Product Details

• Actors: Marshall Bell, David Bowe, Burke Byrnes, Jr. Robert Downey, Ned Eisenberg
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Lions Gate
• DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009
• Run Time: 113 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002OGMGV4
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,813 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Air America is one of those movies that could have been great, and now maintains its low-key reputation as a typical Mel Gibson film in the wake of his first two Lethal Weapon hits. Originally conceived as a biting black comedy about the CIA's top-secret smuggling operation in Laos during the Vietnam war, Air America lost most of its political sting when it was transformed into an action comedy for Gibson and costar Robert Downey Jr. The film is entertaining as far as it goes, with a few action sequences that explain where a lot of the budget went. If you're in the mood for some Mel, this one is a little off the beaten path, and still contains a percentage of its original potential. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

When Billy Covington (Robert Downey, Jr.) accepts a job to fly planes in Laos, he expects to join a crew of civilian pilots flying in peaceful air zones. What he gets is Air America, a ragtag group of renegades dodging gunfire to run secret – and shady – missions for the CIA. As danger grows and the line between allies and enemies blurs, Billy turns to a wild and grizzled pilot named Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson). Together, Billy and Gene take a stand against the chaos and become something no one ever believed they could be: heroes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best depiction of Asian airdrop/STOL air landing, October 11, 2000

By	Sam Damon Jr. (Fort Bragg, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Air America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a movie about air delivery: airdrop by parachutes, and amazing short field landings by STOL aircraft like the amazing Pilatus TurboPorter and the larger C-123. If you like Airborne things, this movie is for you, its funny and upbeat compared to your typical Vietnam movie and in a way does greater honor to the courage of the pilots who lived on the edge while flying these hairy missions. The TurboPorter landing on the side of the mountain makes the whole movie worthwhile...add to it '60s music and sexy Nancy Travis, what more do you want?

I find this movie far more interesting than the Lethal Weapon series, so it soars in my book as one of Mel Gibson's best movies.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars don't bother me while im colorin!!!, June 7, 2002

By	william m.goodwin (L.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Air America (DVD)

Air America was the United States "airforce" stationed in Laos
during the Vietnam war aiding our allies (amongst other things)
Mel Gibson plays veteran air american Gene Ryback and Robert Downey plays Billy Covington the FNG to the outfit.(He ends up being recruited in the states by a fast talking agent of the CIA after he (Downey) is grounded for being an...in the air.
The Film explores the adventures and antics..or hi-jinks as the pencil necked air america geek notes of t he pilots. Which includes drunken whorehouse parties, target practice with silencers on a miniature golf course and my favorite, gun running and landing an aircraft on a mountain.
A serio-comic movie it delivers the goods and was is enjoyable to watch
Thumbs up^

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining Black Comedy on the War of Vietnam., January 15, 2002

By	Christian Pelchat (Canada.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Air America (DVD)

When a Rookie Pilot (Robert Downey Jr.) got fired from his job. Now he`s been hired by the U.S. Army to be sent in Vietnam in the Jungles of Loas. When he meets his new partner in Piloting (Mel Gibson) but the Two are Cross fired between U.S. Missions and Behind Enemy Lines.

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (The Best of Times, The Sixth Day, Terror Train) made This winning underrated comedy was a Box Ofiice Hit in the Summer of 1990. Gibson and Downey Jr. delivers good comic performances in this adventure comedy. Originally meant to be a Darker Comedy. Super 35. Grade:B+.