Robert Sims Lights Camera Austin Jan 22, 2022

This slight but entertaining sequel benefits by tearing up the blueprint director John Lasseter used for both his Pixar racecar operas to become the animated disaster movie that Towering Inferno producer Irvin Allen never made.

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Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Feb 1, 2021 2/5

The conquering adversity messaging is worthy enough, but the direct-to-DVD story never takes flight.

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Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 20, 2020 3.0/4.0

Amps up both the sincerity and the respect quite a bit and makes you feel like you're smack dab in the midst of its numerous action sequences.

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Christie Cronan Raising Whasians Feb 5, 2020

[T]he total packaged story is warm, heartfelt, and heroic.

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Julian Lytle Punch Drunk Critics Jan 11, 2020 2.5/5

It would be nice if Planes could feel a bit like it had some more of the Disney magic and not just an extended excuse to sell more little toys and Legos.

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Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Dec 14, 2019

Action-packed, fun-filled flight filled with adventure for the whole family.

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Josh Terry Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Nov 28, 2017 2.5/4

Actually, the humor is one of the strangest elements of Fire & Rescue, mainly in that it feels largely absent.

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Reagan Gavin Rasquinha The Times of India Nov 14, 2017 2.5/5

While the script is full of obvious and easy aircraft metaphors which are funny, it lacks the kind of witticisms and wisecracks that elevate other contemporary animated films so that they can be enjoyed by a much wider audience.

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Jim Schembri 3AW Sep 26, 2014 3.5/5

Not only are the cliches more deftly packaged this time around, the action scenes - with long, exciting tracking shots of planes flying through valleys and over wild fires - often look like they were directed by James Cameron.

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Paul M. Bradshaw Total Film Aug 10, 2014 3/5

Somehow, this sequel to a rubbish spin-off to a rubbish sequel to a so-so cartoon is actually pretty good.

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Jonathan Romney Observer (UK) Aug 10, 2014 2/5

Like Cars, this is essentially funny-animal animation with chrome and aluminium instead of fur.

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Geoffrey Macnab Independent (UK) Aug 8, 2014 2/5

This Disney cartoon is running on empty.

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Donald Clarke Irish Times Aug 8, 2014 2/5

It's as if the Mouse House is providing bootlegs of its own material.

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Rich Cline Contactmusic.com Aug 8, 2014 3/5

Despite the fact that this too-soon spin-off feels like a mere cash-in on the Disney Cars/Planes marketing machine, this sequel is actually a lot more fun than expected.

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Alan Jones Radio Times Aug 8, 2014 3/5

If it does become faintly dull and preachy, the trim humour and detailing - the CHiPs spoof CHoPs, Motorjito cocktails, the pickup truck with superb pickup lines - soon get it squarely back on the fun runway.

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Simon Reynolds Digital Spy Aug 8, 2014 3/5

Perhaps these rock-bottom expectations are a good thing, because Planes 2 feels like a significant upgrade on its distinctly run-of-the-mill predecessor...

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Olly Richards Empire Magazine Aug 7, 2014 2/5

A solid voice cast (Harris, Holbrook et al) doesn't add much more than cosmetic touches to this bland animation.

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Allan Hunter Daily Express (UK) Aug 7, 2014 2/5

The slender plot is very ordinary and the corny gags come thick and fast.

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Rich Phippen Sky Cinema Aug 7, 2014

The kids will be satisfied with a thin slice of Pixar topped with Disney frosting, but there's nothing satisfying for the rest of us to chew on.

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Robbie Collin Daily Telegraph (UK) Aug 7, 2014 1/5

The target audience of under-10s has every right to feel patronised.

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