Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Ava-Grace Willis Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

vincentlynch-moonoi To be honest with you, the main reason I like this film is that parts of it were filmed in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, a Thai town in far northern Thailand where I have spent some time. But it's a fun film if you don't take it too seriously.What I find ironic about this film is that its 2 key stars -- Mel Gibson and Robert Downey -- both later fell from grace. Downey made his comeback. It's not clear if Gibson ever really will. Another irony is that Downey crusades against drugs in the film at the very time he was heavily involved in drugs. Ah well.Yes, these were the days when Mel Gibson was relatively young, handsome, and respected. He's good here, although this is not a particularly strong role. It's just a variation on a buddy pic.This was made right after my favorite Robert Downey film -- "Chances Are". He's good here, but he's been better.It was interesting to see Nancy Travis here, whom we later got to know from "Last Man Standing" on television. And Ken Jenkins, whom we later got to know as a character in "Scrubs". And I've always enjoyed character actor, the late Lane Smith. They all do pretty well here.I don't find a lot to complain about in this film. Nor do I find a lot to applaud. I don't think this film is as far from the truth as some of our reviewers do. The drug lord here is clearly based on the infamous Khun Sa (the actor who plays the drug lord here even resembles Khun Sa).A bit of fun with a sort of buddy picture. That's what you have here.

jimbo700 Air America is over 25 years old and it's still on my list of movies I watch regularly. It's not that I disagree with those who acknowledge its faults, because I knowledge them too. The things that make me want to watch this film over and over are: The music, which is fabulous... The soundtrack is filled with great tunes, some of which are a little out of the period but it doesn't matter. It's great to hear Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter cover their own hit "Free Ride" and Bonnie Raitt & BB King do a great cover of Dr John's "Right Place, Wrong Time". And Charles Gross's score is a perfect fit for this film. The second thing that makes film so great is the cinematography. The flying stunts still hold up to today's CGI effects and they were all pulled off by real pilots. But cinematographer Roger Deakins makes it all so much better with some of the most beautiful shots I've seen. The way this film was photographed reminds me of the beautiful cinematography from David Lean and Jack Hildyard in "The Bridge on the River Kwai". Air American was filmed mostly on location in Thailand and the lush vegetation and rolling hills and mountains are stunning. Air America is the story of a couple of pilots who fly cargo (and heroin) for Air America, the CIA's wartime civilian airline during the war in Vietnam. Mel Gibson plays a seasoned veteran pilot and Robert Downy Jr. is the young, idealistic newcomer who stirs it all up. When it was released it drew harsh reviews from the big publications, mostly because (according to the reviews) it tried to poke fun at, and perhaps dishonor the real life pilots of Air America. Putting politics aside I never thought this film dishonored the Air America pilots. The film's main weakness is the thin plot (based on real events). The acting is great. Downey and Gibson have great chemistry, and the supporting actors/actresses are also spot on. It cost over $35 million to make this film and every penny is seen on the screen. Unfortunately it never caught on at the box office and only grossed $32 million (worldwide). The acting, stunt flying, music and cinematography make it worth multiple viewings, even if you don't understand the plot or find it hard to relate to the characters. If you can watch it in this context, you might love it too.

The Grand Master Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr, two mighty box office draw cards which gave Air America a lot of appeal. What could have gone wrong?! The script just did not work and the jokes are too corny. Ultimately it couldn't decide whether it is an action/adventure or a comedy or even a drama. Very disappointing.Set in 1969, Billy Covington (Robert Downey Jr.) has recently been fired from his job as a helicopter traffic reporter for a radio station following a confrontation with a driver in the middle of the streets of Los Angeles. Billy is later recruited by a secret government agency to work for a company named "Air America" in Laos. Billy is mentored by fellow pilot Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson) who is an arms dealer who is working on a big sale in order to fund his retirement. Billy and Gene find themselves involved in a drug smuggling scheme run by corrupt CIA officials Major Lemond (Ken Jenkins) and Rob Diehl (David Marshall Grant). Billy and Gene work to avoid being framed as drug smugglers following an investigation spearheaded by the hard nosed Senator Davenport (Lane Smith).This movie could have been a hit comedy however the end result was a disappointment. Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. had the star power to make it work however it just wasn't enough. Director Roger Spottiswoode (Tomorrow Never Dies, Deadly Pursuit) has endured a hit and miss career, and Air America didn't do him any favours.It was no surprise that this was a box office flop in 1990. 25 years later Air America barely rates a mention for disgraced actor Mel Gibson following several controversial incidents which has seen his career come crashing down, and Robert Downey Jr. who has enjoyed a career resurrection following the success of Iron Man (2008).Air America was a disappointing experience which is a total shame because this certainly could have been a lot better.4/10.

FlashCallahan Air America was the CIA's private airline operating in Laos during the Vietnam War, running anything and everything from soldiers to foodstuffs for local villagers.After losing his pilot's license, Billy Covington is recruited.He ends up in the middle of a bunch of lunatic pilots, gun-running by his friend Gene Ryack, and opium smuggling by his own superiors...This could have been such a winner. Mel Gibson at the time was one of the biggest stars on the planet, and Vietnam was still quite a hot potato.Twenty years ago, I would have gave it a seven, because I was ignorant to the depth of narrative and connotation, and just loved the stunts.Seeing it again, I realise now what a mess the whole thing is. It's not comedy, action, or drama, yet it likes to think it has elements of all of them. But mixing this the way Spottiswoode had turns it into a pretty depressing, boring experience.The two leads are okay, and they have great chemistry together, but all in all it's just a bunch of okay scenes with planes and stunts, with conspiracy sub plots involving the government in between.Gibson flashes his eyes and makes silly jokes for the ladies so its a movie for everyone, but in the end I very much doubt many liked the film.