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| THE
BARBERSHOP MOVIE REVIEW This week's reviewed movie is: RED TAILS |
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| No African
Americans served as officers or pilots in the U.S.
Army Air Corps -- but that changed after WWII started with a shortage of fighter pilots. A black pilot training program called the Tuskegee Airmen went on to be one of the best fighter squadrons in the Air Corp -- known by the bomber crews they protected as the Red Tails, whom they respected for saving so many lives and bringing the planes home safely. It's about time they continue to receive the attention they well deserve. Another big plus is about one of the coolest airplanes ever to be made: the P-51 Mustang used by these pilots. |
When it's in the air, Red Tails is an
exciting, rip-roaring action flick; but when it is
grounded, it's an overly preachy, predictable melodramatic mess. Both entertaining and cheesy, this story of racial prejudice during WWII may deliver some insight into the 332nd fighter group, but at the same time shows what poor dialogue, dismal plotting, and comic book cliches can do to a movie. The Tuskegee Airmen deserve better, and got it in 1995 when HBO did a better film. Still, it's hard to deny the impact of the superb special effects that dominate this version. |
Red Tails is based on the
real-life high-flying top gun action aces of the
WWII-era Tuskegee Airmen. This is a historical drama about the very first African American military pilots, who served in segregated units during the 1940s. The story centers on the talented, but frustrated, men of the 332nd fighter group, who had to fight for respect, funding, and good assignments from Washington. The movie, a George Lucas production, is a forceful sky war pageant -- brilliantly displayed in the air. |
