Screen Rant’s Ben Kendrick reviews Red Tails
Considering the number of times that George Lucas has produced an Indiana Jones or Star Wars film over the past 35 years, it might come as a surprise when some moviegoers discover that his production company, Lucasfilm, actually makes movies that don’t include Henry Jones, Jr. or a member of the Skywalker family. Even more surprising might be the fact that Lucasfilm’s latest project, Red Tails - a big budget chronicle of the Tuskegee Airmen – has actually been in the works for nearly 25 years.
So, after a quarter of a century, has Lucas (and freshman feature-film director Anthony Hemingway) put together a solid movie that entertains while also honoring the struggles and sacrifices of the African American World War II fighter pilot squad?
Lucasfilm has a widely varied track record: the Star Wars prequels and Indiana Jones 4 all performed well at the box office but aren’t (by many people) considered particularly good movies, while earlier films will forever be considered classics and fan-favorites. Working without a pre-established franchise brand, Red Tails is the first movie from Lucasfilm in almost 18 years that has to actually rely on superior filmmaking to get people in the seats. Unfortunately, while Industrial Light & Magic’s trademark visual spectacle delivers some breathtaking aerial fight sequences, pretty much everything in between is a mishmash of missed opportunities, stilted acting, and underwhelming character moments.
Lucasfilm met with surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen and reviewed official documents and logbooks in order to get the Red Tails story as close to actual events as possible – so when moviegoers see the enormous aerial battles onscreen, there should be a weight to the action that’s absent in more fictional fare (such as Top Gun). However, the film falters on so many different technical aspects that, while the “true events” story demands weight, Red Tails fails to fully rise to the occasion.
An example: in the opening scene where German fighter planes decimate an American bomber squad, the combination of especially cliche’ dialogue and near-laughable voice-over work cripples any emotional impact the scene was intended to present. Where campy mid-battle chatter helped endear moviegoers to the Star Wars universe back in the 1970′s, the same approach is shockingly disjointed in a modern film that looks upon true-life WWII death and destruction.
The Tuskegee Airmen in 'Red Tails'
It’s an especially disappointing experience, given the rich source material. The story is provided with the fundamental building blocks necessary for an enjoyable ride that also offers profound character moments – it just never does anything particularly interesting with them. At the outset, the Tuskegee Airmen are relegated to flying patrols far from the action (limited to hunting for wayward Nazi land vehicles) – until their program is about to be shut down by closed-minded higher-ups who still believe Negro pilots are inferior to whites. In a last ditch effort to prove that his squad can deliver just as many aerial kills as those by white servicemen, Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) accepts a risky escort mission that sets the stage for the Tuskegee Airmen legacy.
Martin “Easy” Julian (Nate Parker) leads the first all African-American fighter squad into active combat, along with his hot-headed best friend, Joe “Lightning” Little (David Oyelowo). The pair are given their own story arcs (Lighting falls in love with an Italian woman and Easy struggles with a drinking problem), but (as the film is presented) neither of these sub-plots have any real impact on the primary storyline, and, individually, conclude in overly-melodramtic moments without real catharsis. As a result, despite enjoyable performances from a few of the lead actors, anything outside of the main plot comes across as manipulative filler that attempts to invest audiences in the airmen “characters” without actually delivering compelling drama.
The same approach is applied to the film’s Nazi villains – who are depicted as merciless and cartoony caricatures. Understandably, it’s easy to make Nazis look evil on film, but presenting them as interesting or complicated is significantly more difficult. Red Tails fails to make anything more than bloodthirsty dogs out of its villains – especially the film’s main antagonist, “Pretty Boy” (Lars van Riesen), who does little but provide angry squints and shout ridiculous platitudes into his flight mask.
In general, Red Tails is filled with bizarre decisions that lead back to director Anthony Hemingway (and possibly George Lucas, himself – who directed a few reshoots). A number of scenes are abandoned before they are fully baked, and the audience rarely sees a character’s reaction to a particularly difficult situation. On the flip side, several scenes (in a movie that’s already over-long at 121 minutes) are entirely out of place, and serve only to set up events that don’t offer much payoff down the line.
