This 3-D computer-animated comedy-adventure film is a sequel to the 2013 film “Planes,” a spin-off* of Pixar’s “Cars” franchise.

    Set in the United States quite some time ago, this is a story of second-chancers, older planes and other machines that, having outlived their original* usefulness*, are put to work as firefighters in Piston Peak National Park, which appears to be a glorious combination* of the most scenic parts of the wild West.

    Dusty Crophopper is a vintage*, brave, single-engine prop* plane that has won air races that involved flying around pylons* until his gearbox* came apart in a warm-up for the year’s big event at the Corn Fest.

    Told that he’ll have to keep his torque* way down from now on — which is like telling Steve McQueen to drive his Mustang* at no more than 40 km per hour — Dusty is sent to the sleepy headquarters of the Piston Peak Air Attack team.

    The team includes wise, serious leader Blade Ranger, lively female air tanker Lil’ Dipper, heavy-load* chopper Windlifter and friendly vintage fire truck Mayday, who does more than anyone to convince* Dusty to love his new job.

    If not for the vivid* scenic backdrops and realistic fire effects, this is a film that, with its “You can do it, boy!” theme, could have been made in the 1950s.

    Inevitably*, a terrible wildfire breaks out that puts an old lodge* full of tourists in danger, and the closest thing to a bad guy in this story is a hotel manager, visually represented by a luxury SUV, who tries to convince the automotive guests that there’s nothing to worry about. To help save the day*, Dusty has to push his torque way past safe limit, but there can be no doubt about how it turns out.

    Similar to the visual approach in the “Cars” features, the planes look like humans with eyes on their windscreens and mouths in vent space beneath the propellers. The vocal performances are good.(SD-Agencies)