With Pixar reluctant to simply rush out new entries in the Cars franchise after Cars 2 received a grubbing from critics (a third film is announced, but the release date is still undecided), Disney decided they'd simply make their own take to keep the merchandising cash cow going. That's the only reason Planes exists and it's also why it eventually ended up in cinemas. Originally set to go direct-to-DVD, when it became apparent just how much could be made it was promoted to become one of the studio's big summer theatrical releases; the more high-profile your film, the more kids want your toys. What's shocking in this case is how late in the day the switch came; long advertised as a DVD cheapie akin to all those sequels to the company's traditional animations, we only learnt at the start of the year of release we'd have to suffer through it in cinemas. The sequel, Planes: Fire And Rescue, which began life shortly after Planes, was likewise bumped up to theatrical release instead of going straight into homes. Wouldn't want to look like a lazy cash-in now would they.
