Red Tails

• Director: Anthony Hemingway
• Screenwriter/Written By: Aaron McGruder, John Ridley
• Producer: Rick McCallum
• Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Terrance Howard
• Running Time: 125 mins.
• Language: English
• Rating: PG-13

Red Tails weaves the story of black pilots in the Tuskegee training program during World War II and the injustices they faced due to the climate of segregation and racism.  Colonel A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard), commands a band of black pilots during a time when some believed blacks lacked the dexterity and intelligence to operate planes. Bullard is not only challenged with leading his men abroad during World War II, but is faced with a battle at home as well, confronting the bureaucrats threatening to end the Tuskegee pilot program. Major Emanuelle Stance (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Bullard’s second in command, is left to deal with the men’s dissention and lagging morale as they’re ordered to perform the most menial missions, in subpar planes.

The storyline alternates between the tumultuous friendship of airmen Marty ‘Easy’ Julian (Nate Parker) and Joe ‘Lightning’ Little (David Oyelowo), and Bullard’s opposition with those in Washington. Julian and Little both fight with their own personal demons on and off the ground.  Julian seems to be cracking under the pressure of leading the men in flight and attempts to relieve the pressure by drinking. Lightning has little respect for authority and tends to let his impulses lead, which often gets him in trouble.  David ‘Deke’ Watkins (Marcus T. Paulk), a fellow pilot, carries a picture of a black Jesus he often prays to for safety during flight and is occasionally teased for doing so. The image of a black Jesus is suggestive to the conditions in the United States concerning segregation and the fight for equality these men endured. During a period in time when there were separate water fountains, restrooms and schools for blacks, some even took to worshiping a separate messiah.  Clearly, a war isn’t the only battles going on within the creatively layered storyline.

Mostly well written, there were moments when dialogue felt contrived and unnatural. Certain characters suddenly appeared that seemed to have no contribution to the storyline—maybe purely for exposition— and left just as quickly as they arrived. That may be explained if they play bigger parts in the alleged prequel or sequel. As expected, when timing is of the essence, the arc of acceptance the pilots experienced came about almost instantly after their success, giving pause. Both Parker (The Great Debaters) and Oyelowo (The Last King Of Scotland), give remarkable performances, carrying an eclectic supporting cast.  The flight sequences and special effects are nearly flawless giving the audience a dynamic visual experience on the big screen with thanks to improving computer-generated imagery.

Overall, Red Tails delivers. It’s a movie that will draw the history buff, the thrill seeker and the avid movie watcher. Whatever draws you to see Red Tails, you’ll find it to be inspiring, giving light to a story deserving and overdue for the big screen.

-Franco Ford