Red Skies (2002)

I have just watched "Red Skies" and I really liked this pilot. The story of a special FBI squad has all the usual clichés of a martial arts police movie, but it really works. Vivian Wu is excellent in the role of a Shangai Military Police Colonel chasing a criminal in the United States of America, and the screenplay gives great lines to the lead cast. Of course "Red Skies" is not a masterpiece, but it is an excellent entertainment and I really liked it. I am not sure whether this pilot became a TV Series, but it might be a great show with such nice characters. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Céus Vermelhos" ("Red Skies")

I intended to write a full critique of this but found someone had beaten me to the draw. I agree entirely with the long essay describing characterisation, et al. I would just add that the only reason I logged in to comment was the subtle (and not so subtle) humour amongst the characters lifted this above the normal drear cop pilot shows we see from the US.I would enjoy a series based on this: a strong start with a good cast.

The movie which I found very fast moving and entertaining would make a great series. The cast quickly found a chemistry that really proved to make this a first rate action movie. The way the movie ended seem to leave it open for continuation. Any one who likes action movies should really enjoy this one. It is the kind of movie you could watch more than once.

***SLIGHT SPOILERS*** Red Skies, while the title may not tell much about what it really has to do with, should be a guideline for the entertaining, action/drama. Lately, it's hard to find many good shows that have both action, and performances by actors worth watching. You either watch one of the countless cop shows on network and cable TV, retreading the same ideas again and again, or you decide you want to see some action: the only programs available are either on, or are only worthy to be on, Saturday afternoon programming. And as entertaining as those shows can be, I've never seen one that would give the Emmy's a reason to blink when sweeping them off the ballot. And yes, this movie was not an oscar candidate, but it also wasn't really a movie. It was a pilot for an upcoming television series (that is, if this pilot scores). So, comparing it to the other pilots out there, this movie definitely gets an A.So, now that I've sung about how good this movie is, I ought to start explaining why outside a few criptic remarks.First off is the action and choreography. This was very much like watch a Woo picture. The guns fit seemlessly into the martial arts world, and the martial arts was pulled off in a way definitely not tacky. I've seen worse in big budget flicks as of late. The actors fit very well into the roles of these people who have different ways of fighting. Shawn Christiansen (main character Agent Cross) who's 180 pounds at least, doesn't fight like a 90 pound limber boy. He fights like a man with martial arts skills. And his partners each have their own deals. Vivian Wu, as Li, of course is the most graceful in the martial arts arena, since she's the "tough as nails asian cop" and martial arts perfection is a requirement there. Kadeem Hardison, Cross's partner from the start Agent Riley, is a shooter, more comfortable with the gun than the fist to fist. And Agent Nicole, done excellently by Rachel Crawford, plays the rookie who is far from sure about herself when it comes to fighting, and about goes into shock when she shoots someone for the first time. This all is so well done not only to make interesting fight scenes, without the monotonous "fire bang kick kick" that many action shows have, but character growth and exploration while battling. Not many pilots can claim that, for sure.And the best point, which I've already gone over by talking about the fights, is the characters and their interaction. Agent Cross is not someone who loves to do things by the book, but he is the responsible, authority figure of the team. He interacts and creates fusion between the members, and looks damn attractive while doing it. His partner, Agent Riley, is a man who has seen plenty and has no illusions about everything around him. He's getting his guns ready, knowing they might not be enough to save him one day, but he'll deal with that when it comes. And Agent Nicole, and brand new rookie. She's fresh out of the academy, like a kid to be babysat in Riley's mind, and in her own too. She's great with the detail work, and very insecure. She never expected anything but a whole lot of desk work. Cross explains to her in a beautifully done scene (I'm paraphrasing) "The cold war is over. We used to always win because we had more numbers. But it's not the same now. Our enemies use terrorist tactics, and the clean little lines aren't there any more." And obviously, she's not ready for those lines to dissappear. But she grows comfortable as the pilot progresses, leaving you waiting to see how else she can influence the newly formed team. And finally, there is Li. She's a chinese Colonel and the military police. She is the enemy to the people she came to america with, huddled in the back of a truck for a month. She convinced her partner to come with her to America to track a druglord, and that lead to his death. Now she's got a vengeance to take out, and a guilty conscience. All this while still chasing the drug lord, and having culture clashes with the american FBI agents she must work with.All in all, this forms together for what could be a perfect new series. I personally am just crossing my fingers to see this made into a television series on the USA network. This seems like a great addition to Alias and... well, I can't think of anything else in that same league for it to join, just a whole list of cop shows recycling the same theme and plot every other episode, despite the new "circumstances" each episode brings. Anyway, I digress. This pilot was very well done, and left me (and others) wanting much more. Please deliver, USA.