Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Review
Director: Matt Wilcox
Date Created: 2025-05-23 20:14
4
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Review: Director Matt Wilcox, this documentary is a bird’s eye view of the world-renowned U.S. Air Force flight team, the Thunderbirds. Praised by no fewer than Barack and Michelle Obama, who serve as executive producers, this cinematically stunning documentary is an unprecedented look into the Operational Colour Guard. At 1 hour and 13 minutes, the film takes viewers aboard and into the lives of the best pilots making these high-speed, high-stakes air shows possible. From demanding training sessions to poignant personal stories, this movie is not about jets — it’s about the flesh-and-blood pilots flying them.
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Review
When I started the documentary I was expecting a typical military show complete with patriotic bluster and flashy aircraft, but what I got instead was so much more human and powerful. The show caught me off guard at how human and realistic it was. Sure, there is no denying that it definitely does have a proud, “Made in America” taste, but only half of it. It’s superior to waving flags. It’s coming at the phenomenal discipline, tension, and brotherhood required to fly F-16 combat fighter jets inches off each other’s tails, flying faster than 600 mph.
I begin with the best part, the flying. The air scenes were shot so wonderfully. I’ve heard about fighter planes before on television, but nothing is as close as actual cockpit shots taken here. It is rather like sitting beside the pilot, going the other way, pushing outrageous G-forces. Not for showbiz thrills — stunts demand total focus and physical stamina. And I have to say, this section of the documentary was my favourite as well.
Another thing that caught my attention was the amount of practice and stress the pilots have to endure. It’s not a question of climbing into a jet and taking off. It’s all rehearsed, coordinated, and reviewed to the smallest detail. Screw one wrong move and you’re on the ground — both grounded and aloft. And with new, green recruits being rotated in and out every season, there is always the issue of accommodating and working together. There’s always that cord of esprit, and you can feel the tension as they strive towards certification — that ultimate stamp of approval that proclaims they’re okay to fly in front of thousands.
Not everything in Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds hit the mark for me. The show attempts to delve into the pilots’ private lives, but I did feel that aspect was a bit off-kilter. Much attention is given to the squadron chief, of course, since leadership is such a large aspect of something like this. But I would’ve liked to have heard more from some of the newer or lesser-heard voices. All the pilots do have some fantastic stories, and their paths to the cockpit likely are just as captivating. A missed chance to hear those softer voices.
Also Read: Fear Street: Prom Queen Review: The Bloody Legacy of the Franchise Deserves Better
All of that aside, the film does a very good job of reminding us of these not being “jet jockeys” in life. These are people who are human who have been trained to do what they’re doing and give up much to be doing so — time with their families, a regular routine, even plain comfort. There’s this really powerful moment where one of the pilots is describing missing huge milestones in their hometowns on the road with the team. It’s a fleeting moment, but it made them real to me. They’re not superheroes — they’re ordinary people with real emotions and hard choices.
One of the bonuses of the documentary is the production. From the graphics used to depict flying manoeuvres to the sound effects, all are of good quality and properly done. It’s too easy to track even if you’re not an aeroplane enthusiast. I appreciated that they were not bombarding us with military speak. They broke it down simply and kept it light and fun to look at — even for someone like me, who knew nothing about the Thunderbirds before watching.
Netflix Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Review: Summing Up
Overall, the Air Force Elite Thunderbirds is not for everyone. Unless you’re a militaristic programming or documentary fan with a dash of patriotic flavour, then you won’t be interested in this. It’s definitely a good watch if you want to know more about the Thunderbirds and how they fly on muscle, but that muscle is a function of how much they trust one another — and of how hard they work at keeping each other safe in the air.
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds documentary is now streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Fountain of Youth Review: Fun but Familiar Adventure
