air force

February 4 movie: Air Force. This was really good. An ensemble piece about a bomber crew who are on their way to Hawaii when the Pearl Harbor attack happens. They stay just long enough to refuel, then are sent to Wake Island -- this time arriving just before the attack -- then on their way to the Philippines, then finally Australia.

The movie starts slow, giving you a chance to get to know the airmen during their long flight. The characters really aren't characters, just thumbnail sketches of broad types. In fact they aren't even given names in the credits, just listed by their position in the bomber crew. Which is my only criticism of a fine movie. Even without complex character development the performances are good, with subtle emotion. The battle scenes are very well done, especially a scene in the Philippines where the crew are trying desperately to repair their plane and get it airborne before the Japanese overrun their position.

There's also an air battle from the gunners' point of view which reminded me very much of a battle scene on the Millenium Falcon in Star Wars. Those big guns swiveling back and forth. In fact, now that I think about it, I remember my dad watching Star Wars with me and complaining about those guns. He said that was World War II technology and it was ridiculous to see it on a space ship. If they had hyperdrive, they would surely have guided missiles. I guess George Lucas thought it looked cool. Maybe he had seen this movie.