Flyboys
Screenplay written by: Phil Sears, Blake T. Evan, Sand David S.
Ward
Actors: Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, James Franco, David Ellison,
Tyler Labine, Martin Henderson, Jennifer Decker, Philip
Winchester
Directed by: Tony Bill (also,
”
Must Love Dogs
”
and numerous T.V. episodes)
Rated: PG13 (War action violence and some sexual content)
Flyboys
Screenplay written by: Phil Sears, Blake T. Evan, Sand David S. Ward
Actors: Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, James Franco, David Ellison, Tyler Labine, Martin Henderson, Jennifer Decker, Philip Winchester
Directed by: Tony Bill (also, “Must Love Dogs” and numerous T.V. episodes)
Rated: PG13 (War action violence and some sexual content)
During World War I, the depleted European Allied forces of France, Italy, and England looked at any strategy to stop the formidable German war machine from taking over their countries. Introducing the young ten-year-old airplane technology into the war arsenal was the allure for a group of American soldiers (James Franco, Tyler Labine, Philip Winchester, and David Ellison) to volunteer to join France’s Layfayette Escadrille air force. Instructed by a stern French career military man (Jean Reno), it was his personal triumph for his men to achieve exceptional skills of flying and excel in combat. Relieving a battle-weary American pilot by the name of Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson), the sole survivor of his squadron, this man and his new fellow pilots shored up the French citizen’s (Jennifer Decker) dwindling hopes of winning the war against the Germans that were ravaging their homes and countryside.
He Said:
The script moved the characters from life in America to France faster than a Concorde, but I came to see amazing airplane maneuvers anyway. With the bare necessities in the art of flying and no combat experience, the naïve Americans quickly learn there is no glory war. You are treated to spectacular aerial and combat special effects. You have got to like it. I was particularly admiring of the computer-generated images (CGI) that were so true to a plane’s heaving dips and dives that my feet tingled more than once. Add the acting component that was often convincing to the point of feeling their angst, fear, and dedication to their missions, and you get a very satisfying action packed film experience. “Flyboys” is epic in well-shot scenes of grand landscapes and lots of action. You will like the ride.
On the R&R Scale (1-10):
7 for Script: Mostly exciting action, but slow at times
8 for Direction: Cinematography was particularly good.
7 for Acting: Jean Reno and Martin Henderson carried the rest.
6 for Plot: Characters a little thin, nothing unexpected.
7 for Entertainment Value: For a vintage WWI epic.
7.0 Overall
She Said:
I do not know which “Flyboys” Bob saw but the one I viewed hit me differently. While the aerial acrobatics of the WWI planes will no doubt pump the same adrenaline that keeps people glued to video games of combat, I was more entertained by the aerial maneuvers than by the screenplay or characters. It also seemed that the “Flyboys” vintage moral contrast to today’s notion of war was meant to resonate. This beautifully filmed WWI depiction of fighting a war was so gentile at times that it seemed ludicrous to me. Enemy combat pilots saluting each other in the midst of a lethal mid-air dogfight out of respect for their foe’s skills is hard to grasp for me. Speaking of romantic notions, with a script highlighting fights to the death in the sky, the plot element of the compassionate love interest seemed contrived to me. Putting the well-acted bravery aside and the good CGI, this “epic” movie was just too long for me to be rated higher than just above average.
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
5 for Script: No particular words resonated.
7 for Direction: Good aerial cinematography/computer generated effects integration.
6 for Acting: Jean Reno always good and others OK considering the lack of dimension in the characters.
5 for Plot: Heralded war, shooting, combat, and honor in them.
5 for Entertainment Value.
5.6 Overall
