Nebo

First of all, I must confess that I have a bias for Russian movies, because I spent considerable time in learning (at least, to some extent) the language and now being able to understand a movie in Russian gives me a special satisfaction. This war story reminds me of the US classic "The Bridges at Toko Ri": Brubaker and Soshnikov are both motivated by their sense of duty to take part in a war far from homeland, both have wives and families they love. Compared with other recent Russian war movies (e.g., "Tanks", "T34", "Devjataev") the tone is much more realistic, a total or partial happy ending is not foreseeable, but I've found in this movie the pathos of older Russian war movies about the "great patriotic war" (the name they use for WWII) I like so much. All in all: were do we get such men?

Historical drama. Yes, it was not really possible to find and watch this picture in good quality, but thanks to one site I was able to get acquainted with this work of Russian cinema, which was re-released (which looks like the right decision, due to the current international situation). I had heard good reviews about this picture remotely, and I knew that sooner or later I would get my hands on it. Hands, as they say, reached, I checked out - and the movie was definitely worth it, and I was not sorry to spend two hours of my personal time on it. And here's my brief opinion - The heroic fate of the Russian pilot. In the picture there were both unconditional pros and cons, which should not be forgotten. And with this, I finish my so long introduction and get to the point, according to the good old tradition.

So, the pros: 1. The scenario - the picture tells us the story of the crew of the Russian Su-24 aircraft, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Soshnikov (prototype Hero of the Russian Federation posthumously, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Anatolyevich Peshkov) and Captain Konstantin Muravyev (prototype Knight of the Order of Courage, Captain Konstantin Valeryevich Murakhtin), who were shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter on November 24, 2015 in the skies of Syria, after the Russian aircraft has completed combat missions. The picture especially focuses on Oleg Soshnikov, who was viciously killed by pro-Turkish militants and it was all captured on camera. The life and difficult service of our hero is shown, starting from the very training in the early nineties and up to a business trip to the Syrian Arab Republic in 2015. Relatives and friends, the collapse of a great country and the collapse of ideals, but at the same time loyalty to the Motherland, duty, oath. The hero of Soshnikov is not only Oleg Peshkov himself, but rather an allusion to the military of those years and those who now serve the Motherland and guard its security. Of course, there are idiotic moments in the script and a kind of "Hollywood", but it does not greatly affect the entirely good perception of the story told, which happened not so long ago. They could certainly work with dialogues, but oh well.

2. Combat episodes - air operations, the work of our specialists and allies in the face of Syrian intelligence and special forces, confrontation with Western specialists and anti-government and terrorist forces - all this looks very good. Because it is spectacular, dynamic, and most importantly - interesting, especially if you know that real pyrotechnics exploded in the frame, and there were practically no graphics. This is the level of the domestic military action film "Balkan Frontier". For even here you can see where most of the budget has gone. And the picture itself begins with such a dynamic episode, which already sets it up in the right way.

3. Emotions - it is simply impossible to watch this picture and remain indifferent, because emotions overwhelm, which again resembles the "Balkan Frontier", where such moments were made at the highest level. And here even actors play (Yes! It turns out they can do it!). It is very difficult to realize when watching that this is not Syria and that these are actors, and not our real military, who are doing their duty. You often literally shout all the accompanying phrases into the screen, in general, the involvement is strong. You can't take that away from the painting. The creators knew where to click.

4. Patriotism - the picture is saturated with it, because it is dedicated not only to Oleg Peshkov, but also to thousands of other Russian officers who, even in the harsh nineties, did not change their oath, did not go abroad, did not betray the army, but lived only with their love for the Motherland, for their people, for their families, receiving pennies, but it was they who saved the army, and thanks to them, new generations of future defenders, inspired by their example, will serve Russia faithfully, and our Homeland will be in safe hands. The names of the pilots of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria, Oleg Peshkov and Roman Filippov, and the special forces soldier Alexander Prokhorenko, who died with honor while performing their military duty, have already been glorified, and we should not forget them, because they gave their lives for us all.

So, the cons: 1. Historical mistakes - the insidious strike of the Turkish fighter was lightning fast, and in the picture it was stretched for several minutes, because there was no SU-24 escort (this was done only after the death of Oleg Peshkov, and even the S-400 was driven to Syria for cover). The special operation to rescue navigator Murakhtin was led by none other than the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran, General Qasim Suleimani (the same one whom the vile American imperialists killed in January 2021 in Baghdad). Russian Russian pilot was pulled out of the hands of pro-Turkish militants by his people from the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group (who knew the area well), and Russian and Syrian specialists found and eliminated Murakhtin's pursuers. There is no participation of Iranians and Hezbollah in the picture at all, although it is mean and not fair. Well, thank you that at least the Syrian mukhabarat (intelligence) and special forces are shown.

2. Idiotic moments and antics - in this rather serious picture there are similar moments that are very knocked out, especially in this regard, Ivan Batarev, the performer of the role of Captain Muravyov, distinguished himself (whom I remembered for the same idiotic behavior in a terrible picture called "Rzhev" (don't look, you'll spit)). And why was Sergei Shoigu renamed Sergei Shubin? And the cadets of the nineties wear Soviet military uniforms, although this is already the Russian Federation, and President Yeltsin is hanging in the office of the head of the school. It looks silly.

A little about the main characters: 1. Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Soshnikov, played by Igor Petrenko, is an experienced military pilot, whose life has shaken the garrisons of a huge country. An officer who, even in the most difficult and difficult years, remained faithful to the oath, loyal to the Motherland, and who was ready to give his life for us, and gave it, being shot by a brutal crowd of militants (almost all of them were found and eliminated). A real hero, of which there are many in all of our Russia. And this role was a good success for a good actor Igor Petrenko.

2. Captain Konstantin Muravyev, played by Ivan Batarev, is Oleg's colleague and the navigator of the Su-24 crew shot down by a Turkish fighter. A fidget who is always running into trouble, but in an extreme situation is able to show strength, courage, valor and ingenuity. Ivan's antics were very annoying, but in general the character is catchy.

Maria Mironova is not bad in the role of Soshnikov's wife, Alexander Burakhov is remembered in a small but vivid role of the head of the school, a Soviet officer who is offended for the state.

This is a really good patriotic picture, but still it does not reach the "Balkan frontier", but it definitely teaches patriotism and shows real heroes who live among us, and who can become all those who have honor, love and devotion to their Homeland, to their great multinational Russian people.

Ahead of the viewing of the patriotic action movie "Once upon a Time in the desert", also about Syria, I hope it will be no worse than "Sky".

As a result, we have a good Russian historical drama, with a good script, excellent battle scenes, good music, a well-revealed patriotic theme, and decent acting.

My rating is 7 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!