Red Tails

Year: 2012
Genre: War Drama
Directed: Anthony Hemingway
Stars: Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo, Michael B. Jordan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Method Man, Bryan Cranston
Production: Lucasfilm

Red Tails is one of those movies you're hoping will succeed. Aside from an HBO film and a few accolades on the History Channel, the Tuskegee Airmen haven't gotten much attention celluloid-wise. In fact most of the people who know them do so solely because their history textbooks in high school mention them in passing (under the section "African American's During the War" no doubt). The fact is approximately 445 Airmen were deployed overseas flying 311 mission over Europe and destroying 262 German aircraft. These statistics are in addition to having one of the most distinguished records protecting American Bombers during WWII.

These bombers right here...

George Lucas was aware of these accomplishments and thought the surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen should be honored with a feature film. 25+ years later we have…this? The film mostly revolves around a small group of pilots and their commanders cleaning up the Italian countryside waiting for their first shot at the big time.

Until such time arrives, the audience has to endure a series of badly rendered CGI special effects, corny dialogue and bland characters with little to do on the ground. It seems the creators blew their budget on the first aerial battle because once in the air, the aerial acrobatics are limited to four American planes and a goofily villainous Nazi Ace.

A scar across the face? You went with that chestnut?

It almost feels like the makers of this film fought so hard for the concept that once the project was green-lighted they created the script by committee caring very little about character, historical context or even proper sound mixing. These things would be forgivable if everything wasn't so perfunctory. The tacked-on romance, phoned in racism, and inter-squadron squabbles are all so featureless that absolutely nothing sticks with you. It's a shame because the real heroes deserve much better than a film with the mentality of a mediocre theme park ride.

Weeeeeeee!!!!

Final Grade: F