To be perfectly honest, Project Wingman is my second article that has air combat in it. Ace Combat 7 was my last year’s attempt to bring out the best of the best. Well the best in terms of air combat. And don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it very much. You can check it out here. But now I’m given a second chance to expand the air combat theme in a different aspect. And not just with a different game, but at the same time with a different list of movies.
However, before I tackle the movies in question, I believe it’s good to tackle the game itself. After all, it’s the game that started it all. What’s Project Wingman all about?
Project Wingman: What’s The Game About?
Developed by Sector D2 and published by Sector Games, Project Wingman is a fantastic indie arcade-style combat flight action game. And with an emphasis on polished and refined gameplay, true-to-its-roots inspirations, and an engaging single-player experience. Furthermore, it’s perfect for those who aren’t looking for a simulator experience. But with the ease of pick up and play, all the way to those who want a fast-paced challenging flight action game.
The game features two game modes: campaign and conquest. Not to mention, dogfight, strike and fly through combat zones based on an alternate history of Earth. Exotic weaponries such as railguns and geothermal-powered armaments will be ready to pluck you out of the sky if you’re careless. So, whether you are an attack aircraft pilot, or skimming the ground with a Gatling gun. Regardless if you have rocket launchers attached to your wing or almost sniper-like missiles at your disposal. It will be up to you to prove yourself as an Ace pilot.
But what are some of the Steam user comments about Project Wingman?
– Project Wingman is perhaps the nicest surprise I’ve had in a long time and certainly, a 2020 GOTY contestant, says AbyssalSoul in his Steam review.
-While Sir Man the Enlarged advises:
Gameplay 10/10
Soundtrack 10/10
Buy this game rn this is not a choice.
And yeah. Not only we have Project Wingman here at IndieGala, the game is currently part of our fantastic sale. Don’t miss out! Click here and do your thing.
Project Wingman And Some Cool Flicks: Which Ones Go Hand In Hand?
Granted, I’ve already touched on some cool and inspiring movies that have air combat in them. However, I thought for this particular article, to take another route. Granted, most of the movies on this list are a bit older, but they’re damn good. Oldies but goodies if you will. Well, most of them are anyway. And there’s no reason not to mention them. So without further ado… Let’s begin, shall we?
Firefox
An action techno-thriller film that has Clint Eastwood in the main role? Well, it exists and Eastwood is the director as well. Not to mention, it’s also one of the most polarizing movies of the veteran’s career. But the movie is based on the creation of a “mythical” super fighter too. The MiG-31 Firefox. And Eastwood plays Mitchell Gant in Firefox. A pilot sent into the Soviet Union on a mission to steal a prototype jet fighter. The jet can be partially controlled by a neuralink, and he cannot let the jet fall in the wrong hands. This is not your typical Clint Eastwood movie indeed. But that’s what makes it so exciting. And yeah. It belongs on this list too.
Fun fact: Firefox is one of two Clint Eastwood movies released in 1982. The other was Honkytonk Man (1982).
Twelve O’Clock High
A movie from the late ’40s? Why not? It’s actually a really good war drama movie. And a movie in which Gregory Peck has the lead role. He’s General Savage in Twelve O’Clock High. A hard-as-nails general that takes over a bomber unit suffering from low morale. He gets the unit in shape and prepares it for the early days of daylight bombing raids over Nazi Germany. Yes. This is a fantastic movie with extensive combat footage which ultimately makes the flight scenes very realistic. Not to mention, there are fantastic performances from Peck and Dean Jagger. If you’re into these types of oldies, then this is the movie for you.
Fun fact: This film is frequently cited by surviving bomber crew members as the only accurate depiction from Hollywood of their life during the war.
Strategic Air Command
Another war movie and another movie with an Oscar winner in the lead role. This time it’s Strategic Air Command and Jimmy Stewart. He’s Colonel Robert R. “Dutch” Holland. An ex-pilot and current baseballer that has been recalled into the U.S. Air Force. Also, the film includes dramatic aerial photography and fantastic air combat scenes. But the aerial shots of the Convair B-36 and Boeing B-47 are perhaps the most beautiful ever filmed. This is an exquisite piece of film art and deserves your attention. And if you’re a fan of Jimmy Stewart then it’s a bonus.
Fun fact: The movie is the third of three other movies in which James Stewart and June Allyson played husband and wife.
The Blue Max
I’ve had movies from the ’40s and the 50’s on this list. But not it’s time for the one from the ’60s. And of course is about a German fighter pilot on the Western Front during World War I. German Corporal Bruno Stachel (played by George Peppard). A man who appears to have no regard for anyone but himself. And a total deviation from the usual portrayals of romanticized flying aces in Hollywood. James Mason and Ursula Andress are on supporting duty here, and yeah. It’s really a good movie. With fantastic flight scenes and even better cinematography. It’s worth the watch of course.
Fun fact: ‘George Peppard’ flew one of the Pfalz replicas off-screen but did not fly in any of the scenes in the movie.
Pearl Harbor
OK, hear me out. I know that Pearl Harbor is not the best movie on this list. But it’s one of the better ones in Michael Bay’s mammography. The Rock remains no.1 in my book though. Bit it does have air combat scenes and cool fighter jets. Not to mention it depicts one of the most horrifying moments in US history. The attack on Pearl Harbor. But in the movie’s defense, it does have a solid cast and although not the best in terms of quality… It’s a nice watch nonetheless. It has romance and a nice sappy theme song by Faith Hill. Also, although from the early 2000’s it’s probably the newest movie on this list. So, yeah. I’m ending this article with Pearl Harbor.
Fun fact: According to Michael Fassbender, this was the first film he ever auditioned for. He went for one of the leads.
Are You A Fan Of Project Wingman?
Let us know if you are. Share with us your favorite air combat movies as well. Which ones would you add to this list? Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know all about them.
