David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo, Daniela Ruah, Bryan Cranston,
with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard
Executive Producer George Lucas
Story by John Ridley
Screenplay by John Ridley and Aaron MacGruder
Directed by Anthony Hemingway
First off, in writing this review, I feel that I need to state where I stand on George Lucas, because for many dedicated film fans, your opinion of the original Jedi Master is likely to impact the attitude you have going into the movie, and continue as you watch it.
Like most fans, I have been disappointed by Lucas on more than one occasion (for me, it started with the Star Wars Special Editions.). The name that was once synonymous with movie magic has definitely lost some it's luster. But unlike many, I can't bring myself to hate George. I still think he has an undeniable visual flair and enthusiasm that he brings to each project, and while he has made some very bad decisions, unlike many fans, I believe those decisions were his to make. So while I am puzzled by the people who look surprised and say “You thought Jar Jar was annoying? Really?” I also do not agree with the crowd that has declared Lucas to be the cinematic anti-Christ and think he has ruined their childhood.
Red Tails is the last of the big, long in development Lucas projects – for those of us who read his biography, Skywalking, as kids aspiring to make movies, we have been waiting for his take on the story of The Tuskegee Airmen for a very long time. The question is, was it worth the wait?
The story beings in Italy, where black pilots who trained in Tuskegee, Tennessee are given old, banged up P-40's, and kept to light duty – the closest these guys get to any action is blowing up a few trucks or trains, not dog fighting or any of the combat missions they expected. The group is made up of the stock characters from this kind of move: Joe “Lightning” Little (David Oyelowo, last scene as the villain in Rise of the Planet of the Apes) is Maverick from Top Gun, the cocky but brilliant young aviator with a chip on his shoulder who needs to let it go and realize his full potential so he can be the best damn pilot the military has ever seen yadda yadda yadda. His best friend and squad leader, Marty “Easy” Julian, is an overachiever pushed by a overly demanding father, and he has been driven to drink at a young age to deal with his self doubt. The young guy, Ray “Junior” Gannon (Tristan Wilds), is Radar O'Reilly from M*A*S*H, except he carries a Buck Rodgers pistol instead of a Teddy Bear. And then we have the token religious guy, who carries a picture of “Black Jesus”which he speaks to frequently, and everyone else is meant to be comic relief.
Just when these guys are about to resign themselves to the fact that they are reduced to “mop up” missions, and that they may soon lose that if some of the top brass has its way, “The Old Man,” Colonel A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) stands up to the man and gets his flyers assigned to their first real mission, which they pull off spectacularly. Soon, they are assigned to bomber escort, where the Red Tails distinguish themselves by following orders and, unlike previous squadrons, stay with their bombers and don't fall for the distraction of chasing German fighters to go for the glory and rack up notches on their kill ratio. It's not long before the Red Tails are the talk of the Air Corps, and because of what they did, and the respect these men earned, there would never again be any discrimination in the United States Armed Forces, or America in general, and not only would we one day have a black President, but there is certainly no way anyone would ever be so ignorant and unenlightened as to publicly demand to see his birth certificate.
Seeing these men overcome racism and earn respect is obviously enjoyable, but it is glossed over quickly and plays as something that comes far too easily. The movie is filled with cheesy dialogue that is so straightforward and on the nose that at times it's almost embarrassing. In addition, the romantic subplot between Lightning and a local Italian girl (Daniela Ruah), is about as compelling and convincing as a Nicolas Cage marriage. It's a shame that with so many compelling stories to be told, especially a great subplot involving one of the men getting captured and placed in a P.O.W. Camp, that this intrusive and tacked on romance gets in the way of what is otherwise a briskly paced film that is entertaining enough to overcome it's shortcomings (and there are many, not the least of which is the musical score, which can't decide if it is going for Captain America, Top Gun or Shaft.).
Despite it's flaws, this movie actually does have a lot going for it. It's packed with action, and the aerial combat sequences are truly dazzling. The computer generated visual effects here are far more convincing than most of what we saw in the Star Wars prequels or Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (which, for the record, I still like), and actually may represent some of the the most impressive seen in a Lucas film since the original Star Wars trilogy – these don't look like cartoons, they look like real airplanes, doing real stunts (even if some of them are aerodynamically impossible.). Also, while the characterizations are weak, much of the cast does an admirable job of trying to rise above the dialogue. Oyelowo in particular has a star charisma that leads me to believe he has a real future, and Terrence Howard is still one of the most engaging actors working today. Every time he is on screen he brings such an intensity and earnestness that it lifts up the quality of the film several notches. Fairing worst are Cuba Gooding, Jr, who seems to have been told “You can have a character or a pipe – not both. You choose” and the incredibly talented Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad), who is so silly as a a racist General that the best that ban be said is that his mustache is not quite long enough to twirl.).
Red Tails is not to be confused with Saving Private Ryan - it's more comparable to Memphis Belle. It's an entertaining thrill ride, and judging by the reactions at the two screenings I attended, a real crowd pleaser. This is a movie you can really pick apart, but the fact is, it plays, and it's a rousing and enjoyable time. Yes, there is a much deeper, realistic and meaningful film to be made out of this material. But at this point, if you were really expecting that from Lucas, you are deluding yourself. This is not even close to a great film. But it's a solid piece of entertainment, and I'm sure I'll own it on Blu-ray.
Red Tails is rated PG-13 for combat violence, profanity, and a few racial slurs.
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