Red Tails DVD Review

Red Tails DVD Review
SoHood.com Reviewed by: Michelle Thomas
Movie Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Extras Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Academy Awardr Nominee Terrence Howard lead a powerful ensemble cast in this high-flying epic inspired by the real-life adventures of the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II. Italy, 1944. As the war takes its toll on Allied forces in Europe, a squadron of black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen are finally given the chance to prove themselves in the sky even as they battle discrimination on the ground. Featuring jaw-dropping aerial action and thrilling special effects, Red Tails is a breathtaking tribute to the unsung heroes who rose above extraordinary challenges and ultimately soared into history.

Review: The thrilling true story of the Tuskegee Airmen buzzes to the big screen in this epic war adventure from executive producer George Lucas and first-time feature director Anthony Hemingway.

In the fire and chaos of World War II, the U.S. military recruits a fearless group of African-American fighter pilots to help reclaim the skies over Europe. Discriminated against both as citizens and as soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen take flight in planes distinguished by distinctive red tails, and fight to defeat the tyranny of the Axis powers. As a result of their bravery, the pilots emerge as true heroes, and prove that all men are truly created equal.

The “Red Tail Angels” were skilled pilots and fierce fights, often requested by bomber pilots, who wanted their escort to base. The Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 1500 missions between June 1943 and April 1945, many of which were as bomber escorts.

The star of the film revolves around a young pilot named Joe ‘Lightning’ Little played by David Oyelowo. He brought a swagger and sex appeal to his character; he’s the daredevil sort of like Top Gun’s Maverick but without a death wish mentality. Also he can spot a beautiful woman from the air. That lovely Italian woman our eagle-eyed lover boy spots is actress Daniela Ruah known from the successful TV Series NCIS: Los Angeles.

The overall message is that black pilots were not getting the respect that they rightfully deserved. And I’m happy that this film was made, it may not be Oscar worthy but yet it was informative and delivered a message that needed to be conveyed to the masses.

Some music artists made cameos and had a lot more lines then expected.  Rapper Method Man had several small scenes where he got a lot of lines, he played an airplane mechanic. R & B artist Ne-Yo had very small cameo appearance as a character named Smokey in which he had a “colored” conversation at the bar and it was somewhat amusing.

Overall, I recommend you guys to catch it on netflix.

Own Red Tails on Blu-ray/DVD 5/22

Bonus Features
* Double Victory: The
Tuskegee Airmen at War
* George Lucas: Executive
Producer
* Anthony Hemingway: Director
* Terence Blanchard: Composer
* The Cast of Red
Tails
* Movie Magic
* THX Media Director

About the Film

• Stars: Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston
  
• Language: English
• Number of discs:1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
  
• DVD Release Date: May 22, 2012
  
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Buy Online