Red Tails

In World War II, the famous African American fighter unit, the Tuskegee Airmen, took to the skies in their Red Tailed fighter planes. Their resounding successes helped integrate the U.S. Army, thereby denting the racism of their time. And now, with the financial support of producer George Lucas, their story now has a theatrical film called Red Tails.

In this true life story, the heroes are named Martin/Easy (Nate Parker), Joe/Lightning (David Oyelowo), Samuel/Joker (Elijah Kelley) and Ray/Ray Gun (Tristan Wilds). While war is hell for their white counterparts, they find it "boring as hell." It's especially boring considering that the Man won't give them a decent fighter mission.

However, thanks to Col. Bullard (Terrence Howard), the Tuskegee Airmen now have front line duties. Specifically, they've now become escorts for American Bombers plowing to Axis bases. But still, even if they do swat away Nazi planes, there's still the racism on the ground.

Anthony Hemingway, who previously directed episodes for such shows as The Wire and CSI: NY, transitions to film here. What Hemingway has realized is a story filled with old-fashioned cliches. But these cliches aren't intrusive, especially not in a film that's this impressive.

Armed with impressive visuals, sound and editing, the film's dogfights succeed in their aim of amazement. On the ground, the editing also suits the film in its dramatic moments. Even the screenplay, as old-fashioned as it may seem, contains some impressive lines. Add in there some fine performances for these "basic" characters, and you have the year's first summer blockbuster.

Don't come here if you want to know history. Come here, instead, to see some amazing planes in action. That's what Red Tails aims to deliver, and on that end, it succeeds.