The characters, although based on real life people, are one-dimensional stereotypes that exist for the sole purpose of presenting indistinguishable flesh-and-blood pilots for superabundant air battles.
Flyboys (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 123
Fresh: 40
Rotten:83
Average Rating: 4.9/10
Consensus: A poorly scripted history-rewriting exercise with mediocre acting and unconvincing CGI battle scenes.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for war action violence and some sexual content.
Runtime: 2 hrs 20 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:Sep 22, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $13,048,522
Synopsis: "Flyboys," the first World War I aviation film in over 40 years, is inspired by the epic, courageous tale of the American young men who would become known as the legendary Lafayette Escadrille. ... "Flyboys," the first World War I aviation film in over 40 years, is inspired by the epic, courageous tale of the American young men who would become known as the legendary Lafayette Escadrille. They were ordinary boys who volunteered for the first World War looking for adventure, and in the process, they became heroes. Never before has a movie so accurately portrayed the thrill and danger of the aerial dogfights that played such an integral role in the Allied resistance. In 1917, prior to the official entry into the war by the United States, the Allied powers of France, England and Italy were on the ropes against the German juggernaut. Some altruistic young Americans volunteered to fight alongside their counterparts in France. Some joined the infantry, others chose the Ambulance Corps. But 38 young men had a different idea: they decided to learn how to fly. Their motivations for enlisting may have been different: Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) is searching for his purpose following the bank's foreclosure of his family ranch, Briggs Lowry (Tyler Labine) is shamed into joining by his disciplinarian father, while African-American expatriate boxer Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis) vows to repay his debt to his adopted, racially-tolerant country. But under the command of French Captain Thenault (Jean Reno) and the leadership of American veteran Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson), these young American men took to the air with honor everyday as they risked their lives, not just in facing the formidable German aggressors, but also in boarding their newly-invented, mechanically-imperfect aircraft, which were being used in combat for the first time. Inspired by the true story of the legendary Lafayette Escadrille, "Flyboys" is directed by Academy Award ®-winner Tony Bill ("The Sting") and produced by Dean Devlin ("The Patriot," "Independence Day," "Stargate") and Marc Frydman (ABC's "Commander in Chief"). James Franco ("Spiderman," "Spiderman 2") stars with Marin Henderson ("The Ring") and Jean Reno ("The Da Vinci Code"). -- © Electric Entertainment [More]
Starring: Jean Reno, James Franco, Martin Henderson, Ian Rose
Starring: Jean Reno, James Franco, Martin Henderson, Ian Rose, Abdul Salis, Jennifer Decker, Lex Shrapnel, David Ellison
Director: Tony Bill
Director: Tony Bill
Screenwriter: Blake T. Evans, David S. Ward
Producer: Dean Devlin, Mark Frydman
Composer: Trevor Rabin
Studio: MGM
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Release:
May 19, 2009
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Region [unknown]
- NTSC
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
- Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio - English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - French, Spanish
- Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Alternate Scenes: Deleted Scenes
- Audio Commentary: Tony Bill - Director; Dean Devlin - Producer
Documentary:
- 1. "Real Heroes: The True Story of the Lafayette Escadrille"
- 2. "Whiskey and Soda: The Lion Mascots"
Behind the Scenes:
- 1. "The Life of a Minature Stunt Pilot"
- 2. "Taking Flight: The Making of a Flying Sequence"
- 3. "The Real Planes of FLYBOYS"
Trailers:
- 1. High Definition Theatrical Trailers
- 2. Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
- Pop Ups - Trivial Track
Reviews for Flyboys
The best of Pearl Harbor meeting the worst of HBO's Band of Brothers.
Yearning for a time when warfare seemed so much simpler and more honourable, Flyboys is a thrilling, spectacular ride - but only when its dull characters get off the ground.
This well-produced, engaging film somewhat overreaches itself, trying to turn a crackling adventure into a sweeping emotional epic.
It's as family-friendly as a war movie can be these days, relying on the daring of its amazing aerial sequences rather than carnage or vulgarity to promote its authenticity.
Flyboys doesn't just use cliches - it wallows in them, feeling more like a film based on old war movies than actual history.
With its meticulous attention to detail and superior production values, the film promises much more than its unseasoned cast and thin plotting deliver.
Amazing aerial stunts %u2013 they are really are quite a sight to behold.
Romanticised battles and chivalry, heroic deeds and brutal deaths, these are the elements that Flyboys flies by, a thrilling adventure from the pages of history, tinged with the sadness of it all.
Weak on story, but strong on action, Flyboys is actually worth seeing for the effects alone.
Even the aerial battle scenes are frustrating because they've been shot with no sense of space (the effect is similar to watching a dance sequence where you can't see the dancers' feet).
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