DVD Review by David Blackwell
DETAILS: 140 minutes, audio commentary, trailers
VIDEO: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
AUDIO: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 5.1 DTS, French, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish
STUDIO: MGM/ Electric Entertainment/ 20th Century FOX
RELEASE DATE: 1-30-2007
World War One has always been a fascinating period to explore in film and TV. FLYBOYS explores the true story of Americans
who went to fight for the French Air Force (aka the Lafayette Escadrille) against Germany. The characters may be fictional,
but each one is based on one or more real pilots. The dogfight sequences are some of the best ever seen in any film- impressive
aerial action. The casting is top notch from James Franco to Jean Reno (it seems any Hollywood movie taking place in France
gets Jean Reno which isn't a bad thing). So what if the plot is full of cliches (the guy who charms the French girl who doesn't
know English) and stock characters (the troubled leader, the Texas boy on the run from the law, the black boxer)?! I'm just
here to enjoy the ride and the aerial action. A big plus for FLYBOYS being very historically accurate. FLYBOYS is a film to
watch again and again for the aerial action which is the best since HELL'S ANGELS and taking a look at a part of WWI that
usually isn't mentioned that much in film.
EXTRAS:
Two versions of FLYBOYS will be out on DVD. The reviewer only has the one disc version that contains a very production
and historical fact detailed audio commentary with producer Dean Devlin and director Tony Bill. Also included are trailers
for LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, THE ILLUSIONIST, COPYING BEETHOVEN, and HOME OF THE BRAVE.
FINAL ANALYSIS: FLYBOYS is a historically accurate film with impressive aerial fight scenes. Watch it now.
this review is (c)1-25-2007 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link
to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
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