A WWII aerial battle in 'Red Tails'
There are also some especially confounding technical choices – such as when (and when not) to use subtitles, as well as the lack of geographical timestamps (i.e. “Berlin, 1944″). Appropriately, racial stereotypes and overturning racial tensions are major themes in Red Tails; however, the subject matter is handled with a shocking lack of sophistication and subtlety that, instead of becoming a major touchstone for the storyline, comes across as little more than another underwhelming side plot.
That said, following in the Star Wars space battle pedigree, Red Tails offers some great aerial fight sequences – and makes it hard – in spite of all of the film’s story and editing problems – to not enjoy the action. In the air, the characters and principle actors come alive a bit more – delivering a number of entertaining moments as they work together and outmaneuver German threats. Unfortunately, fly-time is far shorter than the amount of the film that’s spent on the ground - so moviegoers aren’t going to simply be able to brush Red Tails off as a fun CGI popcorn flick.
Red Tails could get shot down as one of the biggest disappointments of 2012. With such an inspiring source story, a roster of talented actors, and one of the most profitable production companies backing the film, it’s genuinely hard to imagine where it all went wrong. While servicemen and families who have a connection to the Tuskegee air fighters will likely connect with the film, what ultimately comes across onscreen is a group of passionate actors that were let down by a flat mishmash of strange story and directorial choices.
While it might not enjoy the same blockbuster CGI dogfights as Red Tails, for anyone interested in this particular WWII story, it’s much easier to recommend the HBO original film, The Tuskegee Airmen; that film’s ability to balance heavy thematic material and entertaining moments makes it a far superior retelling of the famous Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Group.
If you’re still on the fence about Red Tails, check out the trailer below:
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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick - and let us know what you thought of the film below:
Red Tails is now in theaters.
Our Rating:
2 out of 5
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I felt the movie was good. I learned a long time ago not to listen to “critics” when it comes to bllack films. For example i remember Baby Boy was graded an “F” by eveyone out there.
[Editor's note: The review aggregation site RottenTomatoes.com shows that 71% of critics gave "Baby Boy" a positive review while 85% of "regular viewers" liked it. That's a long way from "everyone out there" giving the film an "F."]
that makes me now angry! if it´s so i will boycott screenrant!these black men had give their lives for a country,at a time where they had no rights in it. so give them more respect,for what they did. and don´t tell me now this has nothings to do with races/problem. it shines trough little things like this 2 points from the review. now,i´ll definetely watch it,to see how those pride-black-men lost their lives for a country,in a time,where it was forbidden to sit on places where stand-just for white people-and had beaten an enemy which minds about those races-problem weren´t that different as in their country. i live in one of those countrys(germany)
Whoa, murdok! I think you are missing the point. When a film comes along about real men who were especially heroic – fighting against Nazis AND their own army – most people want the telling of that story to be especially good, not just another 100 minutes of splashy computer graphics, and stories left untold. A good, true story is worth telling well, and apparently that hasn’t happened in this case.
THAT’S what makes people angry.
However, I do agree that calling this a “black film” is way off the mark.
just don´t talk the truth! what´s up with you guys overseas,always ignoring your history. sometimes,i think that we west-europeans,know more about your history as you did.
Wow, a little ethnocentristic there much, Murdok.
“just don´t talk the truth!”
What? Where did I ignore our history? You certainly don’t know more about our history than I do.
I think maybe you are having a little trouble with English comprehension, so does this help?
Whoa, Murdok! Ich denke, Sie vermissen den Punkt. Wenn ein Film daherkommt über echte Männer, die vor allem heroische wurden – im Kampf gegen Nazis und ihre eigene Armee – die meisten Menschen wollen das Erzählen dieser Geschichte besonders gut sein, verließ nicht nur weitere 100 Minuten splashy Computergrafik und Geschichten unerzählt. Eine gute, wahre Geschichte ist es wert erzählt auch, und offensichtlich hat in diesem Fall nicht passiert.
Das macht die Menschen wütend.
