The Aviator

Name: The Aviator
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: December 17, 2004
Duration: 170 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Leonardo DiCaprio

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 538 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 538 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 17, 2004 | PG-13

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Leonardo DiCaprio

Summary: Leonardo DiCaprio stars as aviation pioneer Howard Hughes in this biopic directed by Martin Scorsese.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 170 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Todd McCarthy

An enormously entertaining slice of biographical drama, The Aviator flies like one of Howard Hughes' record-setting speed airplanes. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

This is one of the year's best films. Read full review

Chris Barsanti

This is Scorsese’s "Schindler's List", for better and for worse (mostly the better). Read full review

Mick LaSalle

The Aviator has a hole in its center, and Scorsese fills it the only way he can, with spectacle. He makes The Aviator colorful and entertaining from beginning to end. There are worse things. Read full review

James Berardinelli

A flawed but entertaining (and perhaps informative) tale. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Despite its star's heroic efforts, The Aviator is a gorgeous jet, flying on automatic pilot. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

The Aviator could've been a "Raging Bull" brother film, given that masterpiece's crystalline purity of purpose and humiliated courage. But it brakes far short. Read full review

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User Reviews

JPWenzel

Jul 8, 2012

The way the story fit together was magnificent, the way how every intricate detail contributed to the story was amazing. A great movie I would recommend to anyone who likes this sort of movie.

8 of 9 users found this helpful81

FilipeNeto

Jul 23, 2020

There are few historical characters who live as intense and interesting as the eccentric and controversial Howard Hughes. He started by inheriting a tool company but his passion for aviation took him to other flights, much higher and more notable, making him one of the pioneers ofThere are few historical characters who live as intense and interesting as the eccentric and controversial Howard Hughes. He started by inheriting a tool company but his passion for aviation took him to other flights, much higher and more notable, making him one of the pioneers of aeronautics and, also, of spoken cinema. This film is truly luxurious in all aspects and is probably one of the films that will mark Di Caprio's career.

The plot starts with Hughes' efforts to shoot "Hell's Angels", first as a silent film and then as a sound film, a super-production that cost him a lot of money. The film also shows Hughes' loving connections to renowned actresses like Katharine Hepburn or Ava Gardner, the US Senate's investigations into public money that he received in order to manufacture military planes that he never delivered, the creation and expansion of TWA Airline and, finally, the psychological disorder that Hughes suffered, and that were related to a serious form of phobia to germs and diseases.

The film was expertly directed by Martin Scorsese and features a luxurious cast led by Leonardo Di Caprio, in one of the most interesting and rich roles of his career, which is already enviable at all levels. The actor worked hard and committed himself deeply to the psychological portrait of the millionaire who, little by little, sees his energy and entrepreneurship undermined by his growing phobia. Beside him is Cate Blanchett, in the role of the willful actress Katharine Hepburn. And here, honestly, I'm not sure what to think. I don't know Hepburn very well, I don't know if what Blanchett did was really true to the portrait of that actress, but I thought that sometimes it seemed a bit like a caricature. Anyway, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, which should indicate something. Kate Beckinsale also makes an interesting appearance in the role of young Ava Gardner while Alec Baldwin and Ian Holm were good additions and did well with what was asked of them.

Technically, the film has high production values and a lot of quality. Cinematography is excellent and there is a lot of CGI involved, always of good quality and very realistic. The film is essentially set in the 30s and 60s of the last century, so the sets and costumes rightly make an effort to respond to these changes and put on the right props. The soundtrack also deserves special mention because it not only has an epic and adventurous feel to it, but it is easily heard.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Acquit77

Jul 18, 2021

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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$+÷+÷+÷++÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷+÷

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

cameronmorewood

Nov 7, 2012

The Aviator contains moments of greatness. It also contains some boring stretches, but make no mistake, the greatness is not overshadowed. Some key scenes in this film make it unmissable.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

gzayas91

Jul 31, 2018

This was entertaining movie of the mysteries billionaire who has germaphobia. DiCaprio was not great casting choice, but works fine.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuys

Sep 22, 2013

Although a little long, Aviator is an okay attempt at what Scorcese sought out to do. The movie is very slow at times, but nevertheless a powerful film. The performances are there, and DiCaprio as Howard Hughes is mesmerizingly good.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

JasonB.

Jun 30, 2007

I'm here to expose the good people at netflix as a bunch of charlatans, for the movie I saw last night delivered by these good people apparently bore no resemblance whatsoever to the film the above and below appeared to be gushing over. The film netfix sent to me was a meandering, I'm here to expose the good people at netflix as a bunch of charlatans, for the movie I saw last night delivered by these good people apparently bore no resemblance whatsoever to the film the above and below appeared to be gushing over. The film netfix sent to me was a meandering, overwrought pile of self-indulgent arse. How can a film made about an airplane test pilot millionaire who slept with most of the best looking people in Hollywood turn out to be so dull? This my friends is a truly mystifying. I guess part of the blame must be leveled on that dufus Decraprio, I… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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48	#48 Best Movie of 2004
35	#35 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
91	#91 Most Shared Movie of 2004