Watch R2B: Return to Base
- PG-13
- 2015
- 1 hr 55 min
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5.9 (1,787)
R2B: Return to Base is a spectacular action-adventure flick that takes us through the life of South Korean Air Force pilots. The movie relies heavily on CGI and action sequences that come together to create a highly entertaining fast-paced experience. The film opens by introducing us to the main character Tae-Hoon (played by Rain), who is a highly successful pilot in South Korea's Air Force. However, despite his undeniable skills, Tae-Hoon struggles with his cocky and rebellious attitude, resulting in disciplinary actions by the Air Force. His behavior often puts his co-pilots and those working on the ground at risk, making him an unpopular member of the team.
Tae-Hoon's life changes when he meets his new co-pilot, the seemingly perfect Senior Ji Seok-hyun (played by Joon-Sang Yoo). Seok-hyun is a highly respected and skilled pilot who has a reputation for being highly disciplined, professional, and respected in his unit. Their first meeting doesn't go as planned, but the two eventually manage to work together, and Tae-Hoon starts to respect and admire Seok-hyun.
Their mission begins when a North Korean fighter jet flies across the border and bombs a South Korean facility, killing dozens of people. The actions of the North Korean pilot are a clear sign of provocation, and the South Korean military decides to take action. Tae-Hoon and Seok-hyun, along with a team of pilots, are tasked with stopping the North Korean Air Force from invading South Korea's airspace.
The movie's crowning moments come in the form of the aerial dogfights between the South and North Korean fighter jets. The intensity of the CGI-laden sequences and the adrenaline rush they provoke are unmatched in any other movie. The sound effects, choreography, and camera work for these action scenes are incredibly well done, leaving viewers captivated.
Despite the excitement and heroism in the air, Tae-Hoon's attitude is still a problem. His arrogance leads him to engage in dangerous and unauthorized maneuvers, which creates havoc within his unit. His actions result in Seok-hyun getting shot down by enemy fire while trying to cover Tae-Hoon's careless mistakes.
The tension in the movie starts to mount as Tae-Hoon loses faith in himself. He then embarks on a mission to rescue his co-pilot along with a few other pilots. This mission consists of Tae-Hoon managing to get a nuclear warhead on a missile, to be launched intending to stop the enemies after they had destroyed South Korea's Southern city Busan. The mission requires him to take on the enemies alone and prove his loyalty to his team members.
Overall, R2B: Return to Base is an exhilarating movie for fans of action and aviation-related movies. The characters are well developed, and the plot progresses at an excellent pace. The CGI is top-notch, and the action sequences are breathtaking. The film also showcases the inner workings of South Korea's Air Force and the shortcomings of their discipline and training. The movie successfully manages to keep viewers engaged throughout while delivering an entertaining plot.
The cast, including Rain, Joon-Sang Yoo, and Seong-su Kim, deliver notable performances, especially during the action sequences. Their performances help add to the realism and impact of the action in the air.
In summary, R2B: Return to Base sets its self apart by its incredible action and its ability to convey the technical aspects of aerial combat in a way that is not only interesting but also understandable to the average viewer. The movie also showcases the importance of teamwork, discipline, and unity in the face of adversity. Overall, it is worth watching for any action movie enthusiast.