Allerdings glaube ich einig, dass der Aufruf von einem “schwarzen Film” ist völlig verfehlt.
i don´t mean it so,my fingers typed too much,this is not a politic-or-ethnic discussion pod,we talk about movies,let´s stay by movies,either for those themas i must write in an for example,a newspaper-site about discussions like this,but not at screenrant. so i´ll let it be. and we can´t change failures in our historys,so let us stay together for a better future,and that things like that won´t repeat again.
Fair enough.
OldRogue hit the nail on the head – as mentioned in the review. The story of The Tuskegee Airmen is a very inspiring story – and, frankly, it deserved a better film to showcase the bravery of the Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Group.
I realize that some people will be inspired by Red Tails and connect with the film but… objectively, it has a lot problems that detract from what could have been a really special and entertaining experience at the theater. For anyone looking for a superior telling of the story, I can’t recommend the HBO TV movie ‘The Tuskegee Airmen’ enough.
Ben ~ I think I could have made the point better if I had said, “this should have been a Spielberg film.”
Seconded.
Thirded!
fourthed
murdock,
It’s been mentioned to me that you’re German, so maybe your English reading comprehension skills aren’t so good. Did you even READ the review? Did you not get the disappointment of the reviewer that this was not a better film than it was – and that he said that the Tuskegee Airmen deserved a BETTER film (with a recommendation at the end of an existing film about them that is actually very good).
Of course some commenters are going to disagree with our reviews – happens on every single one regardless of whether our review is positive or negative.
You need to chill out and relax.
Vic
I’m not surprised that passions run high about this story, nor the telling of it, good or bad.
My father (B-17 waist-gunner) was protected by the 332nd FG until the one mission when he wasn’t, and another FG stepped in. He was shot down on that mission and taken prisoner by the Germans in what is now Croatia. He talks about the 332nd to this day.
That’s my passion, FWIW.
yes,i did described many things,also before other themas a little bit wrong. i try to describe good,but it goes wrong,because i often don´t find the right words. i must teach myself more in your language. and i´m a democratic person,i love your country,and the people,if it were not so,i wouldn´t write with you all about screenrant. next time i´ll read the articles clearer,and i won´t get in political discussions anymore. i don´t wanna hrt people with wrong words,thas not me. sorry.o.k!
and one thing at least,to vic. i am turkish-citizen in my pass,here you don´t get the nationality,even if you were born here! so,i am not german,but i was born here,and in my heart both nations flows trough it. in my motherland,i just go 2 times in maybee 6 years,just for vacation and holidays. in my youth me and my t-friends,where often discrimed by söme stup. germ.(i´ve got many real good german friends)because of the dark colour of skin and hair(arabic-type),and had so many unnecissary fights with skinheads and other nazi crap,that´s why i write sometimes these things about this themas,because it reminds me some clips from my past.
please,mr.holtreman don´t write back to me,if you don´t like my comments. i´ve mentioned,we´re definetely not on the same level. you´re to intellectuel for me.
you sound ridiculous. this movie does no good to credit the Tuskegee Airmen. This movie was a joke. I’m not being racists at all because I know the history behind the Tuskegee Airmen and the trouble they went through in there time. they were a great group of soldiers but this movie doesn’t make them look so great.
Baby Boy actually has a 71% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes – http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baby_boy/
Good battle scenes. To me it was enough to make the movie worth it.
Have absolutely high expectations for the film going to see it today.
The ads promised some cool areal sequences, but Like Han Solo, I had a bad feeling.
Maybe If you took the HBO movie and cut in the FX from this one, you could have “Tuskegee Airmen; The Special Edition” and a film worth watching.
121 minutes is “overlong”?
Given the thin character development and a number of unnecessary scenes – yes. A tighter movie could have alleviated some of problems.
Funny how a (sorry for that) different ethnicity tries to rant about Americans without understanding most of the review because of obvious language issues, and even merges German history in which has no relation to the movie, his own post nor ethnicity, nor the American history he likes to mention here. You missed the point entirely. I’ve seen the movie yesterday on opening screenings, (i’m German who frequently works in the US) and it was almost cartoony to watch sometimes. Would have been better if someone else (maybe Tom Hanks) would have been involved, didn’t watched the HBO movie (yet) but as HBO usually stands for quality, it’s probably a no-brainer to check out their version of history told.
