My favorite movies are Purple Rain, Grease, and The Bodyguard. Call me lame, but it makes perfect sense that as a music enthusiast, I hold in high regard movies that rock … literally.
And those who best know me are fully aware that getting me to go to the movies is like asking me to exercise without my iPod. Chances are, I’m not gonna do it.
But despite being void of the musical-like themes to which I’m usually attracted, when the Red Tails hype hit, I knew this movie was a must-see for me.
Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard and fully funded by George Lucas, Red Tails tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots who fought during World War II as part of the United States military. The film highlights the Airmen’s plight to be recognized for their valiant combat service during the tumultuous Jim Crow era.
The well-written screen play (John Ridley and Aaron McGruder) seamlessly introduces its cast of colorful characters. Each soldier has his own set of memorable nuances, and observing the spectrum of their personalities makes you feel as if you’re hanging out with a group of life-long buddies. From Ne-Yo’s (Andrew “Smokey” Salem) lovable southern twang…
…to Terrence Howard’s (Colonel A.J. Ballard) strong-willed temperament…
each character’s liveliness makes even mundane soldier tasks seem interesting.
Red Tails aerial combat scenes were extraordinarily breathtaking. From bullets hitting the planes’ canopies to spectacular nose dives from simulated altitudes, the sophisticated special effects create impressive, authentic battle scenes. Only Avatar and Star Wars have boasted more special effects than Red Tails.
Considering the prejudices Tuskegee Airmen faced, Red Tails could have easily been heavy with negative rhetoric. While the film does acknowledge the Airmen’s obstacles, it focuses more on their triumphs as brave, All-American heroes.
A positively, awesome movie that will encourage older generations to reflect on the past and will inspire younger generations to be hopeful for promising tomorrows!
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