The credits point out that the film is "a joint Israel and Canada production." I'm not sure that if I'd been making the film, I would have made a big thing of this.

The premise behind the film is that "Thumper" (hero guy from the first film) dies at the beginning and as a punishment/reward, his wingman (the hero) gets sent to a top secret unit. Here he meets up with Lou Gossett Jr. and a bunch of American misfits and Russian pilots. They have to attack a Middle Eastern research reactor in Kraplakistan. Anyway the Russians and Americans hate each other, attack each other, bond, and become friends. Love interest is supplied in the form of a female Russian fighter pilot. The Russian military service is well known for its policy on equality.

While the pilots attack the reactor from the air in a series of badly shot models and stock aerial shots, Lou Gossett Jr. and his Russian/American friends attack from the ground in a stupid looking tank. "Dis is dah latest in Russian a-salt tanks," intones a Russian General. "It as an array of weapon-ary and stealth equipment." Yes, two ray guns in an unconvincing turret, and it looks more like a float from a parade than a tank.

If you ever watched the first film, you might now be thinking, "Wasn't Lou Gossett Jr. just a mechanic in the first film? Why is he sent to attack the reactor?" Don't ask me, presumably they're hoping that when the reactor blows up, he'll die too.

I could have written pages and pages explaining just what a turkey this film is. No, "turkey" doesn't cover it. "Stupid" is more appropriate. The plot is stupid, the acting is lame, and the special effects are neither special nor effective. So let me sum up by saying that if you've seen "Hot Shots," you've already seen the best parts of this film. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Rating: half a turkey.

Scene to watch for: When Lou Gossett Jr. tries to get the Russian "villain" and the American hero to "bond" by killing each other with machine guns (I know it doesn't make sense, just believe me).

Or:

When the latest Russian assault tank is unveiled. It is very clearly the same tank used in the "Battlestar Galactica" film (when they land on that planet where the insect things are) right down to the unconvincing guns on the turret.

Best line: "To destroy the reactor, you have to fly down this narrow canyon and fire a missile directly into the air duct." / "That's impossible. No one can hit a target that small." Is it me or does this sound vaguely familiar from somewhere?

Things that make you go "Huh?": The plot. What happened to the rest of the Army/Navy?