Missing in Action 2: The Beginning Blu-ray Review

MGM's 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" offers an impressive visual experience, especially given its low-budget roots and the era it was produced in. Shot in Mexico by veteran cinematographer Jorge Stahl Jr., the film exhibits less grain and higher contrast than its predecessor. The clean source material contributes to a rendition free from noticeable damage or wear. The image, although not as sharp as contemporary digitally-tweaked productions, captures the details of its jungle and POW camp settings effectively. Colors stand out vividly—lush greens, bright pyrotechnic oranges, and striking reds associated with the North Vietnamese are particularly notable. Black levels are strong enough to highlight key elements like Colonel Yin's boots, and the film's natural grain structure is well-preserved.

The Blu-ray’s 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode (1.85:1) is slightly ahead of its predecessor in terms of consistency. It seems to benefit from a fresh remaster. Primary colors appear vibrant and cleanly-rendered, breathing new life into the visuals. The contrast is well-balanced and brightens the scene without disturbing overall picture quality. Black levels remain sturdy and generally accurate, with only minor murkiness in some darker scenes. Fine detailing is commendable, evident in the delineation of the jungle foliage and the bamboo prison camp structures. While a few sequences bear age-related degradation, these rarely detract from the overall strong high-definition presentation.

Without additional extras beyond a trailer, MGM and Fox focused on optimizing the video quality by dedicating most of the BD-25 storage to the 96-minute film. This resulted in an average bitrate exceeding 27 Mbps, ensuring minimal compression artifacts, allowing the film to be appreciated in surprisingly high fidelity for its age and budget.

The audio presentation of "Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" comes with an original mono track encoded in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio. This choice preserves the film's authentic sound design, delivering a faithful representation of its dynamic range particularly during action sequences involving gunfire, explosions, and the rhythmic sounds of military helicopters. Brian May's score, familiar to fans of his work on the Mad Max series, is smoothly integrated and adds a nostalgic touch. However, while the mix supports the story effectively, it does not offer the room-shaking impact expected from modern audio mixes.

Despite its strengths, the DTS-HD Master Audio track is not without its flaws. The audio presentation feels notably narrow and lacks the depth found in more sophisticated soundtracks. Dynamic range is limited, with some high-frequency elements like gunshots and explosions exhibiting distortion and hissing noise. Additionally, these action sequences are devoid of bass, rendering them flat and dull. On a positive note, vocals are well-prioritized and clear, ensuring dialogue is always intelligible amidst the action. Overall, while the audio track does a decent job of maintaining the film's original sound, it falls short of delivering an immersive auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" features a significantly sparse array of extras, reflecting the minimalist approach taken for this edition. There is a marked absence of supplemental materials, commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes footage, or interviews that might have enriched the viewer's understanding or enjoyment of the film. Technical execution on the disc remains solid, maintaining high standards in video and audio transfer. However, the lack of substantial extra content is a letdown, leaving viewers with only the basic promotional material. If you are expecting a plethora of bonus features, be prepared for disappointment.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A promotional preview of the film.

"Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the original "Missing in Action," showcasing Colonel Braddock's (Chuck Norris) harrowing ordeal as a POW. Originally intended to be released before the first film to provide context to Braddock's ruthless vengeance, it was reshuffled due to the producers' commercial instincts. This film delves into Braddock's capture in Vietnam in 1972, where he and his men endure unspeakable tortures under the sadistic Colonel Yin (Soon-Tek Oh). The film attempts to heighten drama with jagged freeze-frames and an exaggerated score by Brian May but often drifts into unintentional comedy.

The tension within the prison camp is palpable, punctuated by the grim collaboration between Yin and French drug runner Fran�ois (Pierre Issot), and underscores the POWs' dire situation. Inevitably, Braddock's fortitude becomes both his mainstay and Yin's focus of torment, culminating in brutal scenes of physical and psychological torture. Despite lacking subtlety or style, director Lance Hool succeeds in prolonging Braddock's suffering to an explosive climax, albeit hindered by Norris' limited range of expression in portraying intense emotions.

Critics have noted that the film often feels like a made-for-TV production, with ham-fisted dialogue and clichéd character arcs detracting from its intended dramatic weight. Yet, despite these flaws, "Missing in Action 2" reflects a crucial aspect of 1980s American cinema: the re-fighting of Vietnam through unambiguous narratives of righteousness and total victory. This contextually significant yet technically flawed movie remains an interesting artifact of its era, reflecting popular fantasies and cultural processes surrounding the Vietnam War.

"Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" continues the saga of Col. Braddock, portrayed by Chuck Norris, offering a nostalgic journey back to the 1980s. The film features a narrative often referenced in the preceding movie, focusing on Braddock's harrowing escape from a Vietnamese POW camp. Although it has a distinct made-for-television ambiance, marked by over-the-top villainy from Soon-Tek Oh's Colonel Yin and a predictable storyline, fans of the original MIA films will find its retro charm engaging. Despite its flaws, the movie holds significant appeal for those who enjoyed it during its initial release.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray edition of "Missing in Action 2" performs admirably in terms of visual quality. The transfer delivers a crisp and engaging picture that enhances the viewing experience. However, the audio presentation does not match the visual standard and sits at merely an average quality, lacking the depth and clarity audiophiles may desire. This stark difference in quality may affect the overall immersion for some viewers. Nonetheless, for ardent fans of Chuck Norris and 80s action cinema, this release remains a worthy collectible.

In conclusion, "Missing in Action 2: The Beginning" may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it encapsulates a unique brand of 80s action films that resonate with audiences from that era. The Blu-ray release from MGM and Fox succeeds in recapturing the nostalgia through its competent visual presentation, despite the lackluster audio quality. While it might not convert new fans, it serves as a time capsule for those looking to revisit or complete their collection of Chuck Norris classics.