Iron Eagle on the Attack

I'll confess right away that I haven't seen any of the other IRON EAGLE movies so watching the fourth one felt a little odd. All I know about these movies is that they're TOP GUN rip offs starring Louis Gossett Jr. However, I like Gossett Jr., and I was particularly interested in watching this as an instalment in the incredibly long career of Canadian-born director Sidney J. Furie, who started out making the likes of THE LEATHER BOYS and DOCTOR BLOOD'S COFFIN long ago.

Sadly IRON EAGLE IV is one of his lesser works and a very bad film with a television movie atmosphere throughout. Although planes feature in the plot quite heavily, this is a very low budget production in which all of the action takes place on the ground. Gossett Jr. and his buddies are going against some corrupt officers who are doing some illegal dealing, and the viewer is treated to some low-rent action scenes and a lot of wooden acting from the younger cast members. It alternates between being laughable and dull.

The movie itself is not bad as far as storyline, but Chappy Sinclair seems weak and somewhat insecure. In 1 and 2, he was strong and proud, but when dealing with Doug, he is more childlike and goofy. Overall a cute family friendly movie, reminds me of "Skyward"with Bette Davis (made for TV by Ron Howard). I did add to my collection because at times I like stupid humor movies like "Hot Shots" and "Airplane" nonsense fun.

If this was any other series, I'd be saying "what the heck?" alas kids flying planes is the foot 'Iron Eagle' started off on. There's no denying this sequel is the weakest of the bunch and it's hard to be pleased with a juvenile afterschool special plot that's equal measure sappy & cliche. Lou Gossett Jr is back but there's a crazy bit of retconning going on here and the whole thing is barely engaging.

Doug Masters - the teenager from the original - who flew with Chappy (Gossett) to save his father, later became an air force pilot himself isn't dead after all. Turns out Doug (now played by Jason Cadieux) ejected in time, but spent years in a Russian prison as everyone thought he was dead. He's a cigarette smoking, drinking bitter young man asked by his old friend to be a flight instructor at a state run school to rehabilitate troubled teens. Of course, they accidentally stumble onto a nefarious scheme going on at the local military base.

Cadieux is sufficient. Certainly looks similar to Gerick (original actor that played the part). Scene where he explains what he went through was solid. Gossett isn't given much and just goes through the paces. Decent aerial footage is still here, but slips away under amateurs foiling hardened military men in the most unbelievable way. 'Iron Eagle 4' aka 'On the Attack' was a hard slough.

Chappy turns to Doug Masters for help dealing with flight school misfits... kind of funny, considering Doug Masters was blown up in midair within the first two minutes of "IRON EAGLE II", so how is he there to help Chappy out?

The first movie is a classic 1980's us-versus-the-terrorists flick, and done back when Louis Gossett Jr. actually had a career. It also showcased a young Jason Gedrick, who is sorely missed here. This is one of those franchises where 1. there should have been no sequels, 2. the entire cast save the wisened old codger has changed, 3. it gets worse and worse as it goes on, ala the Delta Force/American Ninja/Kickboxer franchises.

Highjacking an F-16 by threatening the pilot with a double barreled shotgun and the quip "nice set of wheels"? That one part alone earns a lot of points! This movie is just pure fun and always manages to point me in a good mood. Is it realistic they'd fund a flying school for juvenile delinquents? Probably not. Is it fun and enjoyable in a lighthearted 90's guilty pleasure sorta way? Absolutely! The aerial scenes are mostly very well done and graceful to watch. The dogfight between the old piston powered T-6 trainers and modern F-16 jet fighters was quite exciting and amusing as well. Is it kinda cheesy and loaded with cliche's? Yes but who cares just turn your brain off and enjoy the ride!