Red Tails

This is my first blog entry of 2012. It’s been a minute, but let’s get into it!

I dig the fact that someone like George Lucas would take time out to make a movie about the Tuskegee Airmen. I appreciate the historical value of the film. I think The Airmen’s story is one worthy of telling again and again. I believed so much in this movie. I wanted to be the first to say I supported this film.

Having said all that, I am disturbed by how much I DID NOT like this movie! I walked into the theater full of pride and hope. I left deflated and frustrated. I know I am going to catch some heat because most people feel like I am “supposed” to like this movie. Is that the same way I am supposed to feel about all “Black” movies? Even that Tyler Perry crap? Don’t get me started on that…

Anyway, to me, the movie was forced, rushed and poorly edited. The cast was an odd ball group of one dimensional characters. The dialogue was down right corny and full of cliches. Time and time again, there were underwhelming character build-ups with overly melodramatic moments. Given the rich history of the Airmen, this film comes off as dis-jointed and pieced together by bubble gum.

Mr. Lucas, God bless you for hiring half of Detroit to play roles in this movie. Of all the Negros in this film, why am I only able to name five of them?! I’m sure the mothers of Tyrone and ‘em are pleased to see their babies on the big screen. I’m glad these dudes can now pay their rent for a couple months. But where are the A-list actors you’d expect to see in a film of this caliber? Where was Denzel,  Fishburne, Cheadle, Freeman, Idris, Forest, Sam Jackson, Blair Underwood, Ving Rhames, Taye Diggs, Mr. Chestnut?! Hell I would’ve been happy to see Mario Van Peebles in this flick!

Speaking of the casting, whose idea was it to cast Ne-Yo as the comic relief? What’s funny about Ne-Yo…besides his hairline? And while we are on the topic of “not funny“, I was disturbed by the attempted humor surrounding one character’s belief in “Black Jesus.” He kept referring to “Black Jesus” like there is some other Jesus. The alternate universe Jesus. The one sent from Heaven to cure all that ails the Negro population. Cuz clearly “White Jesus” has better things to do for more important *cough* White people. I’m not gonna go off on another rant, but you know, like I know Jesus was not blue-eyed with blond hair. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

What I did find laughable in this movie was how Cuba Gooding, Jr kept referring to Terrence Howard as “the old man.” Are you serious?! Have you seen Cuba lately? Dude is in desperate need of some Botox in his life!

Despite how I feel about this film, let’s not the forget the honor and valor the Tuskegee Airmen displayed during World War II. This film is a testament to their struggles. It’s my understanding that this movie is 25 years in the making. I just wish it didn’t feel as if it was thrown together in 25 days! In my opinion, this film sputters on the runway and never really takes flight.

Agree? Disagree? Don’t give a baby’s fat bottom? Leave a comment. Share your thoughts.

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