Masters of the Air

Masters of the Air tells the story of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. The series focuses on pilots Gale “Buck” Cleven (Austin Butler) and John “Bucky” Egan (Callum Turner) as well as navigator Harry Crosby (Anthony Boyle) as they participate in significant aerial attacks on German bases and suffer through periods of imprisonment. It showcases the brutality of war and the misguided perceptions of the young men who go to war, often over-motivated and unaware of what awaits them.

Masters of the Air quickly establishes itself as a classic old-school WWII show, utilizing elements from past series like Band of Brothers and M*A*S*H. One of the most evident influences is the intro, which is epic and sets the appropriate tone for the episode (though it does feel a bit lengthy after a few episodes). The visuals are phenomenal, particularly the aerial scenes, which are breathtakingly good. A standout moment is the parachute scene in episode five, which is portrayed magnificently. Much praise must go to the choreography and action team, as the combat and shooting scenes in the airplanes are consistently breathtaking and leave a strong impression. At times, the battle scenes feel a bit too hectic, but this nonetheless reflects the daily reality of these airplane fighters and gunners.

Though its technical achievements are largely awe-inspiring and portray a dedication to authenticity, the script is much less impressive. It shifts between action-packed scenes and episodes with little to no action, which feels largely unsatisfying. This uneven focus ultimately detracts from the show’s impact. The action scenes are absolutely thrilling and exciting, but in the quieter moments, the characters are not compelling enough to carry the show. Although there is constant character development, it is slow and time-consuming, resulting in a decline in quality. That being said, after episode seven, the story dives deeply into the theme of imprisonment and how that impacts the characters’ sense of self. This narrative shift greatly enhances the depth of the main characters Buck and Bucky, which makes the show’s slower scenes feel more essential. However, the story deflates in intensity by the end, concluding an occasionally intense and gripping show on a somewhat lackluster note.

In terms of acting, Masters of the Air is consistently solid. The three main characters, portrayed by Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and Anthony Boyle, are well-executed and each has moments to shine. The supporting cast (including Barry Keoghan) is also good across the board. The actors aren’t given a lot of interesting material until episode 7, so there is not much I can say about their performances outside of them doing a decent job of bringing their characters to life. 

Overall, I must say that Masters of the Air is a good show that repeatedly reflects the cruelty and injustice of war. However, it is not a must-watch series. I never felt the urge to watch the next episode immediately, nor was I ever gripped by what was happening more than intermittently. Masters of the Air has many good elements but ultimately lacks the final touch to be an outstanding show. 

7/10