User reviews

This film was bad. Bad acting, bad directing, bad writing. But it wasn't bad in a funny way. It was bad in a boring way. I watched "Surface to Air" because I thought it might be a laugh. It wasn't. Don't make the mistake I did. There are plenty of more enjoyable ways to spend an hour and a half such as watching paint dry or reading the dictionary. Seriously.

When a rogue band of Iraqi soldiers begin an offensive close to the northern border, the US military sends in an aircraft carrier to monitor the situation. Brothers Zach & Dylan Massin, who both despise each other, are thrown together by fate. When Dylan's fighter jet is shot down over the hot zone, Zach (who is a Marine) goes in to rescue his brother & co-pilot.

Another of the numerous military-themed actioners from 1990s' B-grade studio Royal Oaks, Surface to Air is probably one of the weakest. The threat has not been properly written in – it is never clear why the Iraqi soldiers are doing in the area, with one scene suggesting that they were ordered to attack the area, while another contradicts this & suggests an attempted coup. But this pales in comparison to the generic plot given to it. Royal Oaks has probably had some kind of deal with the US military in order to make these films, judging by the sheer number they put out during the decade. Whatever the case, Surface to Air is pretty poor. The only thing that makes the film worth a once-over is probably the impressive stock footage of the military in action.

Let's face it ... Chad is NOT his dad , and Madsen is never known for "Stallone-style" heroics ! The eye candy (Shatner) is an unbelievable co-pilot. The "Gulf" here is represented by San Diego of course !

If this sounds plausible in any way, then heaven help the dirty rotten Iraqis ... I gave up watching after 15 minutes. What was the point of making this wretched film ... ? I kept wondering if Armitraj managed to get his investment back !

This film is a fair film. Michael Madsen, Chad McQueen, Melanie Shatner, Teri Thompson, and Larry Thomas are all good in the film. The film has good action scenes. It was different seeing how close McQeen's character was with Thompson's character. There is a brief nudity scene but not much. The musical score by David Wurst and Eric Wurst was good. But I noticed a lot of the score sounded like Jerry's Goldsmith's score from First Blood which is odd. Near the end I laughed when Michael Madsen got a cigarette out and asked his brother if he wanted a smoke and he took it and smoked it. It was funny because it seems Michael Madsen is always smoking a cigarette no matter what his character is. If you like Michael Madsen, Chad McQueen, the other cast members, and want to see a different type terrorist and war film then see Surface to Air!

Not a classically great movie, but far from the worst I've ever seen. Similar to British heroic wartime movies of the 40s, but updated with lots of great scenes of jet combat, modern military aircraft, carrier-based troops and military procedures. Likely the procedures were not exactly as rendered, but told well enough to tell an entertaining story. The action is steady and I, who bore easily, was not bored. Worth an hour of your afternoon. - Ralph