The Aviator

The Aviator - ***

"The Aviator" sees the reteaming of Martin Scorcese and Leonardo Dicaprio for the first time since 2002's "Gangs Of New York", and as such shoots for the skies. Of course, this time around it shoots far too high and nearly comes crashing to the ground as Hughes' planes did too often in the film. The movie is a partial biopic (it leaves off before the more embarassing stages) of Howard Hughes, the movie maker / playboy / airplane tycoon who made significant strides in all three areas. On one hand (and at the start), we see a struggling filmmaker who has big visions and even bigger budgets who makes the groundbreaking action film "Hell's Angels", and goes on to make "The Outlaw", as well as producing several others. In other parts of the film, we see the insatiable playboy who courts women such as Jean Harlow, Katherine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. Finally, we see that which most accutely defines Hughes; the role of aviator. Hughes' contributions to the field of aviation are impossible to count, but in general, he made the industry bigger and safer. This is an absolutely jam packed film that is full of names, dates and other information. The characterization is done in a way that would have made the obsessive compulsive Hughes proud, so much that it runs nearly 3 hours. Something about the 3rd or 4th time they've done a scene with Howard breaking down as a result of his OCD or the continued emphasis on his hearing difficulties seems condescending, as if we didn't get it the first or second time around. Still, the film looks wonderful, and DiCaprio holds up well in the lead role, even if he still does look like a child throughout the movie. A marginal thumbs up, even if the hype is ridiculously overblown.