Review of Air America

Introduction

It`s 1969 and the United States is involved in a nasty little brush war in South East Asia. As evil communists fight to take control of Vietnam, the US will stop at nothing to prevent the world being dominated by the colour red. The neighbouring country of Laos becomes embroiled in a hidden war as communist insurgents try to gain a further foothold in South East Asia, while the CIA attempt to keep the country nice and capitalist. Air America is a CIA funded outfit that flies supplies and weapons to the local forces. The local forces grow opium and sell the narcotic to fund their little war, all under the auspices of the CIA. But as President Nixon says, there are no American forces in Laos.

When ace pilot, Billy Covington gets a little overzealous while flying his helicopter during a traffic report, he finds himself sacked and grounded. He doesn`t have to worry too long about his next paycheck though, as a mysterious figure soon turns up to recruit him into a private airline expanding the frontiers in Laos. In Laos though, he sees that the story is a little more complex, when he is introduced to a brotherhood of pilots who make him look a little tame. Gene Ryack immediately befriends him, a pilot turned native who shows him the ropes, and introduces him to the hypocrisy and insidious nature of the CIA in Laos. When Senator Davenport turns up to see what the CIA is up to, it rapidly becomes apparent that food isn`t the only cargo that Air America carries. Someone is going to take the fall and it sure isn`t going to be the CIA. Meanwhile Gene has got his own sideline running guns and building up his retirement fund. He`s ready for the biggest deal of his career, as long as that pesky conscience of his doesn`t get in the way.

Video

The picture is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic ratio. The image is a little grainy and does tend to suffer from print damage and a little dirt, but other than that the picture is quiet impressive, with a clear and sharp image and with strong vibrant colours.

The film is easy on the eyes as well with plenty of jungle to take up the widescreen ratio. This being a flying film there are plenty of aerial shots, with planes flying and helicopters swooping. The effects are quite good with plenty of explosions and a couple of spectacular crashes to help while away the hours.

Audio

The sound is presented in DD 2.0 German Stereo, DD 2.0 Spanish mono, and of particular relevance and slightly disappointingly, DD 2.0 Surround English. The sound is acceptable and adequate, but little more than that, as the surround capably recreates the original Dolby Stereo experience. This is one film though that would certainly have benefited from a DD 5.1 upmix. The dialogue is good and sharp if occasionally muffled by the action. However there are two problems. One is an unwisely placed layer change, and the other is the English subtitle track, that only occasionally matches the spoken dialogue.

Air America certainly benefits from a great soundtrack, boasting the kind of music that as the Guardian newspaper once put it, "makes you nostalgic for the Vietnam War". The Mamas and The Papas, Fontella Bass, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones, The Temptations and The Four Tops all contribute to a memorable choice of music that more than complement and even enhance the on screen action.

Features

Aside from the multitudinous subtitle tracks, there are two trailers. The theatrical trailer is presented in grainy 4:3, while the identical trailer is presented in clear 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Someone made a mix-up in the animated menus. There is also a brief making of, which adds up to 4½ minutes of extended trailer and about a minute of interview footage. The word you`re probably looking for is "PR guff". Finally there are around 20 stills presented in a gallery. Whoop-de-do!

Conclusion

Air America is certainly an enjoyable, lightweight piece of fun, as a group of latter day Han Solos go on assorted escapades on the wild frontier of war torn South East Asia. They may smuggle drugs, guns or simply food, but they all have a code of honour and they are undoubtedly the good guys. They spend their days flying into ten kinds of danger, and their evenings drowning their sorrows in wine and women. In the modern world, where everything is regulated, governed and legislated, these men are the last of a dying breed, the adventurers, the rebels, the cowboys of the sky. Air America has little to do with history, and more to do with good old fashioned swashbuckling. It`s 1 hour and 45 minutes of action comedy, which while it isn`t the strongest of scripts, more than makes up for it in set pieces and witty dialogue.

Mel Gibson once again reprises his likeable psycho character and this time overlays it with a layer of Buddhist serenity as Gene Ryack. Robert Downey Jr as Billy Covington gives him able support and serves as a good viewpoint into this world. Also notable is Ken Jenkins as the curmudgeonly Major Lemond, but the double act of Lane Smith and Burt Kwouk as Senator Davenport and General Lu Soong rival the mains stars for entertainment value. But Nancy Travis is wasted in an underwritten role as Corinne Landreaux.

More Lethal Airplane than Air America, this film is a lot of mindless fun, but little else. The definitive movie of the CIA conspiracy in Laos is yet to be made. Where is Oliver Stone when you need him? Unfortunately the most obvious title`s been taken.