expanded synopsis:

From high above the world of “Cars,” flies “Planes,” Disney’s upcoming animated action-packed comedic adventure starring Dusty, a big-hearted, fast-flying crop duster who dreams of competing in the most exhilarating around-the-world air race in history. There’s only a couple of not-so-small problems – Dusty is not exactly built for racing and he also happens to be afraid of heights.

 

Despite his fear and with encouragement from his mentor, a naval aviator named Skipper, Dusty narrowly qualifies for the big competition. Dusty’s sportsmanship and speed begin to rattle the defending champ of the race circuit, Ripslinger, who will stop at nothing to see Dusty fail.

When disaster strikes during the climax of the final race, Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test. With the support of friends old and new, Dusty reaches heights he never dreamed possible and in the process, gives a spellbound world the inspiration to soar.

UPDATE: Disney pulled this footage and revealed that it played last year at the D23 Expo. While we wait for the official trailer to hit, here's the first one: