Fighter Pilot – Operation Red Flag (2004/IMAX Blu-ray/Image Entertainment)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C+ Film: B-
Fighter Pilot – Operation Red Flag (2004) is one of a cycle of IMAX
productions that show a true love of airplanes and when they can revel in
showing off aircraft that are not available to the public and even classified
for only an elite group to use, all the better.
This one takes us to one of the top places in the world where all the
top pilots in the world converge and even practice with each other to get even
better at what they do.
Director
Stephen Low has directed some of the best IMAX films (like Super Speedway and Titanica)
and this is no exception, always taking on can’t-miss, interesting material and
mining it to maximum effect. It is what
makes stand-alone IMAX films (versus feature films being blown up to this size)
still as exciting as it was when the format first arrived. This only runs 40 minutes, but it is engaging
and makes Tony Scott’s Top Gun
(reviewed on Blu-ray elsewhere on this site) more of an antique than ever
before.
This
follows the lives of several real-life pilots and tells their stories of
becoming some of the best fliers alive, which then shifts into a tale about the
rare kind of excellence that combines the natural talent of the pilots with the
advanced technology of the planes they operate.
It also becomes a metaphor for those talented filmmakers making this
film with one of the most advanced film systems ever made. This is a key IMAX film to see.
The 1080p
1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is a little softer than it should be,
especially for a recent IMAX production or HD transfer, with close shots
looking better than the big shots that should look nothing short of
amazing. This deserves a new transfer,
but in the meantime, this is still better than a DVD or download could
deliver.
The DTS
HD Master Audio (MA) lossless 5.1 mix is also a little underwhelming and a bit
compressed, suggesting this master is second-generation when it should not
be.
Extras
include a quiz, text about the director, text links for more information, trailers
for more Image IMAX Blu-rays and behind the scenes items. For more of our IMAX Blu-ray coverage, try this
link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7886/IMAX+Blu-ray:+Coral+Reef+Adv
- Nicholas Sheffo
