Missing in Action: More Than Just Muscles (But Mostly Muscles)

Alright, so I finally caved and watched Missing in Action (1984). I know, I know, I'm late to the Chuck Norris party. Look, I generally steer clear of these hyper-patriotic, '80s action flicks – they tend to be, shall we say, lacking in nuance. And yeah, this one is basically a power fantasy fueled by righteous American anger. But I gotta admit, there's a certain… charm?… to its sheer, unadulterated commitment to explosions and roundhouse kicks. Colonel Braddock (Norris) essentially becomes a one-man army. He's infiltrating Vietnam, taking on entire platoons, and barely breaking a sweat. The plot is thin as can be – American POWs are still being held, the government isn't doing enough, and Braddock's gotta take matters into his own hands. What I found interesting (and, okay, mildly disturbing) was the near-total lack of Vietnamese perspectives. They're just faceless enemies, obstacles to be overcome. It's a product of its time, absolutely, but that doesn't excuse the lazy, borderline-offensive portrayal. I mean, at least try to give us some kind of context beyond 'evil Commies holding our boys hostage,' right? That said, the action sequences are undeniably impressive, even if they are completely ridiculous. The scene where he uses a tree trunk to take out a tank? Come on! But I actually found myself laughing at the absurdity of it all. It's so over-the-top that it circles back around to being entertaining. And Norris, while not exactly known for his acting range, definitely has a certain screen presence. He's the stoic, silent avenger, and he plays the part perfectly. Ultimately, Missing in Action is exactly what you expect it to be: a brainless, testosterone-fueled action flick. It's not going to win any awards for originality or social commentary. But if you're in the mood for some pure, unadulterated escapism, and you don't mind turning off your brain for 90 minutes, you could do worse. Just don't expect anything resembling reality or good taste.