We tell you what «Devyataev» turned out to be, a film about the famous Soviet fighter pilot.

On April 29, a new film by Timur Bekmambetov «Devyataev» hits the screens, shot in tandem with debutant director-cameraman Sergei Trofimov and based on the biography of Soviet pilot Mikhail Devyataev. The creators of the film took on a difficult task — to tell about an incredible feat, long unrecognized by the Soviet authorities, but to do it in the most dynamic form for a mass audience, long spoiled by spectacular blockbusters. Whether they succeeded or not, let's figure it out.

Escape

In the summer of 1944, Soviet fighter pilot Mikhail Devyataev (Pavel Priluchny) is captured by the Germans. There, as an experienced soldier who understands complex machinery, he is offered to side with Germany or spend the rest of his days in a concentration camp. But he chooses a third option — to hijack a plane and return home, making an incredible escape from a secret airbase.

Based on this description and watching the trailer, one might think this is «T-34» with planes instead of tanks. But these comparisons are hardly appropriate, as «Devyataev» is more about people than about technology and the associated action, and the escape itself takes up a small part of the screen time. Moreover, the filmmakers did not miss the opportunity to take a jab at the box office hit starring Alexander Petrov.

Another issue is that «Devyataev», as a representative of the escape film genre, offers viewers absolutely nothing new. The hero faces a problem, comes up with a solution, finds like-minded people (this is not superheroics where everything can be done alone), the «brilliant» plan does not work immediately, and so on down the list. Everything is very schematic, very predictable. Moreover, the authors tell the story as a kind of flashback, so you immediately know that Devyataev will eventually return home, even if you are not aware of the real story of the Soviet hero.

One of Us Among Strangers

To the credit of Timur Bekmambetov and his team, they tried to enrich the script with additional plot lines. The main one, of course, is the confrontation between Devyataev and Larin (Pavel Chinarev), former friends who ended up on opposite sides of the barricades. It is this personal conflict that makes the film much more individual and interesting.

But even here there are rough edges that could easily have been smoothed out. Devyataev and Larin are shown as best friends, but... only in words. The viewer is simply asked to believe that the guys have known each other for a long time and their families are close. A couple of joint scenes and heartfelt conversations would have made the characters more alive and their conflict more emotional. But no, instead we have an antagonist with unconvincing motivation and a protagonist you reluctantly sympathize with because his behavior seems more justified from a moral standpoint. No emotional contradictions, no interpersonal tension here, alas. Although the actors are quite convincing and authentic in their roles.

Technical Aspects

«Devyataev» is very good as a dashing blockbuster about aviation. There are cool aerial shots and scenes that, in terms of dynamics and tension, easily outshine human passions. As soon as the film takes off from the ground, it becomes almost beautiful.

And as good as the film is from a cinematographic point of view, it is equally terrible in terms of the composer's work and sound production. Inappropriate pathos in orchestral sketches, ruining the emotionality of individual episodes, not a single memorable melody, poorly recorded dialogues, half of which you cannot make out even with a hearing aid, modest sound editing — these are just a few of the technical problems that are really annoying while watching.

Is It Worth Watching the Film «Devyataev»?

Bekmambetov's work turned out naive and predictable, but shot spectacularly and dynamically. The actors do a decent job, even though the material they have is not very convincing. But the most important thing is that the creators' message is very correct. After all, heroes like Mikhail Devyataev need to be known by sight, and rehabilitating their feats is a rewarding endeavor.

Trailer: