The Flyboys (film)

Last updated

The Flyboys
Poster of the movie The Flyboys.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRocco DeVilliers
Written byRocco DeVilliers
Jason DeVilliers
Produced byRocco DeVilliers
Dan Urness
Starring Reiley McClendon
Jesse James
Stephen Baldwin
Tom Sizemore
CinematographyJim Orr
Edited byRocco DeVilliers
Music byLisle Moore
Production
company
Dark Coast Pictures
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Dark Coast Pictures
Release date
  • August 15, 2008 (2008-08-15)(United States)
Running time
123 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.4 million

The Flyboys (released Internationally as Sky Kids) is a 2008 American aviation adventure film starring Reiley McClendon, Jesse James, Stephen Baldwin and Tom Sizemore. The Flyboys revolve around a "coming-of-age" story of two boys from a small town who find their courage tested when they accidentally stow away aboard an aircraft owned by the mob. This was the final film for actor Harrison Young, who died three years before the film was released.

Contents

Plot

In a small Arizona town, the new kid, Kyle, finds himself saving one of his classmates, Jason, from a group of bullies and they quickly become friends. Jason takes Kyle to the local airport where his uncle Ed works, and they all go on a flight. Thrilled about the adventure, they plan to meet again the next morning at the airport. On their own they check out some planes, first sitting inside a small light aircraft before Jason leads them to a mysterious hangar with a larger plane. While trying out the controls of the silver colored twin-engine airliner, the hangar doors unexpectedly open and the boys immediately hide to avoid getting in trouble. They hope that whoever it is will simply leave shortly so they hide in the rear baggage compartment but to their dismay the plane gets started and heads for takeoff. Jason sneaks a peak to see who is on board and is startled to see that one of the men has a gun. At a stopover at an unknown airport, a small bag gets placed into the boys' compartment. The plane takes off again and after a while the boys discover the bag contains a bomb. They burst into the cabin to report their discovery but are shocked to see that the plane is empty. Kyle throws the bomb out of the door while Jason gets in the cockpit to maneuver the plane away from a mountainside. Together they then manage to safely land the aircraft. The two are regarded in the news as heroes, but their troubles have now caught up to them. Jason and Kyle soon realize that they are embroiled in a criminal effort to steal millions of dollars from the mob. In the process of staying one step ahead of gangsters, they find their courage to come out on top. They are taken to a mansion where they had a gunfight with the owner Angelo Esposito. There they also meet Angelo’s brother Silvio and his partner Lenny Drake, who are secretly the two men that were in the plane. After Angelo thanks the boys for saving his plane, he orders Silvio and Lenny to take them home.

On the way, Jason speaks through Kyle’s walkie talkie which caused Lenny to hear it from the walkie talkie he took from the plane which was Jason’s and attempted to shoot them with his gun. However, he is stopped by Silvio and is forced to step out of the car. Silvio berates Lenny for his lack of intelligence and that he betrayed Angelo just for the money. Lenny shoots Silvio and starts a chase with the boys which ends with Kyle getting captured by Lenny.

Lenny orders Jason to meet him at the hangar in 15 minutes, otherwise, he would kill Kyle. When Kyle and Lenny reach the hangar, they meet Ed, and Lenny orders him to get in the plane, which Ed complies to. Jason made it to the hangar and got in the plane in the nick of time before it took off. Meanwhile, Silvio tells Angelo that Lenny shot him and thanks him for looking after him before succumbing to his injuries.

Lenny orders Ed to fly high enough for him to escape with the money. When Kyle tells Lenny that Angelo would punish him, Lenny attempts to throw Kyle out of the plane. Ed turns the plane to prevent Lenny from doing that. Lenny tries to shoot Ed, but Kyle stops him. This gives Ed enough time to beat up Lenny, while Jason takes control of the plane. When Kyle threw the gun to Ed, he and Lenny fight over it. During the fight, Kyle throws the money out of the plane, much to Lenny's frustration; Kyle suddenly slipped out of the plane. Ed beats up Lenny and tells Jason to get the parachute, and they both jump out of the plane.

Ed puts on the parachute and Jason holds on to him. Ed manages to save Kyle from falling and they land safely. Angelo then comes in a helicopter and asks if Kyle and Jason are all right, while Lenny, still on the plane, crashes into a mountain and the explosion kills him. Angelo then asks Kyle and Jason where Silvio is. When they reach Silvio, they found out he already died from his injuries. Jason returns home and his grandpa gives him one of his medals for his bravery.

Meanwhile, one of the bullies was busy fixing his car, until two of Angelo’s guards named Manny and Sal, picked him up and threatened him. Angelo gives Kyle and Jason a new plane as their wish, and they, along with Ed and Kyle's mom, Samantha, fly off into the sunset.

Cast

A Beech 18S like the one that appeared in The Flyboys. Beech Model 18 (reg N45CF) arrives Fairford 7Jul2016 arp.jpg
A Beech 18S like the one that appeared in The Flyboys.

