Dark Blue World

Parallel themes of honor, freedom and love run side-by-side through this World War II air war-and-amour melodrama, but the stale and flimsy romance side of the cinematic equation sends this otherwise stunning and profound combat story into an irrecoverable tailspin. A fictionalized account of heroic Czechoslovakian pilots who escaped the invading Nazis and fled to England to join the Royal Air Force, the film boasts dogfight footage worthy of Pearl Harbor; unfortunately, the two films have something else in common: a chemistry-less love triangle that usurps the plot and ruins the movie. Optional. [Note: the "Special Edition" DVD features a fine scene-specific commentary from director Jan Sverák and producer Eric Abraham; a 33-minute "making of" with production crew and cast (including Tara Fitzgerald); a seven-minute selection of visual effects shots; a three-minute "aerial symphony" clip with aerial footage set to music; and a rather tedious 10-minute photo montage. Bottom line: A solid extras package for a film that garnered mixed reviews.] (R. Blackwelder)