by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
Depending on the plot, I enjoy a war drama here and there. The stories can be overwhelming and intense, but I want to know about history and what the world has gone through. So AppleTV+ released a nine-episodic war drama limited series, Masters of the Air, executive produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, who worked together on 2001’s Band of Brothers and 2010’s miniseries, The Pacific. In a way, you can look at Masters of the Air as a companion series.
Set during World War II, the series recounts the stories of the 100th Bomb Group’s experiences during missions in German-occupied Europe, while also portraying the intensity of the war, the dangers the soldiers dealt with, and the camaraderie and relationships developed throughout.
The series doesn’t focus on fighting and explicit violence, but on the soldiers’ everyday lives. They try to have a somewhat normal life whenever there’s time to hang out, go into town, meet a pretty girl, and grab a drink, but they’re always called out to fight, not knowing if they’ll make it back after a mission. We get a chance to see everyone’s human side. These men and women are trying to live everyday lives, but the war has become their new normal. The characters are well executed and memorable.
Austin Butler, who can’t shake his Elvis voice, and Callum Turner are the main leads, Major Gale Cleven and Major John Egan, two best friends and two of the best pilots in the 100th. Butler and Turner carry the series on their backs. They lead their boys on every mission — they’re determined to fight to get everyone back, or to die trying. They have the charisma to hold the camera. It’s wild that even during the war, they’re still good-looking.
The cast, which includes Barry Keoghan; Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa; Spielberg’s son, Sawyer Spielberg; and Jude Law’s son, Rafferty Law, perform superbly, and are nothing short of exceptional. Even when an actor or two pop up on the screen, they still bring their A-game.
Even with the greatness of the cast, the aerial scenes will still grab your attention. You feel as if you’re in the cockpit as you watch the bombers and fighter planes in the sky, taking on the Nazis in throngs. The aerial shots are intense and authentic, especially as someone who doesn’t like to fly. The planes don’t look like they were slapped on a green screen, and every drop, dive, and maneuver looks genuine.
I just wasn’t prepared for how bloody this show would be. The scenes are throughout the series, but if you are squeamish, proceed cautiously. I understand why the 100th was nicknamed “the Bloody 100th.”
The standout episode is “Part Eight,” in which Captain Crosby (Anthony Boyle) works for three days straight, trying to plan 200 air missions. The soldiers aren’t the only ones with a job; there are also the men and women who help the airmen get through the missions as safely as possible. Crosby pushes himself to the point of no return, where he passes out and sleeps through D-Day. Even after passing out, he thinks he still has a job, but nothing else to worry about. Also, we are introduced to the Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th Fighter Squadron. The introduction is excellent, and as I hoped for more with their story.
Masters of the Air feels familiar to me, as if I’ve seen this story before. But I haven’t. This series could’ve delved more deeply, but there wasn’t any reason to keep dragging out a story if it wasn’t necessary.
Rating: Liked It
Masters of the Air is currently streaming on Apple TV+
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