Production

Producer, director and screenwriter Rocco DeVilliers worked with a $2.4 million budget, meagre for a major production. Including pre-production, work on the film took over seven years. Once production was complete, the film was shopped around to major studios and distributors but was not successful in making any headway. Ultimately, despite 21 wins at numerous film festivals, The Flyboys was relegated to a DVD release, re-titled as Sky Kids. Promotional efforts then centered on the new title. The film was broadcast on Sky Movies UK on August 15, 2009. It was released on DVD in the UK titled Sky Kids on May 25, 2009.

The Flyboys was filmed in parts of Southwestern Utah, mainly in Hurricane, Utah, St. George, Utah, Washington, Utah and Zion National Park. Principal photography took place at Mesquite Airport, in Clark County, Nevada, United States. The aircraft used in the film included: a Bullock Bu-180 (N145BB), [1] Beech 18S (CZ -265, N476PA), Beech A36 Bonanza, Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (N410JC), and Piper PA-34-220T Seneca III (N83878). [2] [Note 1]

Reception

In 2008, Devilliers embarked on an odyssey of film festivals all over the United States, with The Flyboys picking up 21 individual awards. A total of 14 awards were for best feature film while Steven Baldwin was also nominated for best supporting actor. [4]

Cancelled TV Series

In 2012, Dark Coast Pictures began developing a television series continuation, with Rocco DeVilliers shooting a 15-minute test-footage promo primarily in Lincoln County to pitch to networks. The series first season was planned to have 13 episodes, focusing on the main duo trying to get through high-school while also continuing their troublesome ways. Reiley McClendon and Jesse James were set to reprise their roles from the 2008 film as well as other cast and characters. It was reported that deleted and unreleased scenes and storylines shot for the 2008 film would be intertwined and featured in the series as an additional plotline to their backstory. [5] [6]

As of 2024, the planned series has never materialized.

Reiley McClendon and Ed Thomas during a test-footage scene for the cancelled series. The Flyboys TV Project.jpg
Reiley McClendon and Ed Thomas during a test-footage scene for the cancelled series.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Disneys The Kid</i> 2000 film directed by Jon Turteltaub

The Kid is a 2000 American fantasy comedy-drama film, directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Audrey Wells. The film follows a 40-year-old image consultant who is mysteriously confronted by an eight-year-old version of himself ; Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, Chi McBride, and Jean Smart also star.

<i>Buffalo Dreams</i> 2005 TV film

Buffalo Dreams is a 2005 American Western television film directed by David Jackson on Disney Channel Original Movie.

<i>Kidulthood</i> 2006 film directed by Menhaj Huda

Kidulthood is a 2006 British teen crime drama film directed by Menhaj Huda from a screenplay by Noel Clarke. It stars Aml Ameen, Red Madrell, Adam Deacon, Jaime Winstone, Femi Oyeniran, Madeleine Fairley, Cornell John, Kate Magowan, Pierre Mascolo, Rafe Spall and Nicholas Hoult. Set in the West London area Ladbroke Grove, the film follows two days of in the lives of a diverse group of teenagers, who are given the day off school following a classmate’s suicide.

<i>Eddies Million Dollar Cook-Off</i> 2003 television film by Paul Hoen

Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off is a 2003 American comedy television film directed by Paul Hoen, written by Dan Berendsen, and starring Taylor Ball, Orlando Brown, Reiley McClendon, Rose McIver, and Mark L. Taylor. It aired on Disney Channel as one of its Original Movies on July 18, 2003.

<i>Flyboys</i> (film) 2006 film by Tony Bill

Flyboys is a 2006 war drama film starring James Franco, Martin Henderson, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, David Ellison, Abdul Salis, Philip Winchester, and Tyler Labine. It was directed by Tony Bill, a pilot and aviation enthusiast, and written by Phil Sears, Blake T. Evans, and David S. Ward, with the story by Evans. Set during World War I, the film follows the enlistment, training, and combat experiences of a group of young Americans who volunteered to become fighter pilots in the Lafayette Escadrille, the 124th air squadron formed by the French in 1916. The film deals with themes of friendship, racial prejudice, revenge, and love.

<i>The Heavenly Kid</i> 1985 American film

The Heavenly Kid is a 1985 American romantic comedy fantasy film directed by Cary Medoway and starring Lewis Smith, Jason Gedrick, Jane Kaczmarek and Richard Mulligan.

Running Scared is a 1980 action/adventure film directed by Paul Glickler, starring Ken Wahl and introducing Annie McEnroe and Judge Reinhold.

<i>But Forever in My Mind</i> 1999 Italian film

But Forever in My Mind is a 1999 Italian comedy film directed by Gabriele Muccino. Its original Italian title translates into "Like you, nobody, never"

<i>The Paper Brigade</i> 1996 American film

The Paper Brigade is a 1996 adventure/comedy film directed by Blair Treu. The film stars Kyle Howard and Robert Englund. The story follows a group of small-town paperboys who band together to prevent bullies from taking over their routes.

