Trailer Link

Release Date:

July 18, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.”

Poster: B / B / B-

Review: (#1) I don’t particularly care for the “rivet”ing border, but this poster design makes the film look far more exciting than it likely is. The only problem is that the design makes this film look like an old war film and not a movie about planes putting out forest fires.

(#2-#3) Two new and mostly similar designs. The intention is certainly to suggest high flying, firefighting adventure, but they just aren’t as exciting as they hope.

Trailer: C / C- / C / C+

Review: (#1 & #2) Surprisingly, both trailers, even though I rated them differently, are tending to blur together in my head. The second one starts out more promising, but lays on the cheesy humor far too thick, making it feel less accomplished, or perhaps more indicative.

(#3 & #4) Here we are with two more trailers that have changed very little or expanded in less than exciting ways. While each is trying to evoke a clear sense of the pictures merits, they vary in their ability to do so. The fourth trailer is probably the best so far, though the use of Elvis Presley and AC/DC aren’t really the kinds of sales tools one would expect from Disney.

Oscar Prospects:

None.

Revisions:

(March 23, 2014) Original
(July 13, 2014) New Trailers (#3 & #4) / New Posters (#2 & #3)

Additional Posters