Excellent

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2004)

The Aviator is quite a film. On one hand it is a biopic about an influential figure and a comment on a time and place in America. On the other hand, The Aviator is a visceral adventure and a cautionary tale of the madness obsession can bring.
I don't know how people will accept this movie. Many may be off put by the story. Well it isn't a happy story but don't fault the film. Scorsese's technical prowess has come full circle into the digital realm.
The editing is tight and the story flows well even over its 2.5+ hours. We know all the characters and why we are being introduced to them. There are few players that are merely set dressing.
While the arc of the story isn't new to anybody who knows what happened to Howard Hughes, we are kept in suspense; especially during the Senate hearings. But there is one scene that is simply stunning in The Aviator. The XF-11 sequence is absolutely amazing. It was raw and frightening. Exciting and beautiful to watch. I would give this film a 10 for that sequence alone, It is simply a masterful blend of photography, acting, special and digital effects, and especially editing. I love spectacle in movies and for me, recommending The Aviator on the basis of the XF-11 sequence would be the same as somebody recommending Ben Hur because of the Chariot Race.
The Aviator is an exciting film. It is a frightening tale about America and about madness. Above all, The Aviator is superb entertainment.