El elenco de voces incluye a Beyoncé y a su hija. © Disney
Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler y póster de “Mufasa: El Rey León”, la nueva película, la precuela de animación fotorrealista del remake de la película de 1994 “El Rey León”, que se estrenó en 2019.
En “Mufasa: El Rey León”, Rafiki debe transmitir la leyenda de Mufasa a la joven cachorro de león Kiara, hija de Simba y Nala, con Timón y Pumba aportando su estilo característico. La historia se cuenta en flashbacks y presenta a Mufasa como un cachorro huérfano, perdido y solo hasta que conoce a un simpático león llamado Taka, heredero de un linaje real. Este encuentro fortuito pone en marcha el viaje de un extraordinario grupo de inadaptados que buscan su destino y sus lazos se pondrán a prueba mientras trabajan juntos para escapar de un enemigo amenazador y letal.
Las voces que dan...
Ya se ha publicado el primer tráiler y póster de “Mufasa: El Rey León”, la nueva película, la precuela de animación fotorrealista del remake de la película de 1994 “El Rey León”, que se estrenó en 2019.
En “Mufasa: El Rey León”, Rafiki debe transmitir la leyenda de Mufasa a la joven cachorro de león Kiara, hija de Simba y Nala, con Timón y Pumba aportando su estilo característico. La historia se cuenta en flashbacks y presenta a Mufasa como un cachorro huérfano, perdido y solo hasta que conoce a un simpático león llamado Taka, heredero de un linaje real. Este encuentro fortuito pone en marcha el viaje de un extraordinario grupo de inadaptados que buscan su destino y sus lazos se pondrán a prueba mientras trabajan juntos para escapar de un enemigo amenazador y letal.
Las voces que dan...
- 5/2/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
The Lion King is, as everyone knows, one of the most beloved Disney animated features. A true classic, the movie is considered to be one of Disney’s best animated movies. Back in 2019, Disney produced a live-action CGI remake of The Lion King, which turned out to be a solid success for the House of the Mouse, and we know a prequel, titled Mufasa: The Lion King, will premiere in cinemas on December 20, 2024, as an early Christmas gift for all fans. We have recently reported that the first teaser trailer for the movie was shown at this year’s CinemaCon, and we are happy to report that the trailer is finally out and that we will bring it to you here.
We know that the upcoming movie is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, but details have been scarce until today, when the trailer was finally released and we can...
We know that the upcoming movie is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, but details have been scarce until today, when the trailer was finally released and we can...
- 4/29/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
The first teaser trailer for Disney’s “The Lion King” prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” ended with a surprise reveal. The upcoming photo-real live-action animated feature, directed by “Moonlight” Oscar winner Barry Jenkins, will feature new music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Emmy Award-, Grammy Award-, and Tony Award-winning artist who is one Oscar away from becoming a member of the Egot club.
“Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. ‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it,” Miranda said in a statement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t...
“Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. ‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it,” Miranda said in a statement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t...
- 4/29/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Barry Jenkins’ “The Lion King” prequel has unveiled its first footage.
Following Jenkins’ appearance at the Disney panel at CinemaCon, the story of the unlikely rise of the titular king of the Pride Lands comes to life. “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki (John Kani) to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick.
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny.
The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Kagiso Lediga, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James,...
Following Jenkins’ appearance at the Disney panel at CinemaCon, the story of the unlikely rise of the titular king of the Pride Lands comes to life. “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki (John Kani) to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) lending their signature schtick.
Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny.
The cast also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Kagiso Lediga, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Mufasa: The Lion King – © 2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Disney unveiled a first look at “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the new film coming to theaters Dec. 20 that explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Announced this morning is an all-star roster of talent bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life—plus,...
Disney unveiled a first look at “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the new film coming to theaters Dec. 20 that explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Announced this morning is an all-star roster of talent bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life—plus,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Circle of Life begins for Mufasa, the famous King of Pride Rock. Here, we are introduced to him as a lion cub. The official synopsis from Disney reads, “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.”
New and returning cast members were called on to lend their voices to the film:
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with...
New and returning cast members were called on to lend their voices to the film:
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with...
