The Aviator (2004)

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Blistering performances.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Howard Hughes early filmmaking years as owner of RKO studios but mostly focuses on his role in designing and promoting new aircraft. Hughes was a risk-taker spending several fortunes on designing experimental aircraft and eventually founding TWA as a rival to Pan AM airlines owned by his rival Juan Trippe. The Aviator is a fun and very good looking Martin Scorsese - Leonardo DiCaprio movie although it's far from being their best work together the film has enough energy, fire and Leo's charm that does the job quite right even despite flaws. (7.5/10)

You can't go wrong with Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. These two men are gifted artists and living legends of cinema. The Aviator is probably their least exciting duo. Films like Shutter Island, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street are some of the best of the 21st century and are consistently gripping and explosive, while films like The Aviator and Gangs of New York are more subtle in their execution. DiCaprio, as always, is terrific in his portrayal of Howard Hughes. He doesn't just read his lines and try to mimic the real-life figure, but he engrosses himself in his performance. Scorsese does a good job direction g the film, but this one isn't one of his best in the long run. Goodfellas will always be number one, and compared to other hits, The Aviator isn't much to remember. it's a well-made, one-time see kind of film that drags out for an astonishingly long time and doesn't leave you wowed or engrossed for for. Nonetheless, you'll be reined for the entire three Horus that your viewing the work of two masters.

Martin Scorsese's films all have a distinctive style and tone to them so it's always been nice to see him change things up a bit and while this most certainly has hints of his style The Aviator was a nice departure from his usually films and I can honestly say that I enjoyed this film though it's not without its flaws. Easily the best thing about this film is the central performance of Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, DiCaprio just brings a presence to Hughes making him very charismatic yet charming, his character is never dull to watch and it's always interesting to watch. Mainly because his breakdown into near insanity is so well done, its built up slowly across the films run-time so that when that pivotal moment where he loses his mind it feels merited. If I'm honest I've never been the biggest fan of Cate Blanchett but I can honestly say that I thought she was excellent in this movie, not only was her character just extremely entertaining she had such good chemistry with DiCaprio and her romance with him joint with their gradual parting is done perfectly. The Aviator it set from the mid 30s to the late 40s and the production design joint along with the Costume Design are immaculate, it sucks you right into this period. The actual aviation scenes themselves sequences themselves are very well done, the green screen is completely convincing and they're built up just right so that we understand just how much they mean to Hughes. However if I'm honest while this film is far to well acted and executed to be bad I do think this film is a little overrated. For one while the central character is developed perfectly and given good and clear motivations for his actions the other characters in this film have very little reasoning behind their actions so when they start their attacks against Hughes they don't feel earned and this makes this entire arc fall a bit flat. Another thing this film doesn't do very well is make you feel much sympathy for Hughes, because he's such an unlikable character it doesn't really make you care that much that he has so much at stake. However after this arc finishes I enjoyed the final act and DiCaprios haunting last "The Way of The Future" monologue was extremely haunting that did make me feel sympathy for him unlike the previous act of the film. I do like The Aviator, both DiCaprio and Blanchett are both amazing in this film, it's a fantastic period piece but ultimately where it succeeds with its central character it ultimately fails with the Supporting making for a lot of this film coming of as unsatisfactory. But it's definitely a good film and would recommend it to any fan of Scorsese's work. 72%/B

The Story of Aviator Howard Hughes.Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale.Written by John Logan.Directed by Martin Scorsese.I can see why this movie has won so many Oscars. It has all the right ingredients. Great acting, great cinematography, great photography and it is undeniably and unreservedly a Martin Scorsese movie with all of his trademark style and artistry. It's one hell of a production which I'm sure had the Oscar Nominations Board purring and salivating non-stop round the clock.It is fascinating and it is an interesting watch but for me it's too long and a little bit boring. Just because a movie wins lots of Oscars doesn't necessarily mean it's an exciting movie and this fits into that category. It reminded me of Citizen Kane and I'd go as far as saying that it's basically the same kind of thing produced for a more modern audience. And that movie was pretty boring too.This is a film I can appreciate on many levels but it's lacking a decent hook and a good dollop of excitement.7.5/10 for the acting and production values.