This is a B movie.Okay, now that we have that out of the way, it is an enjoyable B-movie. In this sequel to Iron Eagle, the young pilot from the first film is tragically shot down, likely by Middle Eastern antagonists. Colonel Chappy Sinclair is back on active duty, and this time, he's been selected to train a group of young pilots-- with a twist-- this time, joining his group of American pilots is a group of jet pilots from the Soviet Union. In the era of Gorbachev's "Perestroika", this is a pilot-pilot program, if you will. It's Chappy's job to whip all these rookies into shape-- they're all somewhere between sullen and cocky-- but then the terrorists from the Arabian Peninsula threaten to start using biological warfare on key targets in America and the Soviet Union, so it's up to Chappy and his relatively green crew to stop them! The first IRON EAGLE was a profitable film, likely in the aftermath of the TOP GUN. Cruise never followed up his film with a sequel, so its just as well that this movie did. The filmmakers definitely threw a curveball in making Chappy the main character this time. But Gossett is such an engaging actor, he manages to elevate the B-plot and dialogue at least a few notches higher than it would normally be. The action sequences on the battlefields are very good, and believable (though apparently some stock footage was used). The supporting actors hold up well, especially Clark Johnson (who may remind viewers of Will Smith's performance in "Independence Day"). There's some unnecessary tacit romance between a male American pilot and a Soviet female, but the film wisely avoids any blatant mush, and keeps it strictly about the action.Definitely an enjoyable renter, but try to find at a discount to buy.

Enjoyed viewing Louis Gossett,Jr.,(Charles 'Chappy'Sinclair),"Window",'05, who started out in the film as a Full Bird Colonel and wound up a One Star General. Chappy received this high rank because he was drawn out of the National Guard to complete a mission with Russian forces and a crew of so called Misfits. There is plenty of comedy through out the entire picture and I really do not know if it was intended to be taken that way. Mark Humphrey, (Capt. Matt Cooper),"JAG",03 TV Series" was a pilot who simply could not take any orders from anyone and held a vengeance toward the Russian forces he had to work with. However, he got the hots for Sharon Brandon,(Valeri Zuyeniko) a Russian Pilot who was the only gal in the crew and had the face of a Russian woman, and despite that fact, they were in LOVE. If you like Lou Gossett Jr., then watch this film.

I think that some of the comments are VERY exaggerated here. I personally prefer this movie to the first one, and the next two were just awful. Sure, there are some story lines that have been seen before. Sure, there is a bit of "Schlock" in here. But overall, this is very watchable, and pretty entertaining, especially considering how inexpensive this DVD is. I have seen this movie a few times, and I think that it is a pretty good movie. People that just pick apart every detail need to get a life. How many movies have incorrect footage of airplanes, or footage that has been used before? Who cares??? We know these people aren't actually flying these planes!! It's not like the scene in "Bullitt", where Steve McQueen is actually driving.....geez people....give this a break....it ain't that bad, in fact it's pretty good.....

As an aviation buff, I thought that this movie sucked. Passing off F4's as MiG's is just the beginning. The army sergeant is WAY too fat; he would have never been allowed to remain on active duty. The Soviet Union did not use women combat pilots in the 80's. (I know this because I used to study and teach Soviet combat tactics.) And the incident at the beginning of the movie would not have been something that could just be "hushed up." Much of the footage is from the first Iron Eagle. And that movie, although fanciful, is much better and many times more realistic. There are much better aviation movies out there. I was greatly disappointed by this one.