Thanks to a handful of delays and, if I’m being honest, George Lucas’s involvement as a producer, my expectations for the Tuskegee Airmen drama Red Tails were tempered. Yes, director Anthony Hemingway cut his teeth on episodes of The Wire, CSI: N.Y. and Treme, but the January release date was a warning, not an endorsement. Then the first trailer hit… and it was surprisingly good. Now MTV has an exclusive second trailer and guess what? It’s actually better. Check it out below:



Inspired by true events, Red Tails is about the historic efforts of African-American Army pilots who had to fight past racial intolerance just to battle in WWII. Hemingway filled his cast with dependable character actors, from Terrence Howard and Bryan Cranston to Cuba Gooding Jr. (Hey, he won an Oscar once, cut him some slack!)

Both trailers suggest an emphasis on stunning aerial action, so we expect Red Tails to be more of a thrilling adventure than a dry history lesson. This new clip is cut like a teaser for a high-octane sports film, right down to the group chant of "We fight!" Hell, I’m ready to enlist. Even the exclusive new poster, also from MTV, has attitude to spare. Lucasfilm has done a damn good job revving me up for this film. Here’s hoping Hemingway and his spirited cast can deliver.