- 4/29/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Disney on Monday released the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, the music-filled film serves as both an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King. That film was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic of the same name.
Along with the trailer release, it was revealed that Blue Ivy Carter will make her film debut voicing Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala, while her mother, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, will reprise her role as Nala from the 2019 film.
The new film, which hits theaters Dec. 20, will tell the backstory of Simba’s father, Mufasa, an orphan who grew up to be a wise, powerful and compassionate ruler.
The official logline is as follows: “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, the music-filled film serves as both an origin story and follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic movie The Lion King. That film was based on the 1994 Disney animated classic of the same name.
Along with the trailer release, it was revealed that Blue Ivy Carter will make her film debut voicing Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala, while her mother, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, will reprise her role as Nala from the 2019 film.
The new film, which hits theaters Dec. 20, will tell the backstory of Simba’s father, Mufasa, an orphan who grew up to be a wise, powerful and compassionate ruler.
The official logline is as follows: “Mufasa: The Lion King enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick.
- 4/29/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney unveiled a first look at Mufasa: The Lion King, the new film coming to theaters on December 20 that explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
Announced this morning is an all-star roster of talent bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life—plus, celebrated award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs produced by Mark Mancina and Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.
Said Miranda, “Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years.
“‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life,...
Announced this morning is an all-star roster of talent bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life—plus, celebrated award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs produced by Mark Mancina and Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.
Said Miranda, “Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years.
“‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Ah, Love Actually. It’s the convoluted Christmas movie of choice for many of us year after year, and we love it despite its many flaws, which have only grown in number as we’ve become more aware of things like the Bechdel test, how unfunny fat jokes are and that not all relationships are between heterosexual white people.
As romcoms go, Love Actually is certainly ambitious, telling nine different stories over the course of two hours, which makes it even more unbelievable that Richard Curtis originally wanted there to be a whopping fourteen storylines.
The ones that made the cut range from the slightly icky to full-blown swoon fests, so let’s rank them to find out which is the most romantic Love Actually storyline:
9. Harry, Karen and Mia
There is no romance here at all. Not in the way Harry (Alan Rickman) takes his brilliant wife Karen (Emma Thompson...
As romcoms go, Love Actually is certainly ambitious, telling nine different stories over the course of two hours, which makes it even more unbelievable that Richard Curtis originally wanted there to be a whopping fourteen storylines.
The ones that made the cut range from the slightly icky to full-blown swoon fests, so let’s rank them to find out which is the most romantic Love Actually storyline:
9. Harry, Karen and Mia
There is no romance here at all. Not in the way Harry (Alan Rickman) takes his brilliant wife Karen (Emma Thompson...
- 12/2/2022
- by Lauravickersgreen
- Den of Geek
Love may actually be all around, but it was mostly a white Christmas when it came to 2003 rom-com “Love Actually.”
Writer-director Richard Curtis reflected on the beloved classic film, saying the lack of diversity makes him “feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid” two decades later.
“There are things you’d change but, thank God, society is changing, so my film is bound, in some moments, to feel out of date,” Curtis said in a interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC’s 20th-anniversary special “The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later” (via Entertainment Weekly).
Curtis continued, “The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid. You know, I think there are sort of three plots that have sort of bosses and people who work for them.”
The film focused on 10 separate love stories, with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Alan Rickman,...
Writer-director Richard Curtis reflected on the beloved classic film, saying the lack of diversity makes him “feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid” two decades later.
“There are things you’d change but, thank God, society is changing, so my film is bound, in some moments, to feel out of date,” Curtis said in a interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC’s 20th-anniversary special “The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later” (via Entertainment Weekly).
Curtis continued, “The lack of diversity makes me feel uncomfortable and a bit stupid. You know, I think there are sort of three plots that have sort of bosses and people who work for them.”
The film focused on 10 separate love stories, with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Alan Rickman,...
- 11/30/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Love Actually” persists.
A number of cast members from the beloved holiday classic are reuniting nearly two decades later. “Love Actually” premiered in Nov. 2003 but started its creative process the year prior. A one-hour reunion special titled “The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later” is set for late November courtesy of ABC News.
