Der stählerne Adler IV

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.

Doug Masterson has been shot down, but he's not dead as we've been lead to believe, instead he bailed out at the last second and became a POW in Russia. Now, he's out and living the life of a crop duster and possible alcoholic, fun times. Sidney J. Furie returns to finally tell a further adventure tale of Chappy and Doug, but this time with a different actor taking over Doug's role. I always wonder what the original actor was doing that was so much better then this. The two team up, all be it reluctantly on Dougy's part, to try and teach some delinquents how to fly planes...and also fight with some corrupt air force guys. It's not a bad movie, but with is tight bottom of the barrel budget, and some borderline acceptable performance, this one is just barely watchable.

Louis Gossett Jr returns to the well one more time as Chappy Sinclair who goes to Doug Masters (Played by Jason Cadieux who is in for Jason Gedrick who wisely declined) to teach a new band of recruits however this time they discover corrupt air force pilots who deal in toxic waste. This is a series that just keeps getting worse with each subsequent entry, this one however doesn't have any of the zip or even the action to make this even worth seeing on cable. Iron Eagle IV is directed with such indifference that the dogfights come off as if we were watching a playstation 2 game played by two lobotomized teenagers. It is horrendous to watch and Gossett Jr who has made his share of turkeys seems to have bottomed out here. And I saw Cover-Up, Firewalker, Aces:Iron Eagle III, Toy Soldiers and Jaws 3D. What is mysterious about Louis Gossett Jr is that he seems to be like Christopher Walken in his quest to do anything as long as he's working. As I look at his post Oscar win. Some of his better movies include Iron Eagle, The Punisher and The Principal. Considering that the latter two movies have him co-starring with Dolph Lundgren and James Belushi it is indeed something to say that three guilty pleasure action flicks are in the running for his better work. Of course Enemy Mine and Diggstown remain his best post-Oscar win work.

* out of 4-(Bad)

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.

Movie is watchable. It isn't Gone With the Wind or even Top Gun, but it is fun.

That's all of my review of the movie

I recommend that all of the negative reviews be tossed because the content proves that none of them watched the movie. Did all of ya'll (Yeah, I'm from Dixie) get together and decide to pan this movie as an addition to your pointless evening?

You can't spell either.

Get a life.

BTW I was an Air Force officer and a flier. The enlisted guy can call me Sir or Colonel.