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Masters of the Air” ★★★½ Apple+TV (MA 15+) Series

By February 25, 2024February 26th, 2024Backstage Pass

 

Apple TV 9-Part Series, “Masters of the Air,” is a war drama centering on the actions of the 100th Bomb Group; you’ll also learn about the
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber plane. The squad is led by Gale ‘Buck’ Cleven, played by Austin Butler, the star of “Elvis,” and John’ Bucky’ Egan, Callum Turner, the star of “The Boys in the Boat.” The series follows the airmen as they are sent on dangerous missions inside Nazi Germany. Based on the book “Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany” by Donald L. Miller.

You’ll see the intense realities of war, along with the friendships that are made. Yes, the realistic horrors of war, as well as the bravery. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are the producers.

It’s been nearly a decade since executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks brought the companion series “The Pacific” to HBO, and now they present the spiritual sequel “Masters of the Air,” a nine-part series airing on Apple TV+ that proves to be a worthy third chapter in the trilogy. This is a sprawling, pulse-pounding series that is augmented with spectacular modern-day VFX but also filled with the spirit, tone, and style of old-fashioned World War II movies.

The bottom line is I’m way in three and a half stars out of four. To be clear, this series would be rated R if it were a movie. It’s for adults and is a tribute to the airmen who risked and lost their lives fighting a dangerous air war during WWII.

Sarah Knight Adamson February 18, 2024