Read More: Keira Knightley Has Never Rewatched ‘Love Actually’: ‘It’s Just Very Odd Watching Films That You’re In’
Stars Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson, plus director Richard Curtis will appear for the reunion. More stars are being teased, including a message from Martin McCutcheon, who portrayed Natalie.
“The special will also examine how the Covid-19 pandemic refocused the ways we love and connect and the omnipresent acts of kindness inside our families and communities,” a press release explains.
Read More: ‘Love Actually’ Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster ‘Hated,...
A number of cast members from the beloved holiday classic are reuniting nearly two decades later. “Love Actually” premiered in Nov. 2003 but started its creative process the year prior. A one-hour reunion special titled “The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later” is set for late November courtesy of ABC News.
Read More: Keira Knightley Has Never Rewatched ‘Love Actually’: ‘It’s Just Very Odd Watching Films That You’re In’
Stars Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Olivia Olson, plus director Richard Curtis will appear for the reunion. More stars are being teased, including a message from Martin McCutcheon, who portrayed Natalie.
“The special will also examine how the Covid-19 pandemic refocused the ways we love and connect and the omnipresent acts of kindness inside our families and communities,” a press release explains.
Read More: ‘Love Actually’ Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster ‘Hated,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Shakiel Mahjouri
- ET Canada
Amazon is doubling down on The Wheel of Time.
The streamer has renewed the fantasy series for a second season ahead of the launch of the show. It comes as production has wrapped on season one in the Czech Republic.
It is the latest market in a long road for the adaptation of Robert Jordan’s books, which has been in development in one form or another for 20 years and that Amazon ordered to series in October 2018. Like many series, production of the drama was also hit by the pandemic.
The Wheel of Time, set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it, is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television and comes from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Chuck writer Rafe Judkins, who is showrunner and exec producer.
It stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization...
The streamer has renewed the fantasy series for a second season ahead of the launch of the show. It comes as production has wrapped on season one in the Czech Republic.
It is the latest market in a long road for the adaptation of Robert Jordan’s books, which has been in development in one form or another for 20 years and that Amazon ordered to series in October 2018. Like many series, production of the drama was also hit by the pandemic.
The Wheel of Time, set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women can use it, is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television and comes from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Chuck writer Rafe Judkins, who is showrunner and exec producer.
It stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organization...
- 5/20/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sophie Okonedo and David Harewood's will likely be the more recognizable names of the announced cast for the upcoming BBC Radio 4/Radio 4 Extra adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Lenny Henry's popular BBC sci-fi mini-series Neverwhere. In addition to lead actor James McAvoy, Okonedo and Harewood will be joined by fellow heavy-hitters Benedict Cumberbatch, George Harris, Don Gilet, and Abdul Salis. Neverwhere's story revolves around Londoner Richard Mayhew, whose life as he knows it ends swiftly -- and somewhat unexpectedly -- when he tries to help a hapless stranger and immediately ceases to exist in the mortal world, joining the citizens of London Below. Co-creator...
- 11/30/2012
- by Emmanuel Akitobi
- ShadowAndAct
"Flyboys" is a decidedly old-fashioned war film that reaches for epic sweep but is often bogged down in cliched drama and two-dimensional characters. The "new kind of heroes" at the center of this World War I saga are the daring American volunteers who fought for France in fragile biplanes a mere decade after the birth of powered flight. Director Tony Bill and his colleagues bring a meticulous attention to detail to a heartfelt tribute that stubbornly fails to find an emotional pulse. Older audiences and history buffs will spark to the film, and its impressive dogfight scenes might be worth the price of admission for some, but an extended boxoffice flight seems less certain.
Romantic derring-do is the essence of the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the France-based squadron of American pilots who, for various reasons, put their lives on the line to fight the Germans before the U.S. entered World War I. "Flyboys" opens in 1916 as a new group of young volunteers reports to Capt. Thenault (Jean Reno, whose understated performance provides the most moving moments) for two months of training at a chateau in the French countryside.
James Franco stars as Blaine Rawlings, an orphaned Texas boy whose family ranch has been foreclosed and who is inspired by newsreels to volunteer in the European war. He joins an assortment of types, all based on real individuals but never quite springing to full-blooded life. There's the poor rich boy trying to prove himself to his cold father (Tyler Labine), the conflicted scion of a Nebraska military family (Philip Winchester), the son of a former slave who is making a name for himself as a boxer in France's more racially tolerant society (Abdul Salis) and a wiseguy who has trouble hitting targets and arouses suspicions (David Ellison, a leading aerobatic pilot).
