Air America: A Look at a Unique Film

     Air America seems to be mostly a hit and miss movie and most people either love it or hate it. I have found that the haters can't seem to really zero in on what they hate about the film. It was only when I was describing this movie to someone that it all of a sudden dawned on me what makes this movie unique. It seems to me, that the problem with this movie is you never really know if you should be laughing or taking it seriously. I do believe that this was the intention, and for this movie, it certainly works, and it only makes me like it more.


     The movie stars a very young Robert Downey Jr. as Billy Covington, a helicopter pilot who has had his license revoked and is quickly recruited to join the private CIA branch known as Air America, operating out of Laos. Mel Gibson plays the experienced cool talking pilot Gene Ryack who is sort of the unofficial leader of the group and proceeds to take Billy under his wing. The movie looks at the lives that these insane pilots followed. Just look at the picture above and it tells you all you need to know. Weary pilots, air drops, explosions, smoking airplanes, arms running, drug dealing, all in a day's work for the pilots at Air America.

     As a movie, Air America is action-packed, humor-filled, and brilliantly cast. This is one of those genre-bridging films that works as a serious look at the CIA's illegal involvement in a war, as well as the action of airdrops in a war zone, and a comedic look at the craziest pilots in that part of the world. As with most genre-bridging movie, not only the cast, but the screenplay is what makes it work. The speech is real and believable, and everyone seems to fit the period and setting, from Mel Gibson to Art LaFleur. no one really seems out of place, and even when things are bleak, they all seem to be enjoying themselves, which goes along with the story as well as the film's tagline, The Few, The Proud, The Totally Insane. Just thinking of the scene of Mel Gibson giving Robert Downey Jr. a ride with "Rescue Me" in the background proves this, as well as never failing to put a smile on your face.

     I think that the problem with this movie's lack of a pop culture status is merely because it is unknown and not the most accessible of films. It is a real shame that more people don't appreciate it, and while most have heard of it, not as many have seen it. In terms of writing, I'll go as far as saying it's almost on par with Lethal Weapon, and I can't imagine any fan of that series not enjoying the fun-filled Air America. As a bit of trivia, you may remember that the drug dealers in the first Lethal Weapon were former members of the company, and if you want to go further and imagine that Gene is actually Martin Riggs' secret identity, it makes it even more fun, and Gene's character is definitely on par with what a young Riggs might be. But all kidding aside, Air America is without a doubt a movie worth your time, for all the antics, jokes, and action, it's just plain old Hollywood fun.