Red Tails

The Tuskegee Airmen—African-American men known for their impressive aerial fights, courage, strength and perseverance against all odds. This movie takes us through the lives, the trials, and the tribulations of the men known as the “Red Tails.”

As I sat alone in the theater, I couldn’t help but enjoy watching the lives of many of the Tuskegee Airmen. I wish I could say that I could actually sympathize with what these men were going through, but I couldn’t. However, as the movie progressed I felt I got to know these characters a little better—and what they stood for. They fought against the odds. They fought against discrimination, color, race, all of it. They did what they loved, and fought for what was worth fighting for. This movie helped me come to that realization. From a cinematic perspective, some of the acting needed a little work, just a little. The special effects were unbelievable, to say the least. The music was good, although my only objection with it was that it was too soft for most of the film.

Objectionable material

“Red Tails” contains quite a bit of objectionable material that I feel is worth mentioning, before I recommend anyone seeing this film…

Violence: This movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of war violence, and rightly so. There are multiple scenes of planes being shot out of the sky, explosions, etc. There are also a couple scenes where we see dead bodies on the ground. Lastly, there is a brief bar fight scene.

Profanity: Heavy. I counted two instances of G** D**n, Jesus’ name is taken in vain twice, God’s name three times, “d**n” (17), “sh*t” (5), “a**” (6), “h*ll” (19), “son of a b***h” (3), and “bull sh*t” (1). The terms “b***rds,” “jerrys,” “negros” and the n-word are used. One person mentions to a pilot that he will make him “wear his balls as a necktie.” One pilot tells another pilot, as they are flying, that “she was worth it” (implying, I believe, that he had sex with her).

Sex/Nudity: Mild to Moderate. There are three passionate kisses between one of the characters and an Italian woman. There is a scene where it is implied that one of the pilots slept with an Italian woman (she is seen in her nightgown, he is seen with his shirt off).

I think the main theme that we can take away from a movie like “Red Tails” is the evils of racism. Racism has existed in this country for hundreds of years. God, however, does not look at a person by the color of his skin, his nationality, etc. We are told, by the Bible, not to judge others. 1 Corinthians 4:5 states,

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God” (New International Version).

I commend Anthony Hemingway for his direction of “Red Tails.” If you are looking for a film with a ton of action, such as “Mission: Impossible,” this may not be it. However, “Red Tails” takes us through the lives of the Tuskegee Airmen and their importance to U.S. history. In short, “Red Tails” is definitely a film worth seeing. However, I can only cautiously recommend it to teens and adults because of the heavy amounts of violence, profanity, and brief sexuality.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Mild to moderate

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Negative
• Young people