Their squadron leader is the slighter older -- though not yet 30 -- Cassidy (Martin Henderson), an American ace who has a pet lion and 20 kills to his name. A loner who wears his experience like a shell, he offers the film's most direct commentary on the futility of war. It's personal with him, the goal being to avenge his friends' deaths by picking off German aces. Before putting them through their paces in the Nieuport 17, France's newest fighter biplane, he tells the fresh-faced boys that their life expectancy is six weeks.
Using actual WWI planes, re-creations, models and CGI effects, director Bill -- himself a pilot -- and cinematographer Henry Braham create a handful of well-executed aerial battles against the superior German triplanes and, in one instance, a zeppelin. "Flyboys" makes vividly clear how exhilarating this world above the brutal trenches was, and how dangerous. To modern eyes, the most innovative technology of the time looks shockingly primitive. The men who used it were all but unprotected and flew without parachutes; their contingency plan in case of an impending crash consisted of a self-inflicted pistol shot.
Franco ("Spider-Man", "James Dean") is a charismatic anchor for the story, and his language-barrier scenes with French newcomer Jennifer Decker, as local girl Lucienne, have a charm and energy that are otherwise lacking in the film's nonbattle sequences. Lucienne is raising her brother's children, their parents killed by strafing. The poignancy of her romance with Rawlings is underscored in the film's epilogue, which has more emotional impact than much of what precedes it.
To its credit, the script by Phil Sears, Blake Evans and David Ward avoids anachronisms and is faithful to a bygone sensibility. But too often it makes characters state their feelings in on-the-nose dialogue, much as Trevor Rabin's insistent score goes for the obvious musical statement. Shot in England, the good-looking film boasts convincing, unfussy production and costume design.
Romantic derring-do is the essence of the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the France-based squadron of American pilots who, for various reasons, put their lives on the line to fight the Germans before the U.S. entered World War I. "Flyboys" opens in 1916 as a new group of young volunteers reports to Capt. Thenault (Jean Reno, whose understated performance provides the most moving moments) for two months of training at a chateau in the French countryside.
James Franco stars as Blaine Rawlings, an orphaned Texas boy whose family ranch has been foreclosed and who is inspired by newsreels to volunteer in the European war. He joins an assortment of types, all based on real individuals but never quite springing to full-blooded life. There's the poor rich boy trying to prove himself to his cold father (Tyler Labine), the conflicted scion of a Nebraska military family (Philip Winchester), the son of a former slave who is making a name for himself as a boxer in France's more racially tolerant society (Abdul Salis) and a wiseguy who has trouble hitting targets and arouses suspicions (David Ellison, a leading aerobatic pilot).
Their squadron leader is the slighter older -- though not yet 30 -- Cassidy (Martin Henderson), an American ace who has a pet lion and 20 kills to his name. A loner who wears his experience like a shell, he offers the film's most direct commentary on the futility of war. It's personal with him, the goal being to avenge his friends' deaths by picking off German aces. Before putting them through their paces in the Nieuport 17, France's newest fighter biplane, he tells the fresh-faced boys that their life expectancy is six weeks.
Using actual WWI planes, re-creations, models and CGI effects, director Bill -- himself a pilot -- and cinematographer Henry Braham create a handful of well-executed aerial battles against the superior German triplanes and, in one instance, a zeppelin. "Flyboys" makes vividly clear how exhilarating this world above the brutal trenches was, and how dangerous. To modern eyes, the most innovative technology of the time looks shockingly primitive. The men who used it were all but unprotected and flew without parachutes; their contingency plan in case of an impending crash consisted of a self-inflicted pistol shot.
Franco ("Spider-Man", "James Dean") is a charismatic anchor for the story, and his language-barrier scenes with French newcomer Jennifer Decker, as local girl Lucienne, have a charm and energy that are otherwise lacking in the film's nonbattle sequences. Lucienne is raising her brother's children, their parents killed by strafing. The poignancy of her romance with Rawlings is underscored in the film's epilogue, which has more emotional impact than much of what precedes it.
