Flyboys (Widescreen Edition)
starring: James Franco, Scott Hazell, Mac McDonald, Philip Winchester, Todd Boyce
directed by: Tony Bill
directed by: Tony Bill
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Movie DVD
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World War I aviation action gets an impressive digital upgrade in Flyboys, a welcome addition to the "dogfight" sub-genre that includes such previous war-in-the-air films like Hell's Angels, Wings, and The Blue Max. While those earlier films had the advantage of real and genuinely dangerous flight scenes (resulting, in some cases, in fatal accidents during production), Flyboys takes full (and safe) advantage of the digital revolution, with intensely photo-realistic recreations of WWI aircraft, authentic period structures, and CGI environments requiring a total of 850 digital effects shots, resulting in an abundance of amazing images, many of them virtually indistinguishable from reality. Unfortunately, the film's technical achievement is more impressive than its screenplay, which conventionally and predictably tells the fact-based story, set in France in 1916, of the daring young pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille, a pioneering French air-combat unit that welcomed American enlistees prior to the United States' entry into the war.
There's a familiar cliché to match every thrilling scene of aerial combat, but director Tony Bill manages to keep it all interesting, from the romance between a young American maverick (James Franco) and a pretty French girl (newcomer Jennifer Decker) to the exciting action in the air, which includes a stock variety of heroes (many of them composites of real-life WWI pilots) and an intimidating villain known only as "The Black Falcon," whose Fokker Dr-1 triplane (one of many in the film) recalls the exploits of German "ace of aces" Manfred von Richtofen, the dreaded "Red Baron" of legend. With impeccable production values that will impress even the most nit-picking aviation buffs, Flyboys (like Superman Returns and Apocalypto, also released in 2006) was also one of the first feature films to be shot with Panavision's state-of-the-art Genesis digital cameras, resulting in beautiful images that meet or exceed the visual nuance of film. Flyboys also benefits from painstaking attention to physical detail, making it easier to forgive its shortcomings as a generic and formulaic slice of romanticized history. So while some viewers may have wished for a more realistic and grown-up depiction of the Lafayette Escadrille, it's safe to say that Flyboys will be thrilling its target audience for many years to come. --Jeff Shannon
Extras from Flyboys
Beyond Flyboys
Stills from Flyboys
Movie DVD
Amazon.com:
World War I aviation action gets an impressive digital upgrade in Flyboys, a welcome addition to the "dogfight" sub-genre that includes such previous war-in-the-air films like Hell's Angels, Wings, and The Blue Max. While those earlier films had the advantage of real and genuinely dangerous flight scenes (resulting, in some cases, in fatal accidents during production), Flyboys takes full (and safe) advantage of the digital revolution, with intensely photo-realistic recreations of WWI aircraft, authentic period structures, and CGI environments requiring a total of 850 digital effects shots, resulting in an abundance of amazing images, many of them virtually indistinguishable from reality. Unfortunately, the film's technical achievement is more impressive than its screenplay, which conventionally and predictably tells the fact-based story, set in France in 1916, of the daring young pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille, a pioneering French air-combat unit that welcomed American enlistees prior to the United States' entry into the war.
There's a familiar cliché to match every thrilling scene of aerial combat, but director Tony Bill manages to keep it all interesting, from the romance between a young American maverick (James Franco) and a pretty French girl (newcomer Jennifer Decker) to the exciting action in the air, which includes a stock variety of heroes (many of them composites of real-life WWI pilots) and an intimidating villain known only as "The Black Falcon," whose Fokker Dr-1 triplane (one of many in the film) recalls the exploits of German "ace of aces" Manfred von Richtofen, the dreaded "Red Baron" of legend. With impeccable production values that will impress even the most nit-picking aviation buffs, Flyboys (like Superman Returns and Apocalypto, also released in 2006) was also one of the first feature films to be shot with Panavision's state-of-the-art Genesis digital cameras, resulting in beautiful images that meet or exceed the visual nuance of film. Flyboys also benefits from painstaking attention to physical detail, making it easier to forgive its shortcomings as a generic and formulaic slice of romanticized history. So while some viewers may have wished for a more realistic and grown-up depiction of the Lafayette Escadrille, it's safe to say that Flyboys will be thrilling its target audience for many years to come. --Jeff Shannon
Extras from Flyboys
 Director Tony Bill on Filming Dogfight Sequences |  ...On throwing away the script for pilot training |  ...On the real-life stunt pilot who stars in the film |
Beyond Flyboys
 More "War in the Sky" Films |  SPA124 Lafayette Escadrille: American Volunteer Airmen in World War 1 |  More "Military and War" Films |
Stills from Flyboys
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Coming Soon: FLYBOYS! Rated "L" for Ludicrous!
