Flyboys
By Cynthia Fuchs,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
WWI pilots make like heroes in bland adventure.

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Based on 2 parent reviews
Nice!
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YOU ARE CLEAR FOR TAKE-OFF!!!
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What's the Story?
Set in 1916, before the United States entered World War I, Tony Bill's movie focuses on young American men who go to France to join the Lafayette Escadrille. Texas rancher Blaine Rawlings (James Franco), frustrated at the loss of his parents' land to the bank, heads to Europe so he can put his flair for cowboying and earnest energy to use piloting one of the brand new "flying machines." Blaine's fellow trainees include Briggs (Tyler Labine), who enlists in order to prove his worth to his wealthy snob of a father; William (Philip Winchester), a cavalry officer's son who wants to continue his family's military tradition; and Eugene (Abdul Salis), a black expatriate boxer who wants to defend France, where the people actually treat him like an equal. All are instructed by the very patient Capt. Georges Thenault (Jean Reno).
Is It Any Good?
A romantic paean to World War I -- the so-called "Last Gentleman's War" -- FLYBOYS features plenty of midair action in small, open-cockpit biplanes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of World War I, which introduced planes as weapons and vehicles of warfare. How do the American flyers help the French cause before the United States enters the war? Why did the United States finally decide to get involved in the war? How has warfare changed since WWI? What is the movie's ultimate message about war?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 22, 2006
- On DVD or streaming: January 30, 2007
- Cast: James Franco, Jean Reno, Martin Henderson
- Director: Tony Bill
- Studio: MGM/UA
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 139 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: for war action violence and some sexual content.
- Last updated: January 1, 2023
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