Off To The Movies With Dad – Planes

This weekend, I got to do something very cool. I got to take our 3-year old son to see his first movie theatre, big screen, big popcorn, holy crap this is an awesome movie.

We went to see Planes.

Ever since I showed him the movie trailer a few weeks ago, his life has been all about planes.

Building planes with Lego, reading books about planes and even pretending to be a plane.

The movie was a can’t miss.

The only tiny issue going in that was funny was he kept calling it a movie about cars and monster trucks. I am guessing this had something to do with the trailer starting off with clips and figures from the original Cars movie.

Anyways, we went, it was a blast and it is safe to say our son is hooked on anything on the big screen.

Harrison has technically been to a movie before. He went as a baby when my wife went to a few mom, baby movies. But really, would Harrison remember that? Nope.

He also saw Wreck-it Ralph while we were away at the cottage on a large outdoor screen. But that was sitting on a hard bench with bugs buzzing around your head.

Planes would be the first time he got to sit in his own big chair, have his own popcorn and immerse his mind into the fantasy land of talking planes and adventure.

If you are looking for a review of the movie, well I am not planning on giving one. All I will say is, it was very similar to the story line of Cars and we both found it entertaining.

All weekend Harrison was buzzing. He kept asking if it was Sunday night yet? The countdown could not go fast enough.

We also could not tell if he was more excited about the movie or the popcorn. My wife loves popcorn to the point that it really does not matter what movie is in front of her. Clearly this has been passed on.

We finished dinner, got dressed up (meaning long pants to counter the air conditioning) and headed out to the theatre. Oh, I could not resist getting Harrison to wear his Cars shirt to see Planes. Kind of like anyone going to a basketball game and wearing anything NBA related they own.

As soon as the big building that plays movies was in sight, Harry was giddy. He kept saying, there it is, there is the movie place.

We arrived a little early as I like to do and got tickets and food. Harrison’s eyes were filled with big posters, and bright lights. I mean it is Halifax, so I won’t say it is like being in Vegas, but it was to him.

He was bouncing in the popcorn line to the point that everyone was looking at him and giving that oh that’s cute smile.

Me: Harrison do you want butter on your popcorn?

H: Nope. (waving hands).

At the condiment station.

Me: Harrison, are you sure you don’t want butter?

H: No daddy.

So there you have it, one difference between my wife and my son. They will have to get separate bags when they see a movie.

We hit the bathroom first before the theatre just to make sure we could get through at least the first 25 minutes without a pee break.

Check.

Into the dark room we went.

Again, Harrison’s face said it all. I made a point of watching his face a lot. I want to see all those “first” moments. The big screen blew his mind I think.

Somehow he managed to walk up the steps and still keep his eyes on the screen.

We found a few good seats and settled in.

H: Dad, popcorn please.

He went to town on that bag of corn. I think 10% of it was gone before the previews started.

He looked like he was at home in the big chair. Nobody around him to bother, so he could wave his legs all he wanted.

This is where I pretty much could relax and just let him enjoy. He was happy.

The trailers started and a few looked like future movie trips. Frosty, Lego and an Earth Day Bears movie. All of which Harry leaned over and said he wanted to see.

Finally, it was time for Planes.

Harrison instantly knew what to expect. Cars, boats, planes and anything else with wheels.

You know how the rest goes, we watched a movie and had a great time.

Other Highlights

• You know the term “breaking the seal” when you are drinking? Well it was like that happened at the movies. About 45 minutes in, one kid had to leave to pee. Then pretty much every other kid, saw that and was like, me too. So we had a quick break around the part where Dusty learns the truth about his mentor.
• How is this for the influence of Netflix. Harrison asked if we could pause it while he went out to the bathroom.
• When we came back, we sat closer, this was also amazing to Harrison.
• He at 75% of the popcorn and drank 85% of the apple juice. He was in heaven.
• During a part where there was a hint of romance, he made a ooooohhh sound when the female plane from Canada was talking. That told me he was into the movie and understood what was going on.
• When it was over, he was kind of bummed at first but then wanted to get out of there to go home and build a Ripslinger.
• Oh, the evil and cheating Ripslinger was his favourite. Yep, the bad boys are still the cool ones.

Harrison sat through the whole movie without any issues, complaints or moments of misbehaviour. It was great to see that even at three, he is mature enough to be out for a night and enjoy it.

For me? I had a blast just watching it all happen. I could have just watch him watching the movie and my ticket price would have been worth it. It was a bonus that I also liked the movie. I personally find planes more interesting than cars in the real world, so it was great.

The only disagreement we had during the whole night was over what the name of the boat was the carried the jets. I said an aircraft carrier and Harrison said a large freighter that carried planes.

Who can argue with that really?

Planes was a great dad-son night out. I highly recommend the experience.