The Aviator

I enjoyed the flight sequences in "The Aviator" more than the actual movie itself. While the movie is more the story of Howard Hughes and the turbulence of his life, it also is the history of commercial aviation and how Hollywood embraced the man who loved airplanes. The movie plays out over grand sets, nighclubs, movie premieres, flight logistics, arguments, politics, and mental illness. In short, it has something for everyone. For me, it was the all about the airplanes and the sequences were both suspenseful and grand.

I also liked the back story of the history and rivalry of TWA and Pan Am airlines. It was interesting to watch their power struggles, especially since both of those airlines have disappeared from flight.

No matter what actor you like, they're probably in this movie. Leonardo DiCaprio does a great job playing sometimes fun, sometimes disturbed, but an always driven Howard Hughes. Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale bring Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner to life. In fact, all the actors were cast just right for their roles and blended into the ensemble cast of the film. My favorite was Ian Holm's small part as the professor. (It's always good to see our Hobbit's working)

I waited so long to see "The Aviator" because by the time you add in previews, the time in the theater is 3 hours. Luckily the movie is entertaining enough that the 3 hours goes by fast. There seemed to be a lot of different camera styles and angles that I found distracting but that's just me. Like I said, it has something for everyone.