UNCOMMON VALOR (1983) - Movie Review

Director: Ted Kotcheff
Starring: Gene Hackman, Patrick Swayze, Robert Stack, Fred Ward, Randall 'Tex' Cobb, Harold Sylvester, Tim Thomerson
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Writer: Joe Gayton, Wings Hauser
Runtime: 105 min
Rated: R
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

Gene Hackman portrays Colonel Jason Rhodes, a man obsessed, in this powerful, action-packed adventure. For over ten years, Rhodes has been living a nightmare searching for his son who is listed as “missing in action” in Vietnam. After useless appeals to the government for information, Rhodes takes matters into his own hands. With the financial backing of a Texas oil tycoon (Robert Stack) and the help of his son’s five Marine buddies, Rhodes prepares to carry out a daring mission. After weeks of grueling training, the courageous veterans leave for Laos. The final battle of the Vietnam conflict is about to begin.

Review:

"Uncommon Valor" is not quite as uncommon as its title might suggest, but it is a pretty decent war action film. The fact-based premise of prisoners of war being held captive long after the Vietnam War had ended was later used as the set up for films like Chuck Norris' "Missing in Action" and Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo: First Blood Part II". However, Ted Kotcheff's movie approached the subject not just with typical 1980s joingoistic action, but also a mature outlook on war and its consequences.

The movie is fast paced and features a decent amount of action, but it also dedicates plenty of time to its characters, rounding out their stories and personalities so that when the shooting starts, we actually care what happens to them. The ensemble cast is wonderful across the board, led by a strong nuanced performance from Gene Hackman.

A true product of the '80s, this movie has a healthy dose of macho bravado and adrenaline-pumping action. The stunts are plentiful and awesome, and the battles are beautifully shot, a true testament to what many call the Golden Age of Action Films. But it's not all shooty, shooty, bang, bang. Kotcheff balances the mayhem with earnest sentiment, a powerful sense of camaraderie and a poignant look at the traumatic effects of war. The ending also packs one hell of an emotional punch.

It's by no means a perfect film. The plot echoes real-life events, but requires generous suspension of disbelief. It's not hight art, but it is great entertainment. It's not "Platoon", but it is leaps and bounds better than "Missing in Action". If you're a fan of 1980s cinema, or action films in general, you should definitely watch this.

SCORE: 7/10