<i>Iron Eagle on the Attack</i> 1995 American film

Iron Eagle on the Attack is a 1995 direct-to-video action film directed by Sidney J. Furie. The fourth and final installment in the Iron Eagle series, it stars Louis Gossett Jr. reprising his role once again as retired Gen. Charles "Chappy" Sinclair, who guides civilian teenagers to perform unofficial military and aerial heroics.

<i>Rainbow Boys</i> 2001 book by Alex Sánchez

Rainbow Boys is the first novel in a trilogy by Alex Sánchez, focusing on the issues gay and questioning youth face as they come of age. This book is followed by Rainbow High and Rainbow Road.

<i>Wish Upon a Star</i> 1996 television film directed by Blair Treu

Wish Upon a Star is a 1996 American fantasy comedy-drama television film directed by Blair Treu, written by Jessica Barondes, and starring Katherine Heigl and Danielle Harris. The film focuses on two teenage sisters who magically swap bodies after wishing on a shooting star. The tagline of the film is "I Wish I May, I Wish I Might, Become My Sister For A Night!".

<i>Crime in the Streets</i> 1956 film by Don Siegel

Crime in the Streets is a 1956 American crime drama film about juvenile delinquency, directed by Don Siegel and based on a television play written by Reginald Rose. The play first appeared on the Elgin Hour and was directed by Sidney Lumet.

Daddy Longlegs is a 2009 American comedy-drama film directed by Josh and Benny Safdie. It stars Ronald Bronstein, Sage Ranaldo, and Frey Ranaldo. It tells the story of a divorced projectionist and his two sons. The film had its world premiere under the title Go Get Some Rosemary in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2009. It was released in the United States on May 14, 2010.

<i>Good Luck Charlie, Its Christmas!</i> 2011 American TV series or program

Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! is a 2011 American Christmas road comedy television film directed by Arlene Sanford and written by Geoff Rodkey, based on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen. The Disney Channel Original Movie stars Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Eric Allan Kramer, and Jason Dolley as the Duncan family. It follows the Duncan family as they prepare for their Christmas trip to Amy Duncan's parents' house in Palm Springs, California. Things goes awry however when Teddy and Amy find themselves separated from their family after Teddy gives up her seat in exchange for a free plane ticket. With only a few days left until Christmas, the duo will have to face numerous obstacles as they embark on a hitchhiking journey across Utah and Nevada to get to California so they can reunite with their family in time for the holidays.

"Butterballs" is the fifth episode of the sixteenth season of the American animated sitcom South Park, and the 228th episode of the series overall. It aired on Comedy Central in the United States on April 11, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VJ Patterson</span> Soap opera character

Vincent Alexandros "VJ" Patterson, Jr. is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. VJ has been portrayed by various child actors since his introduction. Felix Dean played the role from 2007 until it was recast in 2014, and Matthew Little took over. VJ made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 30 November 2001. He is the son of Leah Patterson and Vinnie Patterson. After departing on 23 November 2017, he made a brief appearance in video footage on 5 February 2018. Little reprised the role in 2024 for Leah's wedding to Justin Morgan.

<i>Birds of Prey</i> (1973 film) 1973 American TV series or program

Birds of Prey is a 1973 television film directed by William A. Graham and starring David Janssen, Ralph Meeker, and Elayne Heilveil. The screenplay was written by Robert Boris from a story by Boris and Rupert Hitzig. It is a crime action film depicting a radio station helicopter traffic reporter who, witnessing an armored car robbery, engages in a chase when the suspects flee in a vehicle and then switch to their own get-away helicopter.

<i>The Martial Arts Kid</i> 2015 American film

The Martial Arts Kid is a 2015 martial arts film directed by Michael Baumgarten and starring Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock as a couple who take in their nephew Jansen Panettiere, and teach him martial arts when he is bullied. Most of the supporting cast of the film are actual martial artists, some of whom appear as themselves in the film.

<i>Fools Paradise</i> (2023 film) Film by Charlie Day

Fool's Paradise is a 2023 American satirical comedy film written and directed by Charlie Day in his directorial debut. The film stars Charlie Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, Jason Bateman, Common, Ray Liotta, and John Malkovich.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ The Beech 18S featured in the film was owned and flown by pilot Skip Evans. [3]

Citations

  1. ↑ "N145BB - 1982 Bullock, William B BU-180." Aircraft-Data.com, 2019. Retrieved: May 19, 2019.
  2. ↑ Santoir, Christian. "Sky Kids." Aeromovies. Retrieved: May 19, 2019.
  3. ↑ Beck 2016, p. 101.
  4. ↑ "Awards: Sky Kids (2008)." IMDB. Retrieved: May 19, 2019.
  5. ↑ Daily Astorian. Retrieved: November 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ The News Guard. Retrieved: November 19, 2024.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.