It is a George Lucas movie (not Steven Speilberg) so that should let you know what to expect right there.

The effort went into the special effects, the planes look good and the explosions are big -- really big.

You will have no problem figuring out who the bad guys are. (its a George Lucas film again)

And the hero is a great guy who does heroic stuff (its a George Lucas film)

The special effects are great. (you get the picture by now)

Buy extra popcorn and don't think too much, you will have fun.

I could tell from the trailer that the physics were going to be wacked out. I may still rent this just to check it out though.

I enjoyed Red Tails but mostly because I went into it thinking it would be terrible. The action is often ridiculous, the characterizations are shallow (but typical Hollywood) and the dialogue is sometimes cheesy but overall the movie is enjoyable retina candy. But heed what has already been said, leave your brain at the door; otherwise you'll be asking questions like, "Weren't Me262s armed with 30mm cannons with exploding shells? Shouldn't direct hits be doing more damage to metal and flesh?"

And never mind the fact that the whole thing feels WWI. I mean from the fact the pilots recognized each other in the air just like that, even tough "Preaty Boy's" aircraft never had any distinctive markings, they always knew it was him. And they had to chasse him to find the enemies base, i think by WWII recon had that preaty much covered, attacking a airfield wasn't so much a question of knowing where they were, but getting past by CAP flight's and flak and get there only to have most planes scrambled, not that it did't happen and it didn't work, it did, and was used by eighter side on a number of ocasions, but just don't think the "where" to have been the biggest problem.
All in all it was like watching "flyboys" and bad as that was, I think it was way better.

I saw in the theaters and liked it, bought the blu-ray the day it came out. Is it as good as Battle of Britain...no but is it entertaining? heck yeah! It has the feel of some of the older WWII flying movies that came out in the 50's a la "Flying Leathernecks" or "Fighter Squadron" same cheesy and uber-patriotic dialogue, but much better dogfight sequences. Lucas mentioned that this was the feel he was aiming for and to make something that would inspire kids. If this movie inspires more minorities to get involved in aviation, then I think he succeeded.

For those that don't know there was also a companion documentary released called "Double Victory", I'd recommend checking that out as well, a lot of information about the Tuskegee Airman that really hasn't been talked about before like why the bomber group never made it overseas during the war.

I rather enjoyed "Flyboys", BTW.

Did anyone see "Red Baron", it had a decent plot, but it was no "Tora Tora Tora" either. The special effects in R.B. were over the top and it was not even a Hollywood film. But I am glad they made it and I've seen it a few times now.

I think after "Tora Tora Tora", the Hollywood community got together and decided to never ever under any circumstances make an expensive realistic and historical aviation war movie again.

Memphis Belle? Flight of the Intruder? neither were cheap and both were really good IMHO. I think we (real world pilots I'm speaking to specifically) have just become a bunch of snobs when it comes to aviation movies, we complain that there aren't enough but when one does come along, we then complain if they are 100% realistic, unfortunately we cant have it both ways..

I can't say I blame them if that was the case since Tora, Tora, Tora did lose money at the box office. However, as far as quality film-making goes, the film is first rate. It just goes to show that great film-making isn't always appreciated by the masses.

I can't dispute your point at all. After all, only a tiny percentage of movie audiences are composes of current or former pilots. Hollywood movies for the most part are made for the mainstream.

Any movie that has the line, "Foolish black man...now you will die!" cannot be taken seriously. But, as has been mentioned, Lucas wasn't going for serious. I'd rather have serious.
What I want to see is a "Band Of Brothers," or "Saving Private Ryan" style film about a 9th Air Force Thunderbolt squadron. Gritty, realistic. I don't want people coming out of the theaters thinking, "Wow, flying combat was exciting and fun back then!" I want them to think, "How the hell did they go out and do that every day?"