TxMike
This movie came out the same year we moved to Houston, and my son was 13. I remember watching it with him back then, and again presently, now that my son is a Commercial Pilot. It is a cheesy movie, everything is pretty much totally improbable, if not impossible, but it is a good story of father-son affection.Jason Gedrick is Doug Masters, young Cessna pilot, high schooler, whose dad is a military fighter pilot. Doug aspires to attend the Air Force Academy and become a fighter pilot also, and has made friends with some on the base who allow him ample fighter simulator time.The drama begins when Doug's dad is flying a routine training mission over the Mediterranian and is shot down. Captured by an unnamed Arab country, he is quickly tried and sentenced to be hung in three days.Naturally Doug wants the USA to rescue his dad but is not happy with their response. So along with his friends, and retired fighter pilot Louis Gossett Jr. as Col. Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair, they hatch a plan to fly two armed fighter planes to rescue dad, re-fueling over the Atlantic. All highly improbable, but fun to watch.SPOILERS: Doug was denied admission to the Academy because of an F he got as a result of skipping classes for simulator time. On the unauthorized mission he not only saved dad but shot down a few enemy fighters. Back home all news of the mission was suppressed and his "sentence" for the crime was admission to the Air Force Academy where he would receive supervision and discipline.
Shaun
In the 1980's patriotism, and in some cases flat out Jingoism, was pretty high. "Do we get to win this time" a line famous from Rambo: First Blood part II, could almost sum up how many people felt at that time. A longing for the style of films they grew up with, flat out balls to the wall "we're good, your bad...now let's blow something up, and go home" While Rambo, Rocky, and for the most part Top Gun seemed more geared towards attracting an older crowd Iron Eagle went straight for the kids. Canadian writer and director Sidney J. Furie brings out everything that you love and hate about that time period. The kick in the pants rock out 80's anthems (never say die, Road of the Gypsy, etc) to the over the top, and sometimes almost unbelievable action adventure. Iron Eagle succeeded for one reason...it was F.U.N - Fun. It's the type of movie you can turn on and sit back and enjoy every ridiculous totally 80's moment. You don't have to think about if it could really happen, or if the acting is truly believable, it's just fun...and that's all you can really ask for in this type of movie...
pyyinstaller
as a retired USAF MSG (aircraft maint. spec), this has got to be one of the worst movies i have ever seen. the fact that a teenager could ever get on the flight-line, much less get into an f-16 is ludicrous. the military spends millions on each pilot to make them the best in the world and this movie makes the air force and all its members seem stupid at best. yes, i know it is only a movie but it conveys a message to the younger folks that we are all idiots, and believe me, we are not. the logistics involved in setting up any type of mission are highly involved, even in the eighties, military computers were too secure to hack by any teenager, and the other flaws in this movie make peter pan more believable. sorry, to me, this movie has no entertainment value at all.
highheat002
This was an awesome movie with flight scenes that were incredibly realistic! I have seen it multiple times and it has kept my attention throughout every time. I myself am a big fan of the Air Force and love to watch any movie where I can get a glimpse of an F-16 flying. If you like Top Gun, then I guarantee you will love this movie also. Except for a few mild curse words, this is an excellent movie for the whole family. It has a great plot and does not have a dull moment throughout the entire movie. Every second is action packed and keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. So once again I HIGHLY recommend this movie!!!
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