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It is Interesting to note that "the Rescue"(1986?) set still stands on the Deer Park Heights outside Queenstown New Zealand. It is the same hill that George Lucas Filmed "the Willow" in 1988 and more recently several locations for the Lord of the Rings. The hill is open to the public via a Toll Gate. The North Korean style building seems a strange thing to come across in New Zealand but it catches the attention of bus loads of Asian Tourists who got up there to see the mountain lake that the refugees of Rohan file past on retreat from the evil minions of Saramon of Isengard... Who most likely never heard of this Disney Made for TV Movie whos presents looms spookily just out of shot.

I first saw this movie when I was 10. It had just come out and I had an interest in that sort of thing.Back then I loved it. Looking back it seems kind of ludicrous. But I can still view it and enjoy it despite the fact that it is somewhat dated today. The film was very appropriate for is time, the height of the Reagan era.If you happen to stumble across this movie on cable it is worthwhile viewing.

I like movies that have some realism in them, except if realism will spoil the effect, like in fantasy or science fiction movies. This, however, is about a group of kids going into North Korea to save their parents. That is already highly incredulous as a main plot setting, but the way it is played out makes it impossible to believe at all. Though it may be remotely possible that things can happen the way they did in the movie, the plausibility rating is so low as to be unbelievable.

For example, kids with no formal training who can shadow suspects, evade guards, slip into fortresses totally unnoticed, practice cover and concealment from professional soldiers without training at all....and much much more. See it to believe it, or rather, to disbelieve it. The only saving grace is somewhat okay acting from the young cast, though at times it is very grating to see them in such contrived settings.

While this may not be the best made or best acted movie, the ideals are sound. I loved this movie as a kid because it made me dream big. With movies like this, I though I could do anything as long as I was smart enough and wanted to work hard enough to achieve it. Acting and plot are not everything, and this movie is one of the greatest examples of going against the odds and doing what seems impossible. Today's movies for families rely on magic (Harry Potter, Narnia), animals (Dreamer, Air Budd), or computer graphics (Cars, Shrek). While these movies are great, they don't have the innocence and imagined realism that "The Rescue" does. I am dying to get this movie on DVD, and will not feel like my collection is complete without it.

The stage curtains open ...

In the shadow of movies like "Iron Eagle" comes this fun, crowd-pleaser. A Navy SEAL team is sent into North Korea on a rescue mission, but are captured and imprisoned where they await trial for espionage. If they are found guilty, they will be executed. The teenage children of these four men catch wind of a proposed rescue operation that is discussed by military brass but then decided against to keep the peace. Enraged and frustrated, the teenagers come up with their own daring plan to infiltrate the facility where their parents are being held captive and bring them back home.

As unlikely as any of this is, I found myself really enjoying this film. It is pure adolescent fantasy, but a rousing story of courage and overcoming impossible odds to rescue the ones you love. It is also a coming-of-age tale for one of the teenagers in particular as he wants the chance to restore a good relationship with his father and gain his approval, which he so desperately needs. The acting is decent, the pacing is good, there is comedy and action.

For a fun movie experience, I recommend this one. I've seen it more than a few times over the years and am happy to have it in my own personal collection. It is dated and when it comes down to it, unrealistic. But overall, a good experience.