To its credit, the script by Phil Sears, Blake Evans and David Ward avoids anachronisms and is faithful to a bygone sensibility. But too often it makes characters state their feelings in on-the-nose dialogue, much as Trevor Rabin's insistent score goes for the obvious musical statement. Shot in England, the good-looking film boasts convincing, unfussy production and costume design.
- 10/9/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Flyboys is a decidedly old-fashioned war film that reaches for epic sweep but is often bogged down in cliched drama and two-dimensional characters. The "new kind of heroes" at the center of this World War I saga are the daring American volunteers who fought for France in fragile biplanes a mere decade after the birth of powered flight. Director Tony Bill and his colleagues bring a meticulous attention to detail to a heartfelt tribute that stubbornly fails to find an emotional pulse. Older audiences and history buffs will spark to the film, and its impressive dogfight scenes might be worth the price of admission for some, but an extended boxoffice flight seems less certain.
Romantic derring-do is the essence of the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the France-based squadron of American pilots who, for various reasons, put their lives on the line to fight the Germans before the U.S. entered World War I. Flyboys opens in 1916 as a new group of young volunteers reports to Capt. Thenault (Jean Reno, whose understated performance provides the most moving moments) for two months of training at a chateau in the French countryside.
James Franco stars as Blaine Rawlings, an orphaned Texas boy whose family ranch has been foreclosed and who is inspired by newsreels to volunteer in the European war. He joins an assortment of types, all based on real individuals but never quite springing to full-blooded life. There's the poor rich boy trying to prove himself to his cold father (Tyler Labine), the conflicted scion of a Nebraska military family (Philip Winchester), the son of a former slave who is making a name for himself as a boxer in France's more racially tolerant society (Abdul Salis) and a wiseguy who has trouble hitting targets and arouses suspicions (David Ellison, a leading aerobatic pilot).
Their squadron leader is the slighter older -- though not yet 30 -- Cassidy (Martin Henderson), an American ace who has a pet lion and 20 kills to his name. A loner who wears his experience like a shell, he offers the film's most direct commentary on the futility of war. It's personal with him, the goal being to avenge his friends' deaths by picking off German aces. Before putting them through their paces in the Nieuport 17, France's newest fighter biplane, he tells the fresh-faced boys that their life expectancy is six weeks.
Using actual WWI planes, re-creations, models and CGI effects, director Bill -- himself a pilot -- and cinematographer Henry Braham create a handful of well-executed aerial battles against the superior German triplanes and, in one instance, a zeppelin. Flyboys makes vividly clear how exhilarating this world above the brutal trenches was, and how dangerous. To modern eyes, the most innovative technology of the time looks shockingly primitive. The men who used it were all but unprotected and flew without parachutes; their contingency plan in case of an impending crash consisted of a self-inflicted pistol shot.
Franco (Spider-Man, James Dean) is a charismatic anchor for the story, and his language-barrier scenes with French newcomer Jennifer Decker, as local girl Lucienne, have a charm and energy that are otherwise lacking in the film's nonbattle sequences. Lucienne is raising her brother's children, their parents killed by strafing. The poignancy of her romance with Rawlings is underscored in the film's epilogue, which has more emotional impact than much of what precedes it.
To its credit, the script by Phil Sears, Blake Evans and David Ward avoids anachronisms and is faithful to a bygone sensibility. But too often it makes characters state their feelings in on-the-nose dialogue, much as Trevor Rabin's insistent score goes for the obvious musical statement. Shot in England, the good-looking film boasts convincing, unfussy production and costume design.
