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Born to Fly
长空之王
2023 127 min China 12+
★6.5
Action, Drama
Director: Xiaoshi Liu
Trailers
Description
A talented trainee pilot is given the opportunity to virtually test the latest fighter jet, which pushes him to his limits.
US Gross:
$277,011
Worldwide:
$80.5M
Starring
Yibo Wang
Actor
Jun Hu
Actor
Yosh Yu
Actor
Awards
14 wins & 14 nominations total
Key opinion
Born to Fly is a visually polished aviation drama that highlights the rigorous dedication of test pilots, earning praise for its technical ambition and aerial cinematography. While many viewers appreciate its focus on professionalism and national pride, others find the narrative hampered by overt patriotic messaging and occasional lapses in logical storytelling.
| Cinematography | The aerial cinematography provides a professional, high-quality showcase of modern jet technology and expansive landscapes. | |
| Acting | The lead performances, particularly Wang Yibo's portrayal of Lei Yu, successfully anchor the protagonist's growth from an arrogant recruit to a disciplined test pilot. | |
| Screenplay | The film functions primarily as an aviation-focused drama that maintains a lean approach to romantic subplots, favoring technical detail and professional relationships. | |
| Culture | Opinions on the film's ideological tone are split; some view it as a sincere, heart-felt tribute to national sacrifice, while others perceive it as overt and exhausting state propaganda. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative's internal logic is divisive; enthusiasts of aviation realism applaud the focus on technical detail, while others point to unrealistic plot contrivances and incoherent crash sequences that break immersion. |