Product: Flyboys [Blu-ray] (2006)
Rating: 4.0
An Old-Fashioned Period Piece Makes a Fine Film
FLYBOYS is a pleasure to watch - going back into World War I history that deals with actual events yet takes the time to introduce unforgettable characters and romantic situations while giving the viewer a spectacular view of the first flying fighter planes. Yes, it has its flaws in technical lines, but it has a strong, committed cast and a storyline that flows seamlessly to the end.Tony Bill uses his resources from his countless cinematic experiences in adapting a story by Blake T. Evans (screenplay by Phil Sears, David S. Ward, and Evans) to recreate the legendary Lafayette Escadrille, a disparate group of young Americans who volunteered for the French military to become the country's first fighter pilots before the USA entered World War I. He manages to find the world atmosphere during the Great War, a time when young American boys who had no chance for significance in the tough times USA to go 'over there' to fight the Germans. He begins with the lad Blaine Rawlings (James Franco) who has just lost his family's farm to the bank, with William Jensen (Philip Winchester) who must live up to his family's fame as heroes, with Briggs Lowry (Tyler Labine) whose father sees him as a complete loss to his wealthy gentrified family, with Eddie Beagle (David Ellison) who leaves for war with his sweetheart's picture against his breast, with frustrated black fighter Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis) - a crew of boys who become bonded through the efforts of the French Captain Thenault (Jean Reno) and the loner flyer Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson).Planes are designed, the boys are rigorously trained, and off they go to missions never before flown, missions that waste some, and make heroes of others. Along the way Rawlings meets Lucienne (Jennifer Decker), a French girl who speaks no English but whose heart emboldens Rawlings to feats of heroism.The fighting scenes are terrific to watch as they seem to be done with toys, so light are the aircraft that started flying fighters. Yes, there are problems in depicting these missions because there are no stunt men who would dare fly such machines even for a movie. But Tony Bill keeps our attnetion with his direction and with the aerial cinematography of Henry Braham. The costumes are excellent and the musical score by Trevor Rabin recalls the period well. James Franco and his fellow actors offer solid performances. This is a bit of the past that is well to re-examine: FLYBOYS provides an evening of nostalgia and a fine story though at 140 minutes it could have been edited). Grady Harp, February 07