Saw this a few hours ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I really don't get the negativity*.
My only criticisms is that it sometimes felt all over the place, tonally. Like patchwork (although, that kinda has its charm). And that there wasn't enough flying action. There was a lot but I could've used some more.
But apart from that, it was funny, dramatic, fairly action-packed and beautifully shot. The music was also very good. I liked the somewhat modern flourishes of the score.
The acting and dialogue was suitable, all patriotic and folksy. "Lightning" was a memorable character and the catalyst for two instances of applause from the audience. I could tell the nearly packed-house was enjoying the film. Laughing at all the right parts and so forth.
*Some of my most favorite movies of the past few years have pulled 30-something percentages on RottenTomatoes.
E_CHU_TA! wrote:
I always find it churlish when a critic (or viewer) assumes that there is a very rigid definition for a "good" film. With some Red Tails reviews, critics see to insist that a high level simplistic approach to story, characters, and dialogue is inherently wrong. I guess I should stop watching and enjoying classic silent cinema. My mistake.
I'm seeing that trend as well. I'm also seeing that many critics think that this part of American history deserves a more serious, more dramatic film. But I like what GL has said about it being a film in the vein of WWII action films that weren't necessarily topical films of more thoughtful social interest. I recall GL saying that this isn't supposed to be a film about victims, which is what some critics would like it to be.
