There have been several movies about legendary American billionaire Howard Hughes- most notably “The Amazing Howard Hughes” with Tommy Lee Jones and “Howard and Melvin” with Jason Robards but as good as these are The Aviator stands as the most accurate and enthralling. Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic as Hughes- no easy task as he is required to play the character as he makes the transition from high flying adventurer and Hollywood producer to mentally unstable recluse. Cate Blanchett is remarkable as Katherine Hepburn and the gorgeous Kate Beckinsale plays headstrong Ava Gardner. As an introduction to the life of Howard Hughes you can't ask for better than The Aviator. As an adventure film with spectacular flying sequences, courtroom drama, humour and a tragic, compelling story it is every bit as successful. The bonus features are excellent on the 2 disc version with loads of historical information, cast interviews and some great features on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
