Best Blu ray Movie Review: Red Tails [Blu-ray] Cheap

Red Tails [Blu-ray] Cheap

Red Tails [Blu-ray]

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Red Tails [Blu-ray]

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Aerial spectacle gives this World War II drama a lift. Based on the true adventures of the Tuskegee Airmen, who battled Nazis in the air and racism on the ground, Red Tails is built around four pilots, each with a character-type-appropriate nickname: the daredevil is named Lightning (David Oyelowo), the likable boozer is Easy (Nate Parker), the kid trying to prove himself is Junior (Tristan Wilds), and the joker is called, uhm, Joker (Elijah Kelley). While these four chafe at their lousy assignments at the front, Colonel Bullard (Terrence Howard, applying his steely rasp to fervent, inspirational speeches) fights back in Washington to give these men a chance to prove themselves… and when they get that chance, prove themselves they do. This is a crucial bit of history--racial integration in the military was a key step leading to the civil rights movement decades later. Regrettably, this powerful material has been reduced to ham-fisted clichés, groaning under the weight of clumsy exposition. Such flimsy hokum is particularly surprising coming from co-screenwriter Aaron McGruder, creator of the sharply satirical The Boondocks; one suspects that the heavy hand of producer George Lucas was a factor. Nonetheless, when Red Tails takes to the air, the movie--like the pilots--shows its mettle. Though the digital effects are inexplicably uneven, the dizzying dogfight choreography will make your nerves tingle. --Bret Fetzer

Red Tails [Blu-ray] Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful

Left the movie theater thinking "When am I going to see this again?", January 20, 2012

By

Shamontiel L. Vaughn "Message from Montie" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Tails (DVD)

I'd heard a critic tear this movie up (on the radio) before I walked in. I'd been counting down the days to see the film and it just so happened to be a huge snowstorm tonight in Chicago (six inches and counting), but I was so determined to see this film that I simply didn't care. If I had to march to see it, I was going to march, fall and slide all the way there but I was going to show my support opening night. And I did. And after I finished watching the film, I thought, "I want to see this movie again. How quickly can I return to the show?"

I know the backstory of how hard it was to get this two decade old film in theaters. I definitely appreciate George Lucas for bringing this film to the big screen. Even better I think it's cool that so many actors who weren't as popular in films (even if they were great on TV) got to show their movie chops, like Tristan Wilds ("90210," "The Wire") and music artists like Ne-Yo and Method Man. I was already a big fan of Nate Parker from... Read more

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful

Red Tails is a great story and a great lesson., January 22, 2012

By

Samuel Allmond (Omaha NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Tails (DVD)

In my opinion, the 20 Jan 2012, review of "Red Tails" was off-the-mark. The review stated that the flying scenes were great, but the "ground story" within movie, was shallow - rehashing old racial inequality themes. However, the reviewer was wrong for TWO reasons:

First, as of 22 Jan 2912, "Red Tails" is the number two in the country, with a $19 million dollar purse for the first week! Secondly, there was an apparent miscalculation by the movie industry writ-large, that the American public has somehow lost interest and draw power in a TRUE story of Americans overcoming overwhelming odds and adversity to fight for their country and for racial equality.

Red Tails delivers outstanding performances by both A-listers Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard as well as the up-and-coming supporting actors. The action, tempo and effects were great. The storylines for the characters were good as well. The movie allows Americans the opportunity to review first-hand the... Read more

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful

Heroes facing impossible odds and P-51 Mustangs!, January 11, 2012

By

S. Hall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Tails (DVD)

I was so excited to see the movie, that I posted ahead of time. Now that I've seen it, I thought it was a great telling of a true story. I give it a solid 4 stars, because the actors were excellent, the cinematography was good, the combat effects were actually better than okay. The music could have been better, but despite that it is an instant classic in my book.

The movie is fantastic because it shows the story of men who had to fight with honor and dignity against extreme odds in order to fight with bullets and power against our country's enemies. Their story has been represented before on film, and hopefully will again; it's a story worthy of being told over and over. Thumbs up to the actors, producers and all involved for doing a very good job. Was it the best of the best job possible? Maybe not, but it was entertaining and enlightening. I respect George Lucas for caring enough to put his money into this story, to bring it to the big screen like a major film, despite... Read more

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Red Tails [Blu-ray]