When the dust settles and cooler heads prevail, some might consider Devotion to be the better of the two major Navy aviator movies released in 2022. Not to take anything away from Top Gun: Maverick, which is gobs of crowd-pleasing fun. But itâs essentially a high-concept thrill ride that owes as much to Star Wars as it does to the original Top Gun (in some ways, itâs practically a remake).
Devotion features similarly spectacular aerial sequences - mostly accomplished through practical special effects - which put the viewer right in the cockpit while buzzing over the terrain at dangerously low altitudes, close-quarter dogfights or flying through barrages of enemy fire. The film even throws in Glen Powell, fresh from his cartoon douchebaggery in Top Gun: Maverick, only this time his character feels like a real guy. Probably because he is.
It tells the true story of Ensign Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors) and Lt. Tom Hudner (Powell), two pilots who are part of a squadron serving on-board an aircraft carrier at the beginning of the Korean War. Hudnerâs the congenial new guy, while Brown is more guarded and cynical, largely due to the racism heâs experienced throughout most of his military career. We see some of that racism first hand, but Brownâs since learned to internalize his anger and turn the other cheek, so heâs concerned when Hudner feels repeatedly compelled to defend him against others. Still, the two develop a close friendship based on trust.
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"Two more payments and this baby's all mine." |
Anchored by solid performances from Powell and Majors (whoâs been really busy lately), Devotion isnât always exciting or âfunâ, but its heart is in the right place. Though perhaps a tad too long, the film is affecting, looks great - especially in 4K - and features great attention to period detail. So don't be surprised if it sticks with some of you longer than that other Navy pilot movie.
EXTRA KIBBLES
FEATURETTES - âThe Aviation of a Forgotten Warâ; âThe Legacy of Jesse Brownâ
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