The subplots were superficial formulated (the usual love “story”, alcohol, Stalag 18), the fight they had to fight within their own army was partly cliche but overall coming way too short, the depiction of Germans stereotypical and with almost no lines, and during the overflight scenes of the Italian coastal town one could be reminded of scenes from Naboo.
So, a nice CGI beauty without backing by a captivating workout of the Tusgekee pilot history.
“Funny how a (sorry for that) different ethnicity tries to rant about Americans without understanding most of the review because of obvious language issues…”
The guy (murdok) has apologized TWICE, and said it wouldn’t happen again, so give it a rest, will you?
@Falcone – Let it drop.
Thanks,
Paul Young
google translate or what? every word is discribed totally failse. but,no problem i´ll never defeat any races. i mentioned that it´s not worth for. so,these are my last words on screenrant,bye!
just saying, i loved the movie. i thought it did those men justice. maybe it could’ve been better, but overall it could’ve been worse.
No it couldn’t. They couldn’t have made that movie any worse. The first one with Laurence Fishburn was great. That movie really depicted what they went through and paid homage to them.
This movie was a joke.
You are mistaken. 8^)
JE is entitled to his/her opinion just as we are entitled to go “What’cha talk’n bout Willis?”
On the Real, not only did Lucas put his name and money behind this, he employed minority writers and directors. Dude gets a serious pass for any perceived gaps.
My2Cents
If you known John Ridley or Aaron ‘s work, than you would know that this hardly reflects their type of work. The dialouge does not match their style. In fact it matches George Lucas’ style moreso. Since Lucas’ did finance this movie himself, im positive he was heavily involved in all aspects ofthe film. He is a notorious micro-manager.
To Ignur Rant..
Bruh,
The simple matter is that Lucas employed them and didn’t have to. He told a story he didn’t have to. I can care less if he’s “rumored” to be a micro manager. Besides, writers adapt and change their styles or they don’t last.
Those of us who are currently serving and have served are pretty satisfied with the product.
My2Cents
Well the micro-manager thing is fact man. Lucas employing a black director and screenwriters – kudos to him I guess. But like i said, whats the point if your are gonna personally change it.
Yes, writers often change their style but I still find it hard to believe, as long standing fan of Ridley and work, that they wrote the dialogue when Lucas is notorious for changing scripts. But thats heresay.
Im glad you enjoyed the film. But had this been about the 761st Tank Battalion (First Black Tank Squadron) of which my grandpop served I would have been insulted and disappointed.
But its cool the film is out there. Im hoping it inspires someone to mAke a better version.
Why would you be disappointed if that had been about the 761st?
Anyway, I think we’re from different generations and life experiences. I’d have been pissed if they were “Shuck’n and Jive’n” and running around speaking nonsense while getting called the Nword and Boy a thousand times.
By the way, did you get the opportunity to spend any time with your grandfather and hear any stories?
Because I would wangt it to be taken seriously Long the lines of Saving Private Ryan, Miracle at St Anna or The Thin Red Line.
My Grandpop is still alive and stilll funny as hell. He doesnt ralk that much about the actual battles but he talk about other things that went on. He was a true mack tho, 90% of his stories start with “That reminds of this one dame…”.
That’s cool. Did you take him to see the flick then? I’d like to hear what his take is on it, because the Airmen themselves were satisfied with the film Lucas did.
If they didn’t have a beef with it, I’m surely not going to tell them it was crap.
Anyway, I’d love to hear what he has to say on the film.
LOL@ “That reminds me of this one dame..”
this movie didn’t do the Tuakegee Airmen any good. i don’t know what world your in. the acing was horrible and the plot not so great. with the history and glory behind the 332nd this movie should have been a lot greater
Well some of the personal story subplots were ceertainly cliche…Easy’s dringk problems and self doubt…virtually the entire Lightning story line…including its resolution…you could see that coming a mile away…but I still enjoyed the film. Saw it with a large crowd that appluded at the end. Appluded…a movie…that usuallyu only happens when the flick is good. Just sayin’ so don’t be hatin.’
