January is coming in for a landing, but there are still plenty of new options dropping on the small screen. But with all the content that’s available in this era of shows, movies, and streaming options, it can be daunting to know what’s worth your valuable time. Don’t worry, this series is here to help. Today, I’m looking at a new World War II series on Apple TV+.
Series: Masters of the Air
Where to Find It: The first two episodes are now streaming on Apple TV+, with subsequent episodes dropping each Friday.
What’s It About: Back in 2001, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks brought Band of Brothers to the small screen. The 10-episode mini-series aired on HBO and looked at a true story of soldiers fighting in World War II. In 2010, they did it again with The Pacific, which focused on the fighting in the Pacific Theater.
Now, the duo is producing a new series—this time for Apple TV+—that again looks at real soldiers in World War II. This time, the focus is on the Army Air Corps, and its operations in Europe during the battle. We are introduced to another group of U.S. servicemen, this time pilots and crew of bombers who conduct strategic raids throughout the war.
This new series, based on the book from Donald L. Miller was adapted for the screen by John Orloff. It has a cast that’s led by Austin Butler, Callum Turner and Barry Keoghan, among others. It follows them from their first posting in England throughout their campaigns in the European Theater during the war.
You Should Try It If: You’re a fan of the genre, have seen the previous WWII miniseries produced by Spielberg and Hanks, or you’re a fan of these performers.
One Man’s Opinion of Masters of the Air
This is one of the more anticipated releases of the first part of the year. It’s also a big get by Apple TV+, pulling the third series away from HBO. It’s a big undertaking, recreating these epic air missions during World War II. You can tell special effects were used to create the sequences, but it looks good and offers plenty of tension.
What set Band of Brothers apart wasn’t just the story, but the way you get to know these men and invest in their mission. I also appreciated the interviews with survivors and the little facts that would be presented about the campaigns in each episode. Those touches are missing from Masters of the Air and, at least in the early going, it’s not as easy to connect with these characters and their background.
Still, the series has a strong cast, a good production look and an engaging story. We seemingly never tire of seeing WWII stories, and this is a good one, focusing on a unique group during that conflict. I enjoyed the first two episodes and I’m excited to see where this goes over the rest of its nine-episode run.