Movie Review

The Aviator

If you?re like me and you?ve been wondering when Scorcese would return to being Scorcese, here you go. I was not a fan of Gangs of New York (C+), partly because the director?s traditional usage of hip tones, a vibrant pace, and cool cinematography were not present, and I thought it was slow and dreadfully boring (for a 160-minute film). While The Aviator is not as good as Goodfellas (B+), it?s my second favorite film of his, right behind it. Aviator?s running time is a slight burden in the later end, but as it is this film brings back the filmmaking craft that many film buffs fell in love with Scorcese for thirty years ago.

The Aviator is the story of Howard Hughes and how he took on the skies. He was also a movie director, and this film chronicles his early years in the 1920?s and on into the 1940?s. The film begins as he is working on the movie Hell?s Angels; he is a perfectionist, trying to get down to the last detail to make the piece of work brilliant. Hughes was into flying, and pursued his ultimate dream of creating a brand of aircraft that could revolutionize the world.

Leonardo DiCaprio is the one who actually created this project as an idea due to his adoration of Hughes, and Scorcese took it from there. You can really tell this is a labor of love for DiCaprio (and for Scorcese), as Leo is the one to give Jamie Foxx a run for his money for best acting. DiCaprio is in almost every scene of the film?s massive two hour and forty-five minute running time, and he maintains a level of intensity that is very impressive.

The performance surpasses his delivery in What?s Eating Gilbert Grape, the film in which many people were amazed that Leo was not (literally) mentally challenged in. DiCaprio has said that he regrets turning down the role of Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights (the role Mark Wahlberg filled), as it booted him from getting offered various offbeat roles (since he did Titanic instead). The Aviator, via his performance, makes up for that loss.

Cate Blanchett also stars as Katharine Hepburn, who gets romantically involved with Hughes despite their obvious age difference. As her character is introduced, I was amazed at Blanchett?s performance, as it is probably the best female performance I?ve seen since Ellen Burstyn in Requiem for a Dream. I have to say Blanchett?s delivery was not as awesome as the film progressed, but I was nearly slapped in the face during the film?s early stretches.

The film?s style is basically like Goodfellas meets Dr. Strangelove (B+). The tunes are kind of like Goodfellas, very classy, and they fit with scenes perfectly. I?m a huge sucker for when directors ideally attach a music tune to a scene when the cinematography is also so-very-cool, as when that happens it?s all over for me. And here, Scorcese accomplished that in many a scene.

In terms of story, it is epic in what it tries to cover (in terms of time frames) though not particularly epic in the material it presents (if that makes any sense). The premise is kind of straightforward, but it?s executed in a very elegant way via Scorcese?s direction. It?s a dominantly visual film, with elaborate sets that make it feel like you?re right there, and the cinematography is also very good. That?s not to say that it?s visually appealing but emotionally shallow (like Hero and House of Flying Daggers), but Scorcese went quite wild here technically speaking. I was involved with the film?s story throughout its duration, but the style it was captured in took it to another level.

There is a pretty good chance that Martin Scorcese will get his much-needed Oscar for directing (a la Spielberg for Schindler?s List, it seems to be his time). Whether this film will grab Best Picture as well is a question, though it?s not unlikely. With nearly ten films that have some sort of chance of getting a best film nod, I don?t think it?s obvious what will win, but this should be a major contender. And even better yet, The Aviator is a Miramax Oscar contender that will actually make my top 5 list (a big ?whoa? for me).

Lee's Grade: B
Ranked #3 of 120 between Before Sunset (#2) and We Don't Live... (#4) for 2004 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%