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Flyboys [2006]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

World War I aviation action gets an impressive digital upgrade in Flyboys, a welcome addition to the "dogfight" sub-genre that includes such previous war-in-the-air films like Hell's Angels, Wings, and The Blue Max. While those earlier films had the advantage of real and genuinely dangerous flight scenes (resulting, in some cases, in fatal accidents during production), Flyboys takes full (and safe) advantage of the digital revolution, with intensely photo-realistic recreations of WWI aircraft, authentic period structures, and CGI environments requiring a total of 850 digital effects shots, resulting in an abundance of amazing images, many of them virtually indistinguishable from reality. Unfortunately, the film's technical achievement is more impressive than its screenplay, which conventionally and predictably tells the fact-based story, set in France in 1916, of the daring young pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille, a pioneering French air-combat unit that welcomed American enlistees prior to the United States' entry into the war.

There's a familiar cliché to match every thrilling scene of aerial combat, but director Tony Bill manages to keep it all interesting, from the romance between a young American maverick (James Franco) and a pretty French girl (newcomer Jennifer Decker) to the exciting action in the air, which includes a stock variety of heroes (many of them composites of real-life WWI pilots) and an intimidating villain known only as "The Black Falcon," whose Fokker Dr-1 triplane (one of many in the film) recalls the exploits of German "ace of aces" Manfred von Richtofen, the dreaded "Red Baron" of legend. With impeccable production values that will impress even the most nit-picking aviation buffs, Flyboys (like Superman Returns and Apocalypto, also released in 2006) was also one of the first feature films to be shot with Panavision's state-of-the-art Genesis digital cameras, resulting in beautiful images that meet or exceed the visual nuance of film. Flyboys also benefits from painstaking attention to physical detail, making it easier to forgive its shortcomings as a generic and formulaic slice of romanticised history. So while some viewers may have wished for a more realistic and grown-up depiction of the Lafayette Escadrille, it's safe to say that Flyboys will be thrilling its target audience for many years to come. --Jeff Shannon

A good solid film with some good action
Review date: 2008-09-19 Rating: 6 out of 10

I enjoyed this film, I liked the plane fights, although I was disappointed that there were not more and indeed prolonged fights as some of them tended to be over before they really got started.

The film is a good length, an injection of more substance would not have gone a miss, but I still found it very watchable all the same.

Good performances by the cast James Franco and Jean Reno stand out the most, to be fair they're given easily the most to do too, there is a black actor the inclusion in the of which in the squadron causes some friction initially, but then his character goes AWOL for almost the entire film which is a shame as they could have developed this from him being treated as an outsider to being included within the group, this does happen, but you don't see how.

I know this film has some bad reviews, but if you like wartime films what are not heavy, nor too long then this'll be worth checking out I think.

There's also a love story entwined in the film, but is never dwelled upon and goes to add some more meat to the film.

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Reviews


Disappointing
Review date: 2008-09-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

I looked forward to seeing this film, and though I appreciate constraints that film makers work under, there were far too many inaccuracies for me. If I'd checked out the imdb.com film database online, I would have seen enough to stop me from spending my money.

For those interested in details of any film released, this is a good reference source, and in the case of this film, just look for the link to "Goofs", discounting the continuity errors and only looking at the factual ones, the list is too numerous for me to relate here.

A missed chance to create a modern accurate portrayal of WW1 aerial combat of the time period depicted.

Oh dear!
Review date: 2008-08-11 Rating: 2 out of 10

A genuinely fascinating subject has been dumbed down to an unbelievable level.
The one positive (and there is only one!) is the nice-looking Nieuports, Gothas etc.
The flying sequences are about as unrealistic as it's possible to get as there is NEVER any doubt that you're watching some ham-fisted geek throwing a load of planes around in a computer. Someone clearly decided that WW1 air battles were a bit too boring, so they had to add a few inane stunts.
The "story" limps from one cliche to another (most of which have already been mentioned) and I was half expecting Benny Hill to appear wearing a pointed helmet and a monacle!
I didn't expect this to be a documentary, but as there's the occasional nod towards authenticity (Capt Thenault existed, and the Escadrille had two lion cubs as mascots), I would have expected something more than the usual gung-ho Hollywood tosh.
It is reported that the lead character is based on Frank Luke (even although he didn't fly in the Escadrille Lafayette). Compare and contrast ... Luke was a bare-knuckle boxer who shot down 14 German aircraft in 8 days. On September 29th 1918, he took off without authorisation, shot down three German balloons, and was severely wounded but still managed to strafe enemy lines before crashing and then fighting a running battle with German troops. He was found dead, with an empty gun and 7 dead Germans in front of him. For this, he was posthumously awarded The Medal of Honour. The lead character in this dire film is a pale shadow of the real pilots of WW1.

Complete tosh but enjoyable
Review date: 2008-07-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

If you are looking for historical accuracy and realistic flying sequences this is not for you.

However as escapism masquerading as a history lesson then this is a very watchable movie.

The best way to enjoy this film is to revert to a prepubescent mind set ignore the (thankfully few) gooey human interest bits and let yourself go for a rip rawing seat of the pants Biggelesesk yarn.


Disrespectful nonsense
Review date: 2008-04-21 Rating: 2 out of 10

It surely demonstrates a lack of regard for the fallen aviation heroes of the Great War to depict their courage within the bounds of this contemptible pantomime. There are too many gruesome cliches and affronts against good taste for me to even begin on them. If, as seems likely, market forces drive Hollywood to produce vacuous drivel like this, God help us.

Product Details/Specifications


Artist(s):
James Franco
Jean Reno

Actor(s):
Lex Shrapnel
James Franco
Martin Henderson
Jean Reno
Ian Rose

Creators:
James Franco (Primary Contributor)
Jean Reno (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5039036034432
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-08
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 133 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006

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