Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag

Combining the vivid large-frame detail of IMAX film with the slick professionalism of acclaimed IMAX director Stephen Low and the striking clarity of Blu-ray's 1080p high-def image quality, Fighter Pilot offers a state-of-the-art showcase for home theaters. Adhering to the standard IMAX template, this 48-minute film presents an easy-to-follow narrative, as viewers fly along with 30-year-old Air Force Captain John “Otter” Stratton, who flies his F-15C fighter jet to Nellis Air Force Base, NV, where he joins pilots from around the world to participate in Operation Red Flag, billed as “the world's most intense simulated air combat training event.” Presenting war-game exercises involving F-15 Eagles, F-16 Aggressors, F-117 stealth fighters, B-2 stealth bombers, tank-killing A-10 “warthogs,” and a variety of other critical military aircraft, Fighter Pilot puts the viewer into the cockpit. While Red Flag “Air Boss” Maj. Robert G. Novotny monitors the action at the Nellis control base, Capt. Stratton runs the gamut of challenges in the Red Flag mission, from successful air-strikes with live ordnance to a dramatic helicopter rescue when Stratton is cast in the unenviable role of “pilot down behind enemy lines.” All of the Top Gun ingredients are here: amazing visuals (both live-action and control-room graphics), a dynamic DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack, and lots of military hardware and camaraderie. Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette. Highly recommended. [Note: this is also available in a two-disc standard DVD edition priced at $19.99.] Aud: P. (J. Shannon)