Let me just start out by saying that this new poster for Red Tails kind of sucks…

I’m not going to go deep into why. I’ll simply leave it with this quick mockup of what I see in my head when I look at it…

Moving beyond that we have a new trailer that puts a huge focus on the action and spectacle of the WWII-era dog fighting. There effects do look to be pretty good, although still so persistent and overwhelming that they’re not groundbreakingly photo-real or anything.

But what this trailer is even more notable for is what it doesn’t show, and that’s much in the way of character. There’s enough dialogue and shots of humans to get across the film’s point, sell that Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard are involved, and promise an inspirational story, but even the trailer itself seems ashamed with how profoundly cheap and cheesy the film sounds. This is an important story, and I think it’s going to be quite disappointing to see it brought to life with all the artificiality and triumphant posturing of an expensive Lifetime movie. At least there’s some Bryan Cranston in it.

This flies into theaters on January 20th.

I don’t know what about this film is supposed to register as special, but perhaps it’s got you excited for one reason or another. Do tell: twitter, comments, boards.

(via Latino Review)