Hmmmm…here’s a thought. Hanks and Spielberg have made two mini series for HBO…Band of Brohters covered the army in Europe, The Pacific covered the Marines in, well…the Pacific. so how’s ’bout they do two more…Army air Corp in Europe and Navy in the Pacific. The Air Corp series should certainly include Some attention being given to the 332nd.
Also…was there another TV movie about the Tuskegee Airmen? Seems like I recall seeing one on TV, but its been a long time since I had HBO, and the one I recall, while OK, was very much a TV movie. I don’t recall it being on a quality level with Band of Brothers or The Pacific. Just axin’.
Barry,
You’re right, those two could have done that with the original movies, but they opted to deny us that part of history. Throw Clint Eastwood in that mix as well.
I’m trying to figure out why people want to them to do something NOW, that they could have done it years ago?? Why would they change their minds now?
Well My2Cents…remember that BAND OF BROTHERS was based on very specifi source material…a book by Stephen Ambrose. THE PACIFIC was based on I think it was three books by Pacific war veterans. I don’t think Hanks and Spielberg specifically chose to ignore the 8th Air Corp or the Naval contributions in the Pacific. Clint Eastwood’s two movies, again dealt with very specific source material…that doesn’t mean he was choosing to ignore or disrespect the contributions of others not covered in that source material. And you DO understand, I’m sure, that projects like these DO NOT happen over night…months, even years of preparation are needed. Maybe they will do two more mini series on the suggested topics, and maybe they wont. They’re certainly not obligated to do so, and are not bad guys if the don’t do them.
The Tuskegee Airman wasnt a made for TV movie. It was in theaters years ago. It starred lawrence Fishburn. Good flick. And while I think Red Tails script was a bit choppy the acting and battle scenes were supurb. been awhile since I sat in a full theater at 9:00 in the morning and when the movie ended it got a nice round of applause.
HG…I take yoiur word for it, but the other one everyone seems to be talking aboutis being connected to HBO. The one I saw…was on TV and again, while OK, looked like a made for TV flick. Not saying it ws bad, just made for TV. That’s why I’, wondering if there was a third film out there. 8^)
“The Tuskegee Airman wasnt a made for TV movie.”
You may well have seen it in a theater, but it was in fact, a made for TV movie from HBO. After reading all the posts here this afternoon, I decided to watch The Tuskegee Airmen again, and the first thing on the screen was “HBO Movie.”
I also borrowed this from Wikipedia; “The Tuskegee Airmen is a 1995 HBO television movie based on the exploits of an actual groundbreaking unit, the first African American combat pilots in the United States Army Air Corps, that fought in World War II.”
IMDB also says it was a TV movie.
Hi HG. The Tuskegee Airman was a HBO movie on TV won several awards here is a couple of links. No disrepect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tuskegee_Airmen
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114745/
I remember seeing it when it was on – it was very good. I sadly don’t remember a lot of it, so I’m interested in seeing it again.
On a side note, and this might be a little off-topic – I remember reading somehwere recently that it was Spielberg’s idea for the “nuke the fridge” bit in Indy 4.
I just saw this movie, and unfortunately, it was bad. My wife and I enjoyed the battle scenes, but the rest of the movie was pretty bad. The crowd watching did clap at the end, but it was probably more because the majority in the theatre were older African Americans. I am sure they connected with the whole point of the movie.
My wife and I really enjoy good movies, esp. ones with such a great idea. The fact that it was a true story made us all the more excited. However, I feel this review is dead on. I found myself not even worried about missing many of the line in the movie because of the talking going on around me. Within the first 20 minutes of the movie, I could have told you exactly what was going to happen. I really hate that such a great story was not given justice. I am going to look for the HBO version.
I am an African American woman and an air force vet so that you know where I’m coming from. I was also disappointed and feel this review was dead on.
