Product: Flyboys [Blu-ray] (2006)
Rating: 3.0
Patriotism Soars
On Dec 17, 1903, Orville Wright made history by flying the Kitty Hawk about ten feet above the ground. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered less than 200 feet. He was moving at a speed of just 7 miles per hour! Within a dozen years or so, technology had proceeded to the point where planes could fly over 100 MPH, with ceilings up to 20,000 feet. Mount a machine gun and voila! You have a new dimension in modern warfare: aerial combat.Flyboys tells the story of a ragtag group of Americans who flew for France in World War I, before the United States officially entered the war. The plot is fairly predictable for this genre, even cliche at points, but the movie still works thanks to some amazing CGI that gives photo realistic images of the aerial combat. The cinematography is well done all around.The acting was passable. The performance of French actress Jennifer Decker was memorable, despite limited screen time.The blu-ray transfer is outstanding--one of the best I have seen. Amazing detail; rich colors; little or no film grain, even in nighttime shots. Because of the gorgeous cinematography and CGI effects, this is a film where you want the best possible clarity, and this blu-ray delivers. The sound is also very good. The battle noises are effective, and the epic soundtrack plays great.Parental Advisory: Flyboys features realistic wartime violence, mild language, drinking (but not drunkenness), and a couple of scenes in a brothel (but very tame by modern standards). Also, a couple kiss in one scene. The PG-13 rating is for the violence. Apart from that, it would have been a mild PG. This is a throwback to an older style of movie making.I recommend this movie. While fairly predictable, it nevertheless has some patriotic spirit and is beautiful to watch. The three-star rating is for the movie. If I were rating the blu-ray transfer only, I would give it a full five stars. If you are considering an upgrade from DVD, do it. You will not be sorry.