FLYBOYS
MGM
Electric Entertainment in association with Skydance Prods. and Ingenious Film Partners
Credits:
Director: Tony Bill
Screenwriters: Phil Sears, Blake Evans, David Ward
Producers: Dean Devlin, Marc Frydman
Executive producer: Phillip Goldfarb
Director of photography: Henry Braham
Production designer: Charles Wood
Music: Trevor Rabin
Co-producers: Marc Roskin, Kearie Peak
Costume designer: Nic Ede
Editors: Chris Blunden, Ron Rosen
Aerial unit coordinator: Ray Hanna
Visual effects supervisor: Mark Franco
Cast:
Blaine Rawlings: James Franco
Reed Cassidy: Martin Henderson
Eddie Beagle: David Ellison
Lucienne: Jennifer Decker
Capt. Thenault: Jean Reno
William Jensen: Philip Winchester
Briggs Lowry: Tyler Labine
Eugene Skinner: Abdul Salis
Lt. Giroux: Augustin Legrand
Running time -- 139 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Romantic derring-do is the essence of the story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the France-based squadron of American pilots who, for various reasons, put their lives on the line to fight the Germans before the U.S. entered World War I. Flyboys opens in 1916 as a new group of young volunteers reports to Capt. Thenault (Jean Reno, whose understated performance provides the most moving moments) for two months of training at a chateau in the French countryside.
James Franco stars as Blaine Rawlings, an orphaned Texas boy whose family ranch has been foreclosed and who is inspired by newsreels to volunteer in the European war. He joins an assortment of types, all based on real individuals but never quite springing to full-blooded life. There's the poor rich boy trying to prove himself to his cold father (Tyler Labine), the conflicted scion of a Nebraska military family (Philip Winchester), the son of a former slave who is making a name for himself as a boxer in France's more racially tolerant society (Abdul Salis) and a wiseguy who has trouble hitting targets and arouses suspicions (David Ellison, a leading aerobatic pilot).
Their squadron leader is the slighter older -- though not yet 30 -- Cassidy (Martin Henderson), an American ace who has a pet lion and 20 kills to his name. A loner who wears his experience like a shell, he offers the film's most direct commentary on the futility of war. It's personal with him, the goal being to avenge his friends' deaths by picking off German aces. Before putting them through their paces in the Nieuport 17, France's newest fighter biplane, he tells the fresh-faced boys that their life expectancy is six weeks.
Using actual WWI planes, re-creations, models and CGI effects, director Bill -- himself a pilot -- and cinematographer Henry Braham create a handful of well-executed aerial battles against the superior German triplanes and, in one instance, a zeppelin. Flyboys makes vividly clear how exhilarating this world above the brutal trenches was, and how dangerous. To modern eyes, the most innovative technology of the time looks shockingly primitive. The men who used it were all but unprotected and flew without parachutes; their contingency plan in case of an impending crash consisted of a self-inflicted pistol shot.
Franco (Spider-Man, James Dean) is a charismatic anchor for the story, and his language-barrier scenes with French newcomer Jennifer Decker, as local girl Lucienne, have a charm and energy that are otherwise lacking in the film's nonbattle sequences. Lucienne is raising her brother's children, their parents killed by strafing. The poignancy of her romance with Rawlings is underscored in the film's epilogue, which has more emotional impact than much of what precedes it.
To its credit, the script by Phil Sears, Blake Evans and David Ward avoids anachronisms and is faithful to a bygone sensibility. But too often it makes characters state their feelings in on-the-nose dialogue, much as Trevor Rabin's insistent score goes for the obvious musical statement. Shot in England, the good-looking film boasts convincing, unfussy production and costume design.
FLYBOYS
MGM
Electric Entertainment in association with Skydance Prods. and Ingenious Film Partners
Credits:
Director: Tony Bill
Screenwriters: Phil Sears, Blake Evans, David Ward
Producers: Dean Devlin, Marc Frydman
Executive producer: Phillip Goldfarb
Director of photography: Henry Braham
Production designer: Charles Wood
Music: Trevor Rabin
Co-producers: Marc Roskin, Kearie Peak
Costume designer: Nic Ede
Editors: Chris Blunden, Ron Rosen
Aerial unit coordinator: Ray Hanna
Visual effects supervisor: Mark Franco
Cast:
Blaine Rawlings: James Franco
Reed Cassidy: Martin Henderson
Eddie Beagle: David Ellison
Lucienne: Jennifer Decker
Capt. Thenault: Jean Reno
William Jensen: Philip Winchester
Briggs Lowry: Tyler Labine
Eugene Skinner: Abdul Salis
Lt. Giroux: Augustin Legrand
Running time -- 139 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 9/22/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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