Flyboys

James Franco
Martin Henderson
David Ellison
Jennifer Decker
Jean Reno

Directed by: Tony Bill

Before the United States entered World War One several Americans volunteered to become pilots for the French Air Force. Flyboys tells the story of select group of men who became members of the largely American squadron known as the Lafayette Escadrille, all for their own, very different reasons.

As soon as I left the theater, my heart pumping, my mind racing, I turned to my friends and declared, “Flyboys is the Star Wars of World War One movies.” I truly believe that is the most accurate way to describe the film. The aerial combat scenes were mind-blowing, the action was intense and fun, the good guys were really good and the bad guys were very, very bad. Just like the original Star Wars.

I’ll admit that I am a big fan of movies, books and comics about World War One and Two, especially concerning fighter pilots and airplane combat. This film more than delivers as it contains some of the most visually stunning and heart-stopping dogfights I have ever seen in my life. The special effects were incredible and at times it is hard to tell whether you are watching real footage or computer-generated effects. Each scene featuring the Lafayette Escadrille going into action became more intense and exhilarating than the last and by the end of the movie I found that I was on the edge of my seat, almost breathless, a huge smile spread across my face. I felt like a little kid and I couldn’t get enough.

But don’t go into Flyboys looking for a historically accurate reenactment of life as a pilot during World War One. This film has more in common with old war comics and pulp adventure stories than it does anything else. Which is one of the main reasons, aside from the great effects and action, I compare this film to Star Wars. It’s high action and drama, good guys vs. bad guys. It is not an examination of life on the front lines. Not that you can’t learn a lot about just what it took to be a fighter pilot at the advent of aerial warfare. Just remember that this film isn’t a documentary on the History Channel and you should have ball.

As for the film’s actual story, while my favorite parts of the movie largely took place in the sky, I really enjoyed the moments in between as well. The characters were fun to watch and each was interesting in their own unique way. As they grow better as pilots and closer as friends I found my own attachment to them grow stronger. And when more than one of them goes down in combat I couldn’t help but feel the loss. I was actually quite moved by the film’s love story as well, in large part due to James Franco and Jennifer Decker’s brilliant performances and visible chemistry. It easily could have become another
Pearl Harbor, where a forced love story becomes the main focus, with war as a backdrop. However in Flyboys the war remains the constant threat and focus of the film and the love story, like everything else, is just one of many things that is drastically affected by it. Though obviously clichéd and somewhat predictable in places, the film as a whole was done well enough that none of that could detract from my enjoyment of it.

Flyboys won’t be winning any awards for its historical accuracy or most original screenplay, but the actors are great and the special effects are some of the best I have ever seen on a movie screen. Flyboys is probably one of the most exciting and fun movies I have seen all year. And judging by the reaction of the crowd I was with, who were hooting and cheering and clapping right along with me, I’m willing to bet that you’re going to feel just the same.
 

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