Currently Listening Vittorio see related

First -- thanks for the birthday comments, everybody -- ya'll are the best!

I went to see Flyboys this afternoon -- the film is based on the exploits of the Lafayette Escadrille in World War I, which was made up of American fighter pilots who fought for the French prior to the United States entrance into the war. It was actually quite good (okay, I'll admit how much of a sap I am -- again -- I cried). It was interesting (and actually quite refreshing) to see a really well-done WWI movie, as that conflict tends to get overlooked by Hollywood nowadays. Flyboys is fairly intense but as far as modern war movies go (think Saving Private Ryan) the gore factor is really quite restrained. The cinematography and special effects were really quite spectacular -- especially the aerial combat sequences. They were fast-paced and intense, and incredibly well-done IMO. I'd never thought about George Lucas basing his space battles on WWI dogfights, but this movie lets you see the similarities between biplanes and x-wings as the film makes you feel like you're in the air with the pilots, dipping and swooping through the air with dizzying speed.

James Franco was quite good (as Rawlings) -- didn't have too much of the annoying pout thing he seems to be prone to going on. It is really kind of creepy how much he reminds me of James Dean. And Martin Henderson (!!!) was in this movie (aka Darcy from Bride & Prejudice). This is the first movie I've seen him in since that one, and he did a great job as the intense, war-weary fighter ace Cassidy.

And oh yes -- I loved Trevor Rabin's score! It put me in mind of the excellent score Michael Kamen wrote for Band of Brothers.

And now -- potential SPOILER ALERT: I have no idea how many liberties this film took with history. I read in some reviews that no one fighter in the movie had an exact equal in the actual Lafayette Escadrille, so all of the characters were composites. Since all of the characters are composite people, WHY OH WHY couldn't the filmmakers give Rawlings and Lucienne a happy ending??! WHY?? You let Rawlings live through the war, make it to Paris, and then he can't find Lucienne, so he just goes back to Texas to be a rancher?? I wanted MORE CLOSURE, dangit!! Grrr...

So other than my little lack of happy ending closure (*sigh*...can't have everything), I highly recommend this film. Irregardless of any liberties it took with the historical record, it opened my eyes to the dangerous conditions those first, trailblazing fighter pilots endured. I mean when their guns jammed, they had to resort to whacking it with a little hammer they kept in the plane for that purpose (along with a pistol to end their lives if they so chose if their plane caught fire and left them with the choice of burning alive or suicide). I mean these guys had nothing -- no parachute or emergency equipment, just guts and nerve.

Side note: Before the movie started, I walked into the theater and there were no lights on. No previews running, no nothing. Some guy nearly bowled me over and caused me to almost lose my popcorn!! It was kind of weird...knowing there were lots of people in that completely pitch black room and being afraid to move for fear of knocking into somebody.