utgard14
Prequel to Missing in Action covers Braddock's years as a POW and his eventual escape. This one was filmed back-to-back with the other movie and was intended to be released first. But they realized the first movie was better, so they moved it from part 2 to 1. Which is funny as today there are many fans who claim part 2 is the better movie. I'm not one of them but they're out there. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent war movie and I like it. It's not action-heavy, though it never drags and the action does pick up towards the end. It's more of a drama for the first hour or so. Chuck is his usual stoic self. Soon-Tek Oh is a suitably despicable villain. Steven Williams plays the POW who betrays the others. Christopher Cary has a brief but enjoyable role as an Australian photographer who tries to help the POWs. The continuity doesn't line up with the previous movie (or the third), but I doubt most viewers will care. If you like Chuck Norris' Cannon movies, you will probably like this one.
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Battle Rage, a better titled movie, when at the drive in late 85, I preferred to of course, the video titled Missing In Action 2. The thing about Chuckie's 1984-1986 movies were they hit the video circuit only months, after hitting the screen. This pic, a moronic POW Vietnam tale, I now feel embarrassed or ashamed for watching it back in 1986, during my teen years. This prequel was so trashy and bad, not trashy and good. Chuck and his Vietnam buddies are kept in a POW camp, where they're treated harshly, and there is a grueling and merciless setting to the film I must say, as well as an atmosphere that is choking. This too is helped by the evil and sadistic performance from Soon Teck Oh, the best actor in the pic. We even have an Aussie photographer, who poses as one of the prisoners, actually getting himself caught on purpose, so he report the abuse and suffering, but of course, he meets his doom. This movie is so clichéd to Chuckie's other films, we don't need a map or script to know what's going to happen next or how the character's fates will ensue. There is however, one twist moment involving 21 Jump Street's Steven William's character, a POW turned traitor. There are some embarrassingly funny deliveries of dialogue and reactions from the actors, the film's almost worth renting for comedic value. Of course, and I haven't forgotten, that trademark torture scene. Chuckie's tied upside down, a bag with a live rat inside, is pulled up over his head. Who will survive? Duh. Highpoint of the movie. Oh, and waiting for Chuckie to strut his karate stuff, comes near the end where you'll be thankful to see him do his thing, where you so much want to see him kill Soon Teck Oh. Sadly from the start, with Norris, about to board a chopper, clean cut moustache and all, we actually get the impression of a much better quality pic, awaiting us, instead of the result: constant dreck, How mislead and blinded will you be. Bad beyond comprehension, for only a few moronic majority, where as a viewer, your brain cells will drop radically.
Maziun
This is actually a first movie in the series. Hence "The beginning" in the title. . It was made along with part 1. The producers when they saw two movies decided to make the original part one a sequel . It was a wise move . "Missing in action" was a box office success. It had some action in it and was definitely better than this flick. I'm pretty sure that if "Missing in action 2" was released first it wouldn't be a hit. Not that any of the movies in this series is good.American soldiers here are 100% good and noble , while the Vietnamese are shown as devils children , all 100% evil. There is no touch of gray here , everything is simplistic black and white morality. The movie is full of brutal scenes and the whole atmosphere is depressing. The director Lance Hool doesn't know what a decent action scene is and the pacing is dreadful. There is very little action here and I think it's fair to call this movie a prison drama. I like prison dramas when they good . Sadly this one wasn't.Norris has got one stony expression through the entire movie , even when he should be at least TRYING to act. The rest of the cast is also wooden beyond belief.Plot ? Message ? This is a moronic POW Vietnam tale , where Chuck Norris eats a rat. Even by the standards of B-class action movie this is incredibly bad . Avoid it. I give it 1/10.
therabbitslayer
I'm not a huge Chuck Norris fan but after watching this movie I know why people are. At the time when this came out this movie was the greatest P.O.W movie out there. Graphic and raw! For my money Chuck has never done better and that is no put down of his other movies. This one just hits the mark in so many ways. After watching this movie you will know why there are so many Chuck is so tough jokes. EX:Chuck Norris doesn't do push ups he pushes the earth Down. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie. I know it has some age on it now but its still Chucks best. Its not the Terminator, Aliens, or Star Wars but for what it sets out to be its really worth a watch.
