The Blue Angels aims to capture the thrilling experience of watching these iconic planes zooming in the sky and delivers a must see on the biggest screen possible. The insert of footage surrounding the family and pilots behind the iconic Blue Angels’ planes feels a bit like padding distracting from the exhilarating footage of the Blue Angels. 

The Blue Angels are an iconic staple in America’s display of pride and the new documentary, produced by pilot actor extraordinaire Glen Powell, follows the pilots behind these legendary planes as they embark on their 2022 season. The Blue Angels offers a peak behind the selection process to the intense training and the entire tour for over thirty shows across the United States as these pilots pull off what seems impossible. The selection process seems unbelievably more nerve-wracking than one could imagine with over 3700 active members and only six pilots selected for the program. The training program seems even more intense as the pilots chosen begin the physically demanding preparation to officially become Blue Angels. There’s a tormenting sequence in which we see the new pilots training in a G-force session, which leads to many of them passing out. 

The film provides personal portraits of each pilot and how they got to the Blue Angels, which at times is interesting, but comes across as padding when the runtime feels to drag and almost a commercial to join the service at times. While there is a real sense of family and bonding between the pilots and extensive support crew shown throughout the documentary, it is easy to yearn for the high-octane experience of watching the titular planes when they’re not on screen. The flight leader, Brian Kesselring, describes what they do as ‘Blue Angels magic’ and when the planes are on screen, he’s absolutely right. 

The Blue Angels is breathtaking with footage from inside the cockpit and external views from helicopters that were utilizing IMAX-certified cameras to gain unbelievable footage of the Blue Angels in their formations and in the aerial training and shows. The aerial camera unit on hand in the documentary was also behind for the flying sequences in Top Gun: Maverick. 

The flying sequences demand to see The Blue Angels on the biggest screen possible as they capture the thrilling experience of watching these iconic planes in real life. The sound of the planes washing over the audience with these incredible visuals on screen is more than enough to seek this documentary out in theaters. The training sequences are just as breathtaking as the actual aerial show the Blue Angels put on towards the end of the film due to crisp editing and Paul Crowder’s direction. 

The Blue Angels aims to capture the thrilling experience of watching these iconic planes zooming in the sky and delivers a must see on the biggest screen possible. The insert of footage surrounding the family and pilots behind the iconic Blue Angels’ planes feels a bit like padding distracting from the exhilarating footage of the Blue Angels in motion.

Grade: B-

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: None

Release Date: May 17, 2024; Streaming on Amazon Prime on May 23, 2024
Where to Watch: In IMAX Theaters