Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Waste of time

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A superior sequel to Chuck's first Vietnam effort, this is a small-scale drama of prison camp torture and escape, the second half packed with simplistic but pleasing action as Norris kills off dozens of enemy soldiers and generally acts as a hero. Yes, this is violent bone-breaking stuff with graphic head shots, people burning, and a protracted finale which just about celebrates Norris causing extreme bodily harm to his enemy. The tortures (rats are placed in bags over prisoner's heads, living men are burnt) are brutal in the extreme and give the movie a hard edge. The realistic jungle locations give the feeling that this was filmed in the middle of a sweaty tropical inferno somewhere and add to the experience.Norris reprises his role as Colonel Braddock in what is a prequel to the first film, explaining how he managed to escape from the bad guys. The escape is exhilarating as it should be, and fans of the revenge genre will be in their element - this offers up the same kind of "kill everything that moves" moral that Arnie's COMMANDO so superbly displayed. The supporting cast are pretty good and each fits into their respective character with ease. Soon-Tek Oh's dastardly Colonel Yip is a baddie you love to hate, one of the nastiest opponents of Norris' film career and a real swine. Familiar faces include Steven Williams as a captive who turns on his friends, and Professor Toru Tanaka (previously in AN EYE FOR AN EYE with Norris), sadly underused as a heavy. This is mindless but entertaining '80s fare, not for those easily offended but a darned adrenaline-pumping time for those who aren't.

Battle Rage, a better titled movie, when at the drive in late 85, I preferred to of course, the video titled Missing In Action 2. The thing about Chuckie's 1984-1986 movies were they hit the video circuit only months, after hitting the screen. This pic, a moronic POW Vietnam tale, I now feel embarrassed or ashamed for watching it back in 1986, during my teen years. This prequel was so trashy and bad, not trashy and good. Chuck and his Vietnam buddies are kept in a POW camp, where they're treated harshly, and there is a grueling and merciless setting to the film I must say, as well as an atmosphere that is choking. This too is helped by the evil and sadistic performance from Soon Teck Oh, the best actor in the pic. We even have an Aussie photographer, who poses as one of the prisoners, actually getting himself caught on purpose, so he report the abuse and suffering, but of course, he meets his doom. This movie is so clichéd to Chuckie's other films, we don't need a map or script to know what's going to happen next or how the character's fates will ensue. There is however, one twist moment involving 21 Jump Street's Steven William's character, a POW turned traitor. There are some embarrassingly funny deliveries of dialogue and reactions from the actors, the film's almost worth renting for comedic value. Of course, and I haven't forgotten, that trademark torture scene. Chuckie's tied upside down, a bag with a live rat inside, is pulled up over his head. Who will survive? Duh. Highpoint of the movie. Oh, and waiting for Chuckie to strut his karate stuff, comes near the end where you'll be thankful to see him do his thing, where you so much want to see him kill Soon Teck Oh. Sadly from the start, with Norris, about to board a chopper, clean cut moustache and all, we actually get the impression of a much better quality pic, awaiting us, instead of the result: constant dreck, How mislead and blinded will you be. Bad beyond comprehension, for only a few moronic majority, where as a viewer, your brain cells will drop radically.

This feels like real movie. Not like cheap Rambo rip-off like first one. To be honest this have some First Blood feeling in it but it is not such rip-off as first one. Now we have real characters. Chuck Norris feels like acting and story makes sense. You sense danger unlike first one.This happens before first movie and things happening in this movie are mentioned in first one. You are not spoiled if you have seen first one. Unless you count spoiling problem all prequels have. If I have understood correctly this was shot before first one or at same time. It makes little sense that this was released later than first one since this happens before and is much better movie.I prefer prison camp part at beginning over action part at the end. This would have been better with less action but this is action movie and Chuck Norris movie so action has to be there.

the first missing in action was, okay, i guess, mindless action, cheesy. this was MUCH better though. it actually had a pretty good interesting story. the first part of this film is all the torture this crazy man yin. he runs the place. he is such a dick he made me want to go into the movie and kick his ass. the second half is chuck doing what he does best, kicking ass and blowing stuff up. and the ending is as satisfying as it gets, Braddock vs. yin. i found this film very predictable, but isn't that all 80s action films? ha but i loved it anyway. instead of mindlessness of the first missing in action, this one had heart. it was very phisicological for an action film. this had a certain effect, especially in this one scene were yin burns a letter from Braddock's wife. it was pretty original compared to the first one witch was obviously rip off of Rambo first blood part 2. this film is very good give it a watch!