For a film director who made his début film in 1968, an important year in the recent history of France, Gérard Pirès has covered a lot of ground before embarking on the direction of a film which would bolster the image of France as a nation which is always at the forefront of technology. 'Les Chevaliers du Ciel' is the film in question which gave a major boost to both France as a nation of high tech inventions as well as a country which produces films which can easily compete with big brother Hollywood's films. Based on a work by famous comic book writer Albert Uderzo, 'Sky Fighters' has its own comic book moments when two tough air force pilots are shown bantering with other colleagues during a party. They also happen to share some cool chemistry with daredevil women pilots who don't mind learning some flight techniques from them. These are some moments of comic relief in an action film which strikes a fine balance between its dramatic scenes and fights in the skies. For this 11th feature film, director Gérard Pirès has made good use of France's reputation as world's important creator of fighter planes as the action starts during an air show and end during 14th July parade in Paris. A lot of valuable ground is covered between these two events which involves the intervention of French Air Force to protect its interests. As director Gérard Pirès has created a mature film about pilots and their incessant combats in the sky, it is quite likely that comparisons would be made with its American counterpart 'Top Gun'. However, audiences need to be reminded that both films are different as they deal with different stories filmed at different times and places.

The comics adaptation isn't a trademark of the US, because French cinema is also filming French comics. Originally, the idea of this movie comes from 60s-70s comics called "The adventures of Tanguy & Laverdure". Never read one paperback so I can't tell if it's better or worse, but knowing that the characters are not called Tanguy & Laverdure, the omen aren't encouraging.

Indeed, the movie is a disappointment.

The story isn't interesting, because too much linear & predictable. The knights are better than excellent, the bad guys are very bad, the woman (greatly played by Miss Pailhas: OK, I admit: I'm a fan!) tries to be assertive in a men's world but finally succumbs to the Knight charm; all this wrapped in a military, terrorist two Euros-cents drama....

If only the flying shots were great: Sure, they are: the first ones: after you have see 5 minutes, the following 90 are the same! Maybe I am rude, but the more depressing fact is that for a modern movie helped by the official French air force, the planes, the military bases, the outfits, well everything seems old, far-fetched: in fact, imported from the era of the original comics. Even "Top Gun" filmed 20 years ago is in advance.

In conclusion, if this movie reflects the actual situation of the French air force, well, being French, I feel a bit insecure....

The film deals about a pair braves pilots, a young studs, on the ground and in the air, the captain Antoine Walk Marchelli(Benoit Maginel) and captain Fahrenheit(Clovis Cornillac),both commanding a Mirage fighter jets. They're assigned to locate an aircraft flying behind a commercial plane. The rare aircraft shots and the Marchelli's jet spontaneously shot, saving his pal. Meanwhile the French High Command orders recruiting pilots team with his American counterparts, a women pilots, on a flight missions. However captain Antoine is accused and dismissed from the Air Force, being forced to work in commercial aviation. But they return to Air Force on a secret mission. They fly to Middle East in order to vanquish American F-14 Fighter, but they are been taken prisoners.

This is a overwhelming comic-book with suspense, dogfighting with spectacular flight scenes and some commercial elements, like the catching music . Full of French jingoist ideals, dubious ethics and crack fighter pilots . The film moves like a supersonic bullet for most of its running time and the last generation Jets steal the show. Contrived beyond belief with spectacular dogfights that play like video games, but slickly calculated to please 2000s audiences. The movie follows the wake of ¨Top Gun, Iron Eagle I and sequels¨. Agreeable casting, though unknown, exception to Benoit Maginel with various success(Crimson Rivers 2, Flower of evil, Nest and Piano player) and Phippe Torreton(Captain Conan, Cursed monarchy, All starts today) as Bertrand. The motion picture is professionally directed by Gerad Pires, a director and writer with wide and long career since the 70s(Agression),until today(Riders, Taxi). Rating : Acceptable and passable, no boring , but is quite entertaining.