Portés disparus

A Vietnam war vet (Chuck Norris) and previous POW goes back to Vietnam ten years after . When Braddock arrives is accused of war crimes by a Vietnam general (James Hong) . He then schemes to free some American soldiers still held prisoners in a far prison camp into Vietnam . As long as he's there , Braddock decides to head Thailand where is pursued by a former enemy who tortured him in the concentration camp where he was prisoner . He's helped by a gunrunner friend (M. Emmet Walsh) . The two-fisted Colonel Braddock tries continuously to free the prisoners held captives suffering various tortures in charge of the camp wardens and the evil ruler.

This is a routine actioner with Karate star Chuck Norris as the Vietnam veteran resulting go be one of the best roles he'd made to date , as he's nice as tough , cold and stubborn Colonel Braddock . It's a predictable , shallow and brainless film , though it will appeal to Chuck Norris enthusiasts because of it contains some excellent action sequences (when Braddock shoots with his machine gun or scenes about bounds and leaps aboard a motorboat) . Chuck stated that he made this picture as a memorial honor of his younger brother who was a war casualty in the long Vietnam conflict . In the wake of ¨ Uncommon courage ¨(by Ted Kotcheff) and ¨ Rambo II ¨(George Pan Cosmatos) with Norris attempting to imitate Silver Stallone or Arnold Schwarnezzegger like an one army man .

The film is the original from a trilogy , concerning the second part (directed by Lance Hool , the first one 's producer) about tortures and Braddock suffering in a prisoner camp , and the third part (directed by Aaron Norris , Chuck's brother , who in 'Missing in action 1' was the stunt coordinator) upon looking for his wife after downfall Saigon . Shot right after Missing in action 2 (1985) , this movie was supposed to be the follow-up . Nevertheless, when ¨Cannon¨ realized this film was the better of the two , they re-titled them and made the other film a prequel . In the three movies there are some nasty , ominous villains well played by Asian players : James Hong , Soon Teck Oh , and Aki Aelong , who bear offensive racial stereotypes . Appropriate musical score by Jay Chattaway and adequate as well as atmospheric cinematography by cameraman Joao Fernandez , filmed in Philippines . The motion picture produced by Cannon films (Mennahem Golan and Yoram Globus) was professionally directed by Joseph Zito (USA invasion , again with Norris). The motion picture will appeal to Chuck Norris fans .

Chuck Norris stars in Missing In Action, but to answer a question presented by "Tim Cox" "Why did this thing spawn two sequals?" Well the answer to that is because it MADE money.

Unfortunately Missing In Action is a bad movie from start to finish, the politics are laughable and surprisingly rascist and that alone recommends it, that and some of the action is competent.

However this is a movie best left forgotten since it boasts a laughable premise as well as the obvious, that Rambo First Blood Part II did it ten times better.

Still for die hard Norris fans, Missing In Action is worth a look.

** (Out Of Four)

This was filmed back-to-back with part 2, and was originally intended to be released as the second film in the series, but Cannon executives moved it to be the first entry after realizing it was much better than the other film. It is indeed a better movie, but it still can't be called a good movie. To be sure, the production values are decent, and director Joseph Zito occasionally creates an effective moment. But for the most part, the movie is extremely dull; it takes more than halfway through the movie before Norris starts his primary mission, and the action sequences (the few that there are) are mediocre at best. Zito also shows no sense of pacing; there are a number of scenes that serve no real purpose, or are let to run on for what seems like forever. As for Norris, he is his usual stony near-mute self, though he is to be admired for doing some of the risky stunt sequences himself.

The subject of forgotten American soldiers left behind in Viet Nam served as a catalyst for some decent action flicks in the 1980s. This film and Rambo: First Blood Part II were the most prevalent of them. The film has some good action, but not much proof of the existence of POWs was found, however.

When I was about ten, these types of films really psyched me up. I really wanted the US military to stage a massive operation to go back in and get those guys. But my father who was an intelligence officer in the Air Force told me not to get too excited about things. We really never did have any concrete proof that a great number of our soldiers were being held in camps or used to harvest the rice and whatnot. Still, films like Missing In Action are a lot of fun to watch. My father did tell me that Bangkok is just as sleazy as the film makes it appear, though.

Joseph Zito does a good job making Chuck Norris look his best as he fights his way in and eventually out of Viet Nam looking for POWs. Lots of bullets fly, bombs go off, and people get the crap kicked out of them. Norris was perhaps the most wooden of all action stars during the period, but it was always fun to watch him whip up on the enemy.

There are two great supporting performances here, as well. M. Emmet Walsh and James Hong are two terrific character actors, and they are well used. Many people recognize Hong for being the host at the Chinese restaurant in Seinfeld when they have to wait for an entire episode to be seated.

If you get the chance, take another look at this film which has been forgotten by many. Norris was in his prime, and you'll likely be satisfied with the conclusion.

6 of 10 stars

The Hound.

Colonel James Braddock (Chuck Norris) was a POW during the Vietnam war. He escaped ten years ago and has tried repeatedly to get the government to go back in looking for other POWs. Finally, he gets fed up with the cowardly politicians and decides to go back in and get them himself!

This is not a bad movie. Get real, haters. Yes, it has something of a cheese factor but even the best action films do. It just adds flavor. It's a great action movie tailored to Chuck's strengths -- namely being the strong, silent hero who kicks ass and can't be bothered to take names. I'm not surprised certain types hate this so much. No doubt it reminds them of their inadequacies. Some people derisively refer to movies like this and Rambo as "revisionist fantasies." Well, so what? What is fantasy without wish-fulfillment? That's what this is -- a movie for Americans who wish we could have gone back in and gotten our boys out. If you're an American, put your petty politics and misplaced sympathies aside and tell me what's wrong with that?

There's awesome fist-pumping action as well as lots of drama but there are some lighter moments with foxy Lenore Kasdorf and sidekick M. Emmet Walsh. Despite the serious nature of the story, neither of these seem out of place. It's one of Chuck's best movies. If you're a fan of his and haven't seen this one yet, you're in for a treat. Followed by a prequel and sequel. Children of the '80s -- this is the only time you're ever going to catch Chuck Norris watching Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends so cherish that memory.