The story follows a small-town crop dusting plane named Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dane Cook), who dreams of becoming a racer. Despite his fear of heights and a lack of speed, Dusty trains hard and qualifies for the Wings Around the Globe rally. The rally is a prestigious race that takes planes around the world.
During the competition, Dusty befriends various aircraft, including a Mexican plane named El Chupacabra (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui) and a tough navy jet named Ripslinger (voiced by Roger Craig Smith), who becomes Dusty’s main rival. Dusty faces numerous challenges, both physical and emotional, as he competes in the race.
In the climax, Dusty confronts Ripslinger in a high-stakes race through the Himalayas. The resolution involves Dusty’s determination, self-discovery, and the impact of his journey on the other planes he meets during the race.
“Planes” received mixed reviews from critics who praised its animation but criticized its formulaic plot and similarities to the “Cars” franchise. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film found success with its target audience, particularly among younger viewers. It led to the release of a sequel, “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” in 2014.