I've seen some wonderful aviation films in my time. FLYBOYS isn't one of them. Allegedly the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, it's awful for a whole raft of reasons. The MPAA Rating Board should create an "L" rating for movies as bad as this turkey.
After 250+ reviews, there's not much to say about FLYBOYS that hasn't been brought up. Having said that, I spent money on the dumb thing so I guess I have a right to speak. Actually I want to second all the critical brickbats that have ... Read More
Rating: 
- Even better than 'Top Gun'
'Flyboys' is one of the best films I have ever seen, period. I was a skeptic of the movie at first, there have been so many good war movies made already, what could this one do to top any of them? While watching however, I was pleasantly surprised by not only the acting and storyline, but the soundtrack by Trevor Rabin put this one over the top.
Also, 'Flyboys' is based on the real life adventures of the Escadrille Lafayette, created during the early years of WWI by the French to allow ... Read More
Rating: - James Franco...amazing, again.
Why James Franco doesn't get more recognition is beyond me. I compare him to a young Johnny Depp; Good-looking in a non-conventional way, slightly boyish with a little bit of a rebel in him. Again, he does an amazing job in this film. Regardless of how you feel about him, you will definitely end up rooting for his character throughout the whole film.
Not a James Franco fan? This film is still great. Based on true events, the movie truly has you on the edge of your seat the whole time. All ... Read More
Rating: 
- DON'T MISS IT
Great ww1 avation film. Story, Casting,Cinamatography all very
special. You will love this picture
Rating: - Aeronautical superiority
Flyboys is an interesting film representing the young American men and others who came to the aid of the French in war torn France during WWI against the Germans.It gives the viewer insight into the superiority of the German pilots flying abilty and their use of a bi and tri winged airplane.
As always thru sacrifice and determination our American boys succeed valiantly in perfecting their expertise at flying, dog-fighting, and shooting the opposition.
- Coming Soon: FLYBOYS! Rated "L" for Ludicrous!I've seen some wonderful aviation films in my time. FLYBOYS isn't one of them. Allegedly the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, it's awful for a whole raft of reasons. The MPAA Rating Board should create an "L" rating for movies as bad as this turkey.
After 250+ reviews, there's not much to say about FLYBOYS that hasn't been brought up. Having said that, I spent money on the dumb thing so I guess I have a right to speak. Actually I want to second all the critical brickbats that have ... Read More
- Even better than 'Top Gun''Flyboys' is one of the best films I have ever seen, period. I was a skeptic of the movie at first, there have been so many good war movies made already, what could this one do to top any of them? While watching however, I was pleasantly surprised by not only the acting and storyline, but the soundtrack by Trevor Rabin put this one over the top.
Also, 'Flyboys' is based on the real life adventures of the Escadrille Lafayette, created during the early years of WWI by the French to allow ... Read More
- James Franco...amazing, again.Why James Franco doesn't get more recognition is beyond me. I compare him to a young Johnny Depp; Good-looking in a non-conventional way, slightly boyish with a little bit of a rebel in him. Again, he does an amazing job in this film. Regardless of how you feel about him, you will definitely end up rooting for his character throughout the whole film.
Not a James Franco fan? This film is still great. Based on true events, the movie truly has you on the edge of your seat the whole time. All ... Read More
- DON'T MISS ITGreat ww1 avation film. Story, Casting,Cinamatography all very
special. You will love this picture
- Aeronautical superiorityFlyboys is an interesting film representing the young American men and others who came to the aid of the French in war torn France during WWI against the Germans.It gives the viewer insight into the superiority of the German pilots flying abilty and their use of a bi and tri winged airplane.
As always thru sacrifice and determination our American boys succeed valiantly in perfecting their expertise at flying, dog-fighting, and shooting the opposition.
