Propaganda Meets Paranoia With a Smile

MOVIE REVIEW
Air America 4K Steelbook
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Genre: Action, Comedy, War
Year Released: 1990, Lionsgate 4K steelbook 2025
Runtime: 1h 53m
Director(s): Roger Spottiswoode
Writer(s): John Eskow, Richard Rush, Christopher Robbins
Cast: Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr., Nancy Travis, Ken Jenkins, Lane Smith, David Marshall Grant
Where to Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Set during the covert operations of the CIA’s secret air transport wing in 1969 Laos, AIR AMERICA blends high-octane action with comedy and more subversive commentary than it’s often credited with. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, the film juggles war satire, buddy comedy antics, and government critique—sometimes with grace, with turbulence—but always anchored by the effortless chemistry between Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr.

Adapted loosely from Christopher Robbins’ nonfiction book, the film drops viewers into the morally murky world of "Air America," a CIA-run operation flying weapons, people, and—more controversially—opium across Southeast Asia under the guise of humanitarian aid. Gibson plays Gene Ryack, a veteran pilot who’s figured out how to survive by skimming profits and keeping his head down. Downey Jr. is Billy Covington, the fresh recruit with a conscience, thrown into the mess after losing his commercial license back home.

Their dynamic becomes the film’s core: Ryack, the cynical survivor, and Covington, the idealistic foil. Together, they navigate dangerous missions, corrupt leadership, and the slow, dawning realization that not all is as it seems. The deeper they go, the clearer it becomes that the operation is less about politics and more about profit, at the cost of lives.

Gibson and Downey Jr. are having fun; that sense of play translates well onscreen. Gibson’s Gene is exactly the type of role he thrived in pre-Lethal Weapon burnout: magnetic, slightly deranged, and deeply charismatic. Downey Jr., still in his early years of fame (the first time around), delivers a blend of sarcasm and sincerity that makes him the film’s moral center. Their rapport never feels forced, giving the film a base that helps gloss over some of its shakier plotting.

There’s a sharp satirical undercurrent—poking at U.S. imperialism, CIA hypocrisy, and the human cost of backchannel wars—but it’s often diluted by comedy and cartoonish villains. Gags or offbeat musical cues soften scenes that could land with a real sting. It’s not that the film isn’t trying to say something—it just seems unsure whether it wants to leave a bruise or leave you smiling.

Still, Spottiswoode’s direction keeps things moving. The aerial sequences are particularly well-done, showcasing some thrilling stunt work and practical effects, reminding viewers what action was like before CGI. Whether it’s a crash landing in the jungle or a shaky takeoff on a muddy airstrip, the flying scenes give the film its best moments of visual excitement.

Nancy Travis adds a welcome presence as a field nurse who challenges both pilots to reconsider their roles. However, her character never fully escapes the limitations of a supportive love interest. Meanwhile, Lane Smith and Ken Jenkins fill the government ranks with the right mix of sleaze and faux patriotism. (I can only wonder how the current administration in the US will be portrayed in the future…)

What’s surprising, in retrospect, is how bold AIR AMERICA was willing to be in framing American foreign policy as a self-serving machine. In a time before films would tackle similar ground with a sharper knife, AIR AMERICA offered a glossier, more accessible version—wrapped in buddy comedy packaging but still laced with enough skepticism to make it stick.

It may not go far enough to unsettle, and its comedic tone sometimes undercuts its potential impact, but AIR AMERICA is more than just a throwaway '90s romp. With Gibson and Downey Jr. at their most charismatic, and a story that doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths of covert warfare, the film is a compelling blend of old-school Hollywood action and emerging political awareness. It won’t change your worldview, but it might make you question who’s pulling the strings behind the curtain—and keep you entertained while doing it.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE]

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