Scorsese & Di Caprio fly in "The Aviator."

Rating: 10/10 (9 January 2005)

Martin Scorsese's latest work, "The Aviator" is a stunning masterpiece. It gives a brilliant depiction of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes as he was in his prime. This film is a complete joyride from start to finish. It is a well rounded character study of one of the most interesting Americans of the 20th century. The script gives us very fine avenues to observe Howard Hughes for the man he was without trying to show us as viewers the morality of his character. The movie is a very strict observation of what it was to be Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio has outdone himself as an actor. As great as he was in Steven Spielberg's "Catch me if you Can," DiCaprio gives a performance in "The Aviator" that is ten times more powerful & fulfilling. Dicaprio delicately captures every one of Howard Hughes quirks and patterns of odd behavior, without making it obvious. It is in the opinion of your's truly that this performance by Leonardo DiCaprio has officially solidified him as one of the finest actors of this and probably more generations to come. Other notable performances were Cate Blanchett, who was near-perfect as screen legend Katherine Hepburn, and the ever reliable John C. Reilly as Howard Hughes business manager. Jude Law was prominent in a brief scene as Errol Flynn. But it is Scorsese's direction that deserves much of the attention. This film at over 2 1/2 hours never has a dull moment. It never drags on. Every scene segues perfectly from one to the next. Hopefully the Oscars will finally honor one of our true film-making giants at this year's Academy Awards. "The Aviator" soars to perfection.