I almost found myself hesitant to see Red Tails, but that’s what reading mixed reviews, looking at comments, and having small debates before even seeing the film would do to you. This past weekend social media went on a marketing frenzy to support the all black cast Red Tails, which is a film about the Tuskegee airmen; first black elite flight corporation.
Those of you who don’t know, the Tuskegee airmen were black pilots that fought in World War II, and although Red Tails was based on true events, this film gave just a snippet of the segregation, trials and triumph they went through as pilots in the 1940’s. It was no history lesson but rather a classic war movie about courage, triumph, and fear. I didn’t come in expecting to learn something new about black history or critiquing whether or not the facts of the Tuskegee were accurate enough to my liking. However, I’m definitely going to give George Lucas of Lucasfilm all the credit for picking up this film when no one else would because we do need to keep all black films and actors in Hollywood whether it be George Lucas or even Tyler Perry.
I’m not the biggest fan of action movies, war or combat, but having Andrew McGruder (Creator of Boondocks) as one of the writers gave the screenplay a soft edge. I was on the tip of my seat during the battle scenes and I felt a since of pride after every victory of the red tails. One of the four main actors that stood out to me was Nate Parker “Easy”. He was the captain of the team and a also drunk. In one scene he was going to give up on leading the pack after injuring two of his airmen, but after Terrance Howard gave that cheesey “Never Give Up” speech he flew the Red Tails to victory. I got it but it could’ve been more.
Yeah, Lucas didn’t spend a lot of time perfecting the dogfight scenes or the sentimental moments, and sure he could’ve cropped out the love interest, and not to mention the dialogue was corny cough cough Ne-Yo , but I am happy I went to support the movie and the purpose of Red Tails for me was expected. I encourage everyone to go see it and help it’s box office sells, then you can be a movie critic later =)
Reesa Speaks 