FIREBIRDS

US, 1990, 85 minutes, Colour.
Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, Sean Young.
Directed by David Green.

Firebirds is the old, old war formula: Heroes, Training and Testing, Romance and Rivalry, Combat. Heroism and Victory. This time its George Bush's battle against the South American drug Cartels and their mercenaries and weaponry. Fortunately, the US has Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones and Sean Young (to train, romance, rival, combat) and some-strikingly photographed helicopters on manoeuvre, in battle, just in formation against the sunset. Plenty of patriotic lines. Audiences know what to expect. Action fans will enjoy it.

1. Enjoyable action feature? The old formula for the 90s?

2. South American locations, the US? Aerial photography, the helicopters, the sunsets, in action? Musical Score?

3. The title, as applied to