The cinematography and costumes were amazing. The director and the screen writer dropped the ball, they had a least 3 actors from the wire and 2 veteran Actors with film awards who were left hanging. There was no character development so how could you connect to the actors? And anticlimactic musical score almost put me and my girlfriend to sleep. Good character development connects the audience to the movie. The music should rev up the excitement and build tension in a film.
I would still recommend to my friends to support the actors and crew.
Yawn…. I want a USS Indianapolis Movie!!!
Too bad Verna (Mother Cutter) Fields is no longer around to save us from CGI shark fakery. Who would you cast as the young Seaman Quint?
At least with sharks as the main antagonists, you wouldn’t have to worry about losing the Japanese market (a major reason WW2 movies are “dead” in H-wood, especially those set in the Pacific Theater.)
Whassat got to do, got to do with this?
Simply Gorgeous! A Historical Masterpiece!
Red Tails held me pleasantly captivated throughout the whole movie, which didn’t seem two hours long. While watching the movie, I experienced a heightened emotional bond to the characters. The transition in the racial relation amongst the men was refreshing to see.
At the movie’s end, I felt a magnified sense of pride. Being a very gabby person, I’m rarely really at a lost for words to describe my feelings. After watching this movie, it took me hours to actually put my feelings into words. I am still awestruck over this excellence movie.
Thank you George Lucas for making this extremely intriguing, chronological and historical film presentation of the Tuskegee Airmen. You are truly one of the greatest pioneers in the history of the movie industry. God bless you with stunning $ucce$$.
Just got home from seeing the movie. My husband and I were really looking forward to it. Must say we were both deeply disappointed. I think this review is dead on. It addresses most of the problems with the film that we talked about on the way home. I don’t think anyone disagrees that the story of the Tuskeegee Airmen is both inspiring and deserves to be told. But the movie fell far short of the hopes I had for it. I will definitely check out the HBO version.
As expected, this film turned out to be yet another piece of drivel released by an out-of-touch billionaire that continues to crap on the people that made him. To me, Lucas died in 1997 and I mourned him long ago. What remains is nothing but a frogneck that ruins everything he touches, even his own successful previous works. The story about him retiring? We can only hope and pray that it’s true and he never meddles with motion pictures again.
I saw Red Tails on Friday. Though I enjoyed the movie, I have to somewhat agree with the review. The special effects and flying scenes were great, like the majority of Lucas’ work, however, the storyline was a bit lackluster. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the film. I see that someone mentioned above that this was a “black film”, no; it’s a film about men who were apart of our Nation’s rich history, those men just so happen to be black. It’s about history that if not for films like Red Tails and HBO’s: Tuskegee Airmen some people may never know. I read in a Lucas interview, where he said that he didn’t want to overshadow the importance of the Airmen’s contribution with racial overtone and satire. As real as it was for the Airmen, I realize that their contribution to the War was/is much more significant than the racism they endured. Being told that you are inferior or less than, simply because you’re black, is a travesty. However, even today a lot of blacks including myself, are still faced with this very thing. Dr. Roscoe Brown, Tuskegee Airmen said, “Excellence overcomes prejudice”, and I believe that. In my opinion, this came through in a scene when the white soldiers expressed their gratitude to the Airmen for safe returns. It’s even clearer in the fact that the Airmen never lost anyone that they escorted. It was clearest to me, when the elderly white gentleman next to me was in tears. His head crowned in a military cap and tears still rolling after the film, I asked if he were ok. He nodded his head and nervously said, “I was escorted by the Airmen”. I choked as I imagined, the emotion that was stirring inside him, fighting back my own tears, I thanked him for his service. So eventhough, the film wasn’t all that it could have been, it is exactly what it was meant to be. When you do something that impacts people and you do it well, the color of your skin doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t matter what the critics rate this film, their critique can’t change what the Airmen did. The critique, certainly says that Lucas could’ve done a better job, but the true story is still and will always be a 10. Research, read and understand our history, but more importantly; live, work and love in excellence. “Excellence overcomes prejudice”…
Now that was wonderful. Thank you for sharing such a great moment. This alone makes me want to see this film.
