I mostly heard about this film because it was being produced by Star Wars veteran and Indiana Jones creator George Lucas, but also because it was apparently based on a true story from the time it is set, and with a good cast it certainly worth a go. Basically, set in 1944, World War II, a group of African American USAAF (United States Army Air Forces) pilots in the 332d Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen, are sent to combat in Italy face racism and bureaucracy from the white military members, who are resistant and believe black people may not be equals in the face of war. The unified and integrated group consist of Captain Marty 'Easy' Julian (Nate Parker), 1st Lieutenant Joe 'Lightning' Little (The Last King of Scotland's David Oyelowo), 2nd Lieutenant Ray Gannon (Tristan Wilds) nicknamed 'Junior' or 'Ray Gun', 2nd Lieutenant Andrew 'Smokey' Salem (singer Ne-Yo) and 2nd Lieutenant Samuel 'Joker' George (Elijah Kelley), they are under the guidance Major Emanuelle Stance (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Colonel A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard). Slight conflict comes between Easy and Lightning, Easy is dabbling in alcoholism and doubts himself, while Lightning is hotheaded, reckless and takes too many risks, but he is infatuated with pretty Italian girl Sofia (Daniela Ruah), they have a very close relationship. The Tuskegee Airmen get their next mission, battling against ace German pilots, including the one they nickname 'Pretty Boy' (Lars van Riesen), they score a great number of enemy hits, including the destruction of a German airfield, but in the battle Ray Gun suffers impaired vision, he begs Easy to stay on the team, and despite concern he is allowed to continue flying. USAAF Bomber Command are impressed by the Tuskegee Airmen's performance, and they tell Bullard their next mission, the mission is accepted, with the condition of getting new North American P-51 Mustang planes, the team all paint their plane tails red and unofficially become the Red Tails, orders tell them to keep track of the German bombers, this mission too is a success, but Ray Gun is taken down and captured, and Deke nearly died in a crash landing. Deke is discharged due to his severe injuries, while Ray Gun is assumed dead, Easy blames himself for losing Ray Gun and turns to alcohol more heavily, Lightning makes a deal to be less reckless as long as his friend stays sober, and meanwhile the black pilots are respected and allowed to join the white officers, even in their "whites only" club. The group are unaware Ray Gun is in a POW (Prisoner of War) camp, and he helps in a plan to escape, this is successful, but Ray Gun forces the Germans to gain his attention to help the other POWs escape, he is again presumed dead due to this sacrifice. Lightning finally proposes to Sofia, she is first hesitant, but agrees to marry him if he will stay with her in Italy, he agrees, and next the Tuskegee Airmen are ordered to escort American bombers to attack Berlin, but they can only fly the first leg of the journey due to propaganda, the squadron supposed to take over never arrive so Easy tells the others to stay with them all the way, but then Pretty Boy and his flight come in to attack. The Germans may have more advanced planes, with better speed and fire power, but the Tuskegee Airmen manage to get a good target amount, Easy looks to be tailed and destroyed by Pretty Boy, but the villain is taken down and killed by Lightning, but Lightning himself is mortally wounded, and eventually crashes and dies. Easy tells Sofia the tragic news, and he overcomes his alcoholism once and for all, but the group are pleasantly surprised at Lightning's funeral when Ray Gun returns, and ultimately honoured when the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen for their achievements. Also starring Michael B. Jordan as Maurice Wilson, Leslie Odom Jr. as Declan 'Winky' Hall, Andre Royo as Antwan 'Coffee' Coleman, Bryan Cranston as Colonel William Mortamus, Cliff 'Method Man' Smith as Sticks, Marcus T. Paulk as David 'Deke' Watkins, Kevin Phillips as Leon 'Neon' Edwards, Lee Tergesen as Colonel Jack Tomlinson and Rupert Penry-Jones as Campbell. The acting is very good and with well known black faces there are likable characters, I agree they are and the dialogue is perhaps trying a little hard to be serious, but the in air battle, gun and explosion filled sequences are exciting accompanied by impressive special effects, it is a very worthwhile Second World War action adventure. Good!