Planes (2013) (Pixar AU)

What if Pixar Animation Studios had released Planes instead of DisneyToon Studios?

Here's what the film could have looked like:

The film takes place in the same universe as Cars. Dusty, an unassuming agricultural plane, dreams of competing against the best aerial vehicles in an air race around the world. However, his participation in the largest competition in history is in doubt because Dusty suffers from a fear of heights. Dusty's mentor, Skipper, and his friends try to help the plane fulfill its dreams.

So the plot is the same, BUT adjusted to make it a Pixar film:

1. DisneyToon focused on the classic "zero to hero" story. Pixar would likely have gone for existential angst:

- Dusty's motivation: Instead of a simple dream of racing, the film could have explored the theme of destiny. Dusty, as an agricultural plane, was built for a specific purpose. Pixar would have asked the question: "Can a machine defy its nature and design?"

- Skipper's Trauma: The Pixar version of the war veteran's story would have been much darker and more poignant (similar to Doc Hudson's story in Cars), focusing on loss and redemption.

2. DisneyToon did a decent job, but Pixar always pushes the boundaries of technology:

- Flight Physics: Instead of "cardboard" flying, we would have seen incredible aerodynamic effects – turbulence, condensation on wings, and realistic lighting at various altitudes (from golden hour to thunderstorms).

- World Scale: Pixar would have placed greater emphasis on how the world looks from miles above the ground, creating breathtaking landscapes that would tell a story in themselves.

3. In the original film, the international characters (like El Chupacabra and Ishani) were rather stereotypical:

- Pixar is known for its research. These characters would have deeper cultural backgrounds and unique personalities, avoiding simple clichés.

The relationships between them would not only serve comedy, but also build tension and authentic bonds.

Then the film wouldn't be treated as a toy-based "cash grab," but as a fully-fledged work of art. Instead of a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "Planes" would likely hover around 80-90%, becoming a family classic on par with Ratatouille or Cars.

The film would be released in 2013, produced locally by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.