E Coleman,
I enjoyed your comments and I enjoyed the film. The story about the veteran you met who was escorted by the Tuskegee Airmen really supported your position about the value of this film. The review here rightfully points out some of the film’s flaws in the character development area. To me, however, the telling of the story is more important than individual character development for this film.
The characters represent that time and an important change that occurred in our history. The screenwriters took a soft approach with the story-bringing up issues and then moving on. It was almost like a discussion with someone you know well about people you understand. They give you enough of the story to understand what occurred without discussing all of the details because you both understand the players so well. Red Tails is like that to me. As Americans we know and have lived with our history. We know the discussions and subplots that could have been played out on the screen but in this case we did not need them. We just needed the outline of the story to understand the contributions of these American heroes.
Red Tails had other messages beyond equality however. There are some powerful messages on leadership in the movie too–but again those messages appear quickly and then the plot moves on. If you’re interested in some of the leadership lessons from Red Tails, I wrote a post on my blog that discusses this area. The link address is http://managementisajourney.com/2012/01/what-does-george-lucass-film-red-tails-teach-us-about-leadership/. (What Does George Lucas’s Film Red Tails Teach Us About Leadership?) Red Tails is not a perfect film but it’s a powerful film worth seeing.
Thank you for your comments, honest and truthful. I hope the big studios read the reviews and give Mr. Lucas a thumbs up for taking the risk. We are all Americans and our stories deserve to be told. I also had the opportunity to meet soldiers who were guide by the airmen at the airport many who sport Tuskegee Jackets and had nothing but good words for their follow officers.
I have to disagree with the review. I found that I was holding my breath at more than a few moments in the film. Maybe I’m biased as African American and an 21 year vet of the USAF… maybe.
Having said that, I didn’t want to see another film with heavy racial undertones. I’d rather not leave the theater feeling like scowling at all the caucasians. I’ve heard enough “Boy” and N… in my life.. less on screen was very cool with me.
I’m not even a generation removed from the Civil Rights era and I really don’t want to have the stories my dad and mom have told me about growing up in segregation, repeating in my head. I liked the lack of “heat.”
I’ve also served in Italy and know how the women are there and loved the romantic side story. Could it have been more dramatic? More Lifetime networky? Sure. But my family was cool with it as is. All my fellow airmen, Black, White and otherwise, loved the film.
I was pissed that It wasn’t playing on the IMAX screen. Could Spielberg have done a better job? Yah, but you know what?? That dude had several opportunities to tell a war story with minority involvement and he didn’t.. Clint Eastwood too. Bump them! Lucas gets my dollars and respect for having the balls and conviction to make this big budget film.
Thank you for your review. Very well written. It’s wonderful to see there’s at least one person out there besides me who loved this movie. Thank you for your service Airman!
I second your whole take on this film, My 2 Cents. The story, without question, should be told again and again, until everyone see the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen. The light touch on the backstory was okay with me, too, having lived in segregated, civil-rights-era south Louisiana. I don’t need the reminder, but a lot of younger people may need more explanation.
A lot could have been improved, granted, so I don’t entirely disagree with the original reviewer, BUT I give the film 5 stars for documenting a little known fact of WWII history. Lucas cared enough to put his money where is mouth is, got the film made before all the Airmen are gone, and did it with some great talent. Others didn’t.
It was okay. Did the Tuskegee Airmen deserve better? Of course they did. A “Band of Brothers” type miniseries would have been nice. But it did what it was supposed to do.
Red Tails is a boy’s own wartime adventure. Lucas himself joked that that it was actually made in 1944 and has just been released now. Good versus evil. We’re all Americans. You’re all that stands between the free world and Hitler. Whatever your hard luck story is, straighten up and fly right.
It’s “Flying Tigers”, “Air Force”, and “A Wing and a Prayer.” The Tough But Fair CO. The Flight Leader with Something to Prove. The Reckless Hotshot. The Boy Who Must Become a Man. The Comic Relief. These aren’t well rounded characters. They’re not supposed to be.
