Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag [Blu-ray]

I saw Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag on the USS Lexington museum in Corpus Christi, TX. At first I thought it was one on the most beautiful films ever made. But, I noticed some Hollywood gimmickry was afoot. In the dogfight scene, the pursuing F-16 didn't look right. Real dogfights are probably not that interesting in that computer guided missiles are fired many miles away so the aircraft never get that close. Also, in the live fire sequences, the bombs could not be seen and the explosions were too fiery. Wouldn't the target tank (as well as the camera) be destroyed?

Still, Fighter Pilot is an interesting film best seen at an IMAX theater with loud sound.

[DW]

The documentary showed some highlights of some excellent flying by various pilots. However it did not show the abilities of different jets and pilots from different NATO countries. The actual excercise is much longer and the documentary could have covered more

The presentation both the picture and sound are top notch. We found out that not every DVD system can read the IMAX presentation.

The film is an overdramaticized, horribly acted (by real military, so I'll cut em a little slack) film that loses credibility due to visual-effects and sequential editing that are HORRENDOUS.

I never knew that when the pilot breaks left with the stick the jet spins to the right! Or that sometimes he can fly with all the instruments turned off (horrible cockpit cut scene).

Why on earth would you want to ad visual-effects (fake airplanes, fake explosions) onto an IMAX film that is supposed to bring the audience into the life and experience of a fighter pilot? It totally illegitimizes the experience.

The only part of the film I enjoyed was our hero's inital takeoff towards Nellis. Absolutely stunning view and perspective with ZERO special effects. That is what I thought IMAX films were supposed to be all about.

If you want legitimate experiences of flying, I suggest "Speed and Angels" and "Magic of Flight". Those show military aviation how they should be shown, with ZERO visual-effects that will blow you away.

Saw this with my husband who's a pilot, but I still learned a lot! 6 layers of forces for an all-out operation: AWACs, bombers, fighters, helicopters... forgot the other layers. Really impressed by the simulation of a search for a pilot shot down in enemy territory -- they showed both sides searching for him, including the other side using a tracking dog. Secure VPNs were used to coordinate communications as well as other kinds of info tech. Some of the human interest stuff were good segues and lubricants. Testosterone-saturated though this show is, it is not at all jingoistic nor does it promote the military. It clarified how some of the military budget is spent, and is informative for people who want to know about a career as a fighter pilot.

I have watched this video many times. I first saw it on the IMAX screen at the Luxor in Las Vegas. Wow, what a movie. I subsequently bought several copies of the DVD and have given them away as gifts. If you are thrilled by high performance military jets, buy this DVD. Better yet, go to an IMAX theater.