Red Tails Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets.
Release Date: May 22, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Red Tails centers around the struggles and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1944, during World War ll. They are a group of courageous African-American fighter pilots, with hand-me down planes and uneventful missions. They’re viewed as inferior and inadequate pilots, only because of their race. However, things dramatically change when the U.S. military finally gives them a chance to fight for our country, and help win the war. Red Tails is based on an amazing true story, with a wonderful message about overcoming racism; it’s a great educational and entertaining movie for the family!!
Talking Points:
I absolutely loved this story! The movie will spark some great parent/child conversations about segregation. In the film we saw the two races come together to defeat the enemies, and not each other.
Not only was the film exciting and educational, the characters were great. I also enjoyed the different story lines about the pilot’s relationships they encountered during the war.
The movie seemed cleaned up. It was like it was a story told by a grandfather to his grandson. This was nice and clearly made it more appropriate for children. The special effects looked like a movie from the 1960’s; this was a little strange, but refreshing as well.
As I previously mentioned I loved the story, and I liked the characters, though the acting was not good at all, which surprised me. However, my 14 year old didn’t seem to notice the poor acting, as I’m sure most kids won’t.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Lightening, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, was known as a ladies man, though things change when he meets his true love as he’s flying over a town and notices a beautiful women.
- The couple kiss, and it’s implied that they’ve had a sexual encounter.
Violent Content: Moderate
- This is a war movie, though not as graphic as most war films. We see planes being destroyed by explosions.
- Many of the pilots are shown wounded with blood and severe injuries.
- We see several characters blown up and on fire.
- Character’s fight in a bar, initiated by racial comments.
Crude and Profane Language: Moderate
- Words such as “a–,” “s–t,” “b–ch” and “d–n,” are used several times throughout the film.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
- One of the main characters has a drinking problem. We see him drinking out of a flask several times throughout the film.
- Character’s are shown drinking and smoking at an officer’s club.
Depending on the child, this is a great film for kids ages 9 and up. However, parents need to be aware of the moderate profanity, and violent scenes, (though not as violent as most war movies). This is a wonderful film that once again demonstrates the fact that all men are truly created equal.
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