They’re characters in a WWII patriotic melodrama. Yes, the direction was somewhat flat. Movies made in the Classic Hollywood Style usually were. Red Tails would have been a decent addition to the old Warner Brothers war movie stable. Although back then, Easy and Lightening would have both been competing for Sofia.
★★★★★
Well said, Omar.
HAhahah! I was actually waiting on that competition to happen, but was satisfied that it played out like it did.
While “Band of Brothers” is my favorite War “flick/s” it omitted a ton of history that took place in the very battles it covered, like the 761st Tank Battalion and Redball Express drivers pulling Patton’s bacon out the fire during the Battle of the Bulge.
I’ll add this and STFU.. I was working as an usher when “Platoon” came out. Theatre full of Nam Vets sitting there crying and hugging during and after the film ended. Now, as a vet myself, I know how important these movies are and why the stories have to be told. Watered down or not, they HAVE to be told.
And thanks to every commenter here for the classy… comments.
If Black Cinema had to take this one embarassing blow, so that we could be the scapegoat for George Lucas’ exit from the film industry, than victory truly is ours.
The movie could have been made alot better .
Too many cliches and goofy dialogue. T’gee gee boys were not done not justice. Spielberg and Hanks would have done better.
As a pilot and WW2 aviation historian , it was barely OK. Too bad.
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Friggin’ knew it…movie had cheesy written all over it…sucks, cuz i agree with Ben in that the Tuskegee Airmen CERTAINLY deserve a better movie..
P.S. I second his recommendation for the HBO movie…it ROCKED…
Shocking that this film has no UK release date….
This movie bombed bad…..
What a stupid movie! The first one with Laurence Fishburn was great. This was so cheesy and stupid that I couldn’t wait for it to be over. The acting was so terrible that the whole film should have been blown up.
The directing was equally has bad. Lucas was trying to make this a Star Wars in WWII era.
Talk about poor realism. They had a black airman seek out and fall in love with an Italian girl while her Mother approves.
….Yeah right! In real life that Italian Mother would have chased him down the street with her spaghetti bender.
The movie was also so predictable. Full of cliches and cheesy dialogue. They kept having Cuba Gooding chomp on his pipe like a chipmunk.
I could go on and on. Save your money. Don’t go.
JE…you are correct regarding the cliched personal story lines…could see all that coming. Regarding you other comments… it is my opinion that you are mistaken in these matters.
Don’t go? HECK FIRE! GO TWICE!!
…and yes I can say that, and no I don’t have to justify what I said…it is my OPINION that JE is mistaken in the OPINIONS he has stated.
I have seen Red Tails twice already and enjoyed it even more the second time around. I am so frustrated reading the negative reviews based upon the fact that George Lucas doesn’t delve deep enough into the history and struggles of the Tuskegee Airman’s fight for equality. Who says that just because he chose to make a movie based upon this subject matter that it becomes his responsibilty and obligation to society and the public to address those issues in a deep, meaningful, and apologetic style? ( More people should spend time reading Any Rand “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged”)
Red Tails is made in the style of a classic old movie with corny dialouge and the perfect mix of wonderfully cliche characters…. which also has amazing special effects. The depiction and accuracy of the aircraft are pretty much perfect. The Tuskegee Airman are shown as the heroes they were. If anything, Lucasfilms has introduced the public to a topic they may never have know anything about if they hadn’t see it in a movie. Hopefully it will inspire some of these folks to want to study deeper about these men. There’s plenty of history and information out there to be found.
Now, come on people! Lighten up and enjoy this movie the way it was meant to be enjoyed!
George Lucas stated we wanted to make a campy, popcorn flick for young African American teens. He mentioned sequels being directed by Spike Lee and Lee Daniels. Is this true?
I saw this film and I give it 4 stars. The visuals of course were great. The acting (or I should say the script) was lacking a bit in comparison. It’s not like they didn’t have great actors.I preferred the HBO version a little bit more. But I still recommend this film, it’s a great story. It’s an important film worth seeing