Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- patriotic
- uplifting
- propulsive
- historical movie night
- aviation movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the fact-based Tuskegee Airmen story worthy and the aerial combat exciting, but faulted the film's clichés, one-dimensional characters, corny dialogue, and Hollywood gloss.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Tuskegee Airmen pursue recognition and combat effectiveness despite discrimination within the wartime military.
The film uses an intentionally straightforward good-versus-evil wartime tone modeled on older Hollywood adventure films.
Extended fighter-plane combat sequences and digital aviation effects are the film's most prominent formal and production feature.
The pilots must overcome prejudice on the ground while seeking meaningful combat assignments in Italy.
Films like Red Tails, and why
The Tuskegee Airmen
shared world war ii setting, fact-based military drama, and emphasis on aerial combat
Pearl Harbor
shared world war ii aviation spectacle, heroic ensemble, and accessible patriotic tone
Memphis Belle
shared military camaraderie, combat missions, and emotionally direct world war ii storytelling
Glory
shared historical racial discrimination, military heroism, and uplifting ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Anthony Hemingway
- Release Date
- 2012-01-19
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (745)
Cast
- Bryan Cranston
- David Oyelowo
- Cuba Gooding Jr.
- Daniela Ruah
- Terrence Howard
- Andre Royo
- Robert Kazinsky
- Lee Tergesen
- Matthew Leitch
- Michael B. Jordan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Red Tails about?
- Tuskegee Airmen confront wartime racism and enemy fire in a spirited, spectacle-driven World War II aviation drama.
- What is Red Tails like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Red Tails as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Red Tails violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Red Tails as moderate.
- What did critics think of Red Tails?
- Critics broadly found the fact-based Tuskegee Airmen story worthy and the aerial combat exciting, but faulted the film's clichés, one-dimensional characters, corny dialogue, and Hollywood gloss.
- Which films are like Red Tails?
- Films with a similar feel include The Tuskegee Airmen, Pearl Harbor, Memphis Belle, and Glory.
- How long is Red Tails?
- Red Tails runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Red Tails?
- In United States, Red Tails streams on Disney Plus.
