Air America | | Cast : | Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr. | | Director : | Roger Spottiswoode | | Studio : | Lions Gate Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | August 10, 1990 | | DVD Released Date : | August 19, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | October 11, 2004 | | Summary | FEATHER-WEIGHT WAR COMEDY, IF THAT | Content
 | Droll humor, couple of good actors doing occasionally amusing jigs, a semi-decent soundtrack, and a sprinkling of action scenes -- all in all, a generic feel-good comedy about the Vietnam war and once we're past the historical hullabaloo that other reviewers seem bent upon, the key question is whether Air America is a good movie. The answer is: well, sort of.
Loosely based on questionable military officials who smuggle opium for fun, Air American never really delves too deep into actual geopolitical concerns of a war, choosing instead to paint all its characters in a somewhat stereotypical light of depravity.
The action is borderline passable. The chemistry between Gibson and Downing Jr is nil throughout, and their antics lead to a rather pat ending, saved in part by a gorgeous Frank Sinatra number.
The DVD seems to be produced in an effortless manner, which befits a boxoffice underachiever, offering a taste of controversy but never quite correcting the trim on the movie's unfocused spirit. There's the usual making-of, some storyboards, a feature commentary from writer and coproducer John Eskow, and a longer new documentary called "Return Flight".
At best a worthy rental for a particularly slow evening but not one of Gibson's most treasured roles. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 22, 2004 | | Summary | Would have been a 5, but they cut some stuff! | Content
| Hey, the only GOOD review you get about a movie is your own. Don't want to go out on a limb and spend the money? Rent it first and then decide. I will say, it's got a great cast that works well together and an entertaining story.
OK, with that done, let's talk about the extras. They are informative without having to take a day out of your life to watch them. Well worth the few bucks to buy this new release. The audio and visuals are better.
As for not giving it 5 stars, they cut out the subtitled translation parts that were in the first release. Even with the subtitles turned on they don't show up. If the translations weren't correct, who cares, you would like to have an idea about what was going on. So don't think your going to buy this copy and off load your original. KEEP IT!
I spent 18 months in Thailand about the time this movie was suppose to represent. So besides being entertained, I enjoy just looking past what's going on and watching the people and sceenery.
P.S. Here's one for you Pink Panther fans. Burt Kwouk ... General Lu Soong is the actor who played Cato.
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| Rating | | | Date | April 01, 2003 | | Summary | More than a joke | Content
| This movie is funny, especially for you history buffs. It takes a tongue-in-cheek look at CIA operations in Laos, and while not a laugh a minute, is both thoughtful and funny... Its far more Dr. Strangelove than Sgt. Bilko. |
| Rating | | | Date | February 05, 2003 | | Summary | The Funnier Side of Vietnam | Content
| Although the subject matter itself isn't amusing the characters in the film are. They seem to make light of a bad situation, the likes of which aren't seen anywhere else that I know of with the exception of Good Morning Vietnam. I enjoyed the action scene in this film almost as much as I enjoyed the comic releif, but not as much as I liked the music. |
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