I am an avid watcher of military movies/dramas and also quite an aviation enthusiast, so when Yibo was rumoured to be starring in this movie, i was very looking forward to it. However, life has been quite busy and I forgot about it but suddenly this movie (and full version at that too!) pop up on my YT homepage!

I was pleasantly surprised by it to be quite honest. While watching the trailer quite some time ago, most of the comments on youtube was how it was a chinese remake of topgun (having seen the trailer around TG Maverick release date). However, it was nice to see that they have gone quite a different route with this. I like how they pressed on no matter how brilliant a fighter pilot is on the frontline, there are actually much sacrifice and blood goes behind the scene to deliver the aircraft at its best.

What i like:
-Commander Zhang was such a leader. He nurtures and build all these heroes bit by bit.
-Yibo was in his element. His acting is mature and almost natural in his fighter pilot role
-there are many themes that are carried out brilliantly throughout the movie. Some of them are (of course!) patriotism, maturity comes after you are humbled by failure, wingmanship, and of course, sacrifice! Theres also a little bit of a love plotline, and i like that they are very softly integrated into the storyline. The FL and Yibo’s love story was professional at its best, between 2 busy officers who are on the path towards a greater goal, but found the understanding in the middle nevertheless.
- mygod, even though it was only about 1 and 1/2 hours in, the movie can already built up quite a story behind Commander Zhang, that when he sacrificed himself for the mission, i was bawling my eyes out in solidarity with the soldiers/engineers working under his command and with him.
-the final flight test was such a drama. I was gripping my duvet intermittently in anxiety trying to will them back home. Lol
-the recording at the end of the movie was so heartbreaking but the pilot’s voice sounded so calm honestly *criesabucket
-the scene where yibo and the team make a fly by/over show above Commander Zhang’s son’s game was chef kiss. Showed such a camaraderie between the team and their appreciation for their mentor’s sacrifice.

What i have problem with:
-the opening and closing fight scenes are so fast forwardy, making them seem quite unnatural and video game-like. My expectation honestly was at 30% that this will be a good movie seeing the first fight scene. Im glad that the subsequent story after that redeemed back my attention and expectation.


All in all, for such a short movie, it was quite gripping and intense. Highly recommended watch.