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Created Sep 01, 2013 09:41AM PST • Edited Sep 01, 2013 10:26AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines – as the phrase went back in the day. Magnificent indeed, but also jaded, troubled, and struggling with the fact that so little of them ever make it through WWI sotries alive. Aces High takes a soft-pedal (well, soft for a 70’s movie anyway) look at a France based English squadron. The film runs the gamut from boyish singing around the piano and acting silly, to clearly troubled and jaded veterans faced with trying to keep young additions alive. Although the movie has some pretty good dog-fights and action – the movie is more about the people and it does a reasonably good job at exposing the dynamics — helped along by a top notch cast.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Young Malcolm McDowell does well as the jaded older brother and reluctant protector of Peter Firth’s boyish newcomer. Throw in a quirky crew with friendly older “uncle” Christopher Plummer and troubled Simon Ward – and you’ve got an all star cast that did pretty good with a mediocre script.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Although entertaining, the movie just wasn’t biting enough. Especially given when it was made. 70’s movies were by then much harder-edged, and Jack Gold would have done much better if he had tried to pack more of a punch.

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.4

17. Sex Innocent 1.4

18. Violence Gentle 1.4

19. Rudeness Polite 1.4

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.5

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.5