This is not going to be a review of the George Lucas-produced film “Red Tails.” Lucas’ brilliant marketing campaign has essentially rendered this movie review-proof. If you say anything negative about “Red Tails” – especially if you’re black – you are a hater who never wants to see decent films about the black experience, with all-black casts, being made. You must never, ever again complain about Tyler Perry or Madea. And – you probably hate babies and puppies, too.
So there’s little point in my snarking on the movie’s laughably cartoonish dialogue; or how the film lurches from scene to scene, with few logical transitions; or how it appears to lack the typical three-act structure of most feature films; or how its action scenes occur without surprise or suspense.
Racism in the U.S. Army is given the same simplistic treatment in “Red Tails” as in “The Help.” Once the white officers see what the Red Tails can do, they immediately treat them as equals – except for the bad bad Germans, who are determined to kill the “Africans.” Since there’s no white savior in “Red Tails,” this glossing-over of racism within the U.S. armed forces is a little less jarring than the complete whitewashing of Southern racism in “The Help,” but anyone expecting historical accuracy from “Red Tails” will be disappointed.
I could complain about the lack of character development that left me caring little about any of the Red Tails as individuals. I could say the romance between David Oyelowo’s Lightining and an Italian woman in the village where the Red Tails are stationed, lacks both chemistry and a plausible connection to the plot. I could question why the singer Ne-Yo played his character Smoky as if he were auditioning for the role of Mushmouth in the remake of the 2004 film version of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. (Note to Hollywood: another remake of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids is a bad idea.)
If I were writing an actual review, I’d note that Terrence Howard is badly miscast in the role of the squadron’s leader, Col. A. J. Bullard. First of all, Howard is too young for the part. It was jarring every time Major Stance, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., referred to Howard as “the old man,” although Gooding Jr. is clearly older than Howard. Col. Bullard’s open disrespect for his commanding officers was appalling (I found myself pulling for him to be court-martialed, or worse). No matter how noble his reasons for insubordination, the Colonel’s behavior made no sense in the context of a film that was at least partially about overcoming racism in the military. Howard would make a great movie villian – especially in films where the villian meets a satisfyingly violent demise. But he should never be cast as a hero in any film not made and screened exclusively in his own bedroom.
Honestly, though, there’s no point in highlighting the flaws in “Red Tails.” In spite of its flaws, there are valid reasons to see it – although saving black cinema isn’t one of them.
First of all, the film is mildly entertaining. “Red Tails” is a World War II heroic action movie that just happens to have black people in it. Although the marketing campaign attempted to scold black people into seeing it, the movie appears designed to appeal to universal audiences. Marketing the film almost exclusively to black audiences was both a mistake and a missed opportunity.
Second, although the movie is hardly a history lesson, it raises awareness about the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen. ”Red Tails” tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen not as the accomplishments of black heroes, but of American heroes. At a time when ugly racist stereotypes of blacks permeate our national political landscape, a movie that reminds people that American heroes come in all hues is a welcome and necessary message.
January 23rd, 2012
I’m so darn SICK of hearing about how I need to have my Tyler Perry card snatched bc I don’t want to see Red Tails. Give me a break! I saw this movie two months ago by the way in a sneak preview and knew it sucked, I certainly will NOT pay my hard earned money to do it again. Thanks for the not-review. My favorite line: “Howard would make a great movie villian – especially in films where the villian meets a satisfyingly violent demise. But he should never be cast as a hero in any film not made and screened exclusively in his own bedroom.”
Classic CE.
January 23rd, 2012
Lol! Thanks!
January 23rd, 2012
Thank you! Is it just me? I didn’t see it and I won’t, because frankly I don’t go to movies, I have no interest in this story, I wouldn’t go see Terrance Howard if he was on the front porch. If this gets me put out the club, oh well, looks like I’ll be in excellent company!
January 23rd, 2012
The film was exactly what Lucas said it would be an old fashioned, corny patriotic film that should have come out in 1942. It was black The Flying Leathenecks, nothing more. Since i went into the theatre knowing that I enjoyed it. I would rather see another film like this than any Tyler Perry movie. I hope that the prequel & sequel get funded so that the story of these brave me get even more attention.
January 23rd, 2012
In other words I should stick with “A Soldier’s Play/A Soldier’s Story?” Got it.
January 23rd, 2012
That was a good review, especially for not actually being a review
I didn’t go see the movie yet and don’t plan too. There have been too many mixed reviews and nothing that makes me feel like it’s something I just have to go see.
I think you’re the first person I’ve read who said that this shouldn’t have been marketed as a ‘black’ movie, and I agree. I think if this had just been marketed as a plain ‘ol war movie that told the story of the Airmen it would have made even more money over the weekend than it did.
January 24th, 2012
It is unfortunate that you “have no interest in this story.” The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is a riveting part of American history. I would recommend you search the Internet and learn more about these heroic men and women and what they had to overcome in order to serve their country. However, you don’t have to see Red Tails to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen – nor do you have to endure 90 minutes of Terrence Howard’s watery eyes and shaky voice to do so, either.
January 25th, 2012
I just got out of this movie, and am still in shock over how awful it was. Couldn’t agree more about the utter lack of character development, and the laughably artificial and irrelevant love story. I’ve seen better CGI on Saturday morning cartoons, and the complete disregard for the laws of physics was jarring in the extreme. Who is this no-name director, and how was he able to coax such uniformly plastic portrayals from the cast? Ugh, I want those two hours of my life back.
January 28th, 2012
I totally agree with your take on it. The dialouge was just so bad. I teach English, so at first I thought I was just being harsh, but it really was some of the worst I’ve heard in a long time. The story was really weak. Then there was Ne-Yo. But, I found the movie enjoyable, despite these glaring flaws. I guess I wasn’t expecting too much.
January 28th, 2012
I didn’t read any of the reviews before going to see the movie so I didn’t have much of an expectation which meant less of a disappointment. I did find the movie entertaining. I was moved to write my 92 year old cousin, who I never met, who is was a Tuskegee Airman. I’m hoping he calls me because I want to hear the real story.
February 1st, 2012
Glad your site’s back up. Enjoyed your take on Red Tails:-) Do you know that because I’ve been living in Italy for the past 9 year I’ve never actually seen a Tyler Perry film? Should I, um, feel bad?
Anyway, I’d like to snail-mail you a copy of my book on life in Italy; just DM me where to send it.