Flyboys (Widescreen Edition)

James Franco stars in this exciting movie based on the true story of the Lafayette Escadrille, a group of American pilots flying for the French in the early days of World war I.Franco portrays Blaine Rawlings, a young rancher from Texas who's family ranch has just been repossessed. While watching a movie at the local moviehouse, he sees a newsreel about pilots fighting in Europe. He decides to enlist with the French Lafayette Escadrille and battle the Germans. Soon, Rawlings and fellow pilots William Jensen (Philip Winchester), Lyle Porter (Michael Jibson), Eddie Beagle (David Ellison), Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis), and Briggs Lowry (Tyler Labine) are on their way to France. All have come from different backgrounds and circumstances, but they all share one common goal; to fight and defeat the Germans.Upon arriving in France, they are met by Capt. Thenault (Jean Reno). It's Thenault's job to train the American pilots proper tactics in order to battle the Germans. There are already some American pilots in France. One is Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson). He has become one of the best pilots in the Lafayette Escadrille, already having shot down over twenty German aircraft. The lead pilot for the Germans is the menacing Black Falcon (Gunnar Winbergh) and his group of skilled pilots. All of the Germans fly the famed Fokker triplane, painted blood-red. All except the Falcon's, who's is jet black.After completing their training, the Americans are finally ready to take to the skies and do battle with the Germans. During the course of the movie, there are several thrilling aerial combat sequences between the Americans and Germans, especially the sequence where the Germans send a zeppelin to bomb Paris. Relationships develop among the pilots as well. Rawlings becomes the de facto leader of the group, and many of the other pilots look to him for support and advice. Rawlings has also developed a relationship with a local French girl named Lucienne (Jennifer Decker). She bandaged Rawlings' leg after a flying accident, and he became attracted to her. However, she can't speak English and he can't speak French. But the language barrier can't hide the feelings between the two.The missions become more and more dangerous for the Americans, and soon, some of the pilots are lost in combat. But the Americans keep going up to fight it out with the Germans despite their lack of experience. Their will to fight and courage is unquestioned as these heroic men continue to do battle with the enemy.This is an outstanding movie. The story of the famed Lafayette Escadrille is told with complete historical accuracy. The acting, especially by James Franco and Jean Reno, is excellent. The plot is well-conceived, and the amazing aerial combat sequences are the highlight of the film. The romance between Rawlings and Lucienne his handled wonderfully. It does not become so out of control as to take over the movie. Rather, it is allowed to grow at a slower pace that holds the viewer's interest.I give this great movie my highest recommendation. History fans will enjoy it for its great combat sequences and attention to detail. Laypersons will enjoy the romance between Rawlings and Lucienne. Watch "Flyboys" and see how a group of inexperienced American pilots became one of the most feared squadrons of World War I.

Its a great movie

The movie I ordered was good, no problems.

True Story as well as a good Movie. You will enjoy it.

Impressive is the realistic romance that was portrayed for that time in history with our hero the cowboy (James Franco) and the french girl (Jennifer Decker). This reminded me of a book i read by Vera Brittain the "Testament of Youth" of how innocent and cavalier this generation was at that time. Her most intimate memory of a man she loved was the warmth of his hand she felt through her gloved hand was similar to the courtship in this movie. For the sake of being a pilot and doing flight simulation with aircraft i'll never get to fly this is a time period movie i enjoyed as much since the film "The Blue Max" for the romance of flying has been a real treat to see the souls that pioneered in the Great War with aircraft that are agile as a ballerina but fragile as a butterfly when handled. This being maneovers that involve piroettes because of the slower speeds compared to jets that generally use a 5 mile turning radius. Jet fighters that are built to handle at least 10 times the weight in horizontal or vertical turns the World War I fighter could easily rip apart it's canvas fabric or wooden structure is shown in the flying sequences. The french Nieuport is very pleasing to the eye as the fine figure for a woman. The vertical tail looks as if the french flag was hung off the end with the corners edges rounded off just as also the german Fokker's horizontal tail is shaped like a falcon's is a treasure trove to visualize in this film. I greatly appreciation that the director took to explain and portray these men and flying machines during this era how they were both utilized. It is my regret that not many people saw this film in the theater to care and understand the spirit of adventure that parallels or own lives.

'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 volunteer American pilots to fight even though the U.S. had not entered the war. The fact that every character in this film was real makes it hit home. You really become attached to each of the main characters as they struggle to live and fight honorably in a war with very little purpose behind it.'Flyboys' is the first 'modern' era film to attempt a portrayal of this particular story, and it does an AMAZING job. The effects, particularly the dogfights, are epic, and as mentioned, Trevor Rabin's soundtrack compliments the movie perfectly. The film summarizes itself succinctly during the opening titles..."Though the airplane was only recently invented, it was quickly adapted for war. The young men who flew them became the first fighter pilots, and a new kind of hero was born..."This movie is a must have for any cinema enthusiast or history buff, and spring an extra couple of bucks for the collector's edition, it comes with some neat postcards.

The movie is good, but the DVD was unfortunately faulty and froze an hour and a half into watching. Had to return the DVD