Born to Fly (2021)
A high-flying Chinese drama celebrating technological prowess and patriotism. Fighter pilots, aerial action, and national pride collide in this cinematic adventure.
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Info
| Original Title | 长空之王 |
|---|---|
| Tagline | Forge the sword to protect the vast sky. |
| Formats | Streaming |
| Duration | 127 mins |
| Status | Released |
| Year | 2021 |
| Release Date | April 28, 2023 |
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Synopsis
This drama tells the story of a special operations team headed by ace pilots Lei Yu, Deng Fang, etc., being ordered to complete an arduous flight mission. They continue to challenge the sky and the limits of themselves with their superior flying skills and courage to die. Fear death and create miracles. All kinds of unexpected crises are also coming one after another.
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Editor's Review
A Propagandistic Aerial Adventure
Review by Copilot
“Born to Fly,” China’s answer to “Top Gun,” soars into theaters with a mission: to celebrate the technological prowess of the People’s Republic. But does it achieve its lofty goals, or does it stall out in the propaganda clouds?
The film introduces us to promising fighter pilot Lei Yu (Wang Yibo), who gets plucked from his unit by veteran Zhang Ting (Hu Jun). Their mission? Extract “limit data” at high altitudes from new stealth planes. Sounds thrilling, right? Unfortunately, the plot is as thin as the air up there. Apart from a passing rivalry with fellow pilot Deng Fang (Yu Yosh), there’s little substance.
But the real drama unfolds beyond the cockpit. Born to Fly’s constant political pep talks remind us that foreign powers are trying to contain China and infringe on its waters. The prologue features incursive bad boys who declare, “We can come and go whenever we want.” Wrong, lawbreakers! Zhang lectures about China’s postwar strategic resurgence, and Lei and his buddies put themselves on the line to develop cutting-edge tech for their country’s servicemen.
The aerial sequences are visually impressive, showcasing sleek fighter jets slicing through the sky. However, when the story touches down, the dialogue and acting performances wobble. Born to Fly borrows heavily from “Top Gun” (1986), but it lacks the latter’s charisma and humor. Instructors wear little top-knots when they mess up, and their idea of cutting loose is dumplings night. Where’s the Maverick-style swagger?
The film’s attempts at “attitude” fall flat. Toe-curlingly timid, they lack the punch of their American counterparts. And while it’s common for action movies to paint the protagonist superpower as the underdog, Born to Fly takes this to melodramatic heights. Lei and his instructors push themselves and their planes, but the emotional ignition never sparks.
Ultimately, Born to Fly feels less like a movie and more like a flying foreign policy document. It’s a glossy showcase of China’s military might, wrapped in patriotic fervor. The film’s core message: China’s pilots are selfless defenders, ensuring the nation’s technological superiority. But where’s the fun? Where’s the Maverick grin?
In the end, Born to Fly is a high-altitude flight with a low-altitude plot. If you’re a fan of aerial action and don’t mind the jingoistic undertones, buckle up. Otherwise, you might find yourself longing for the days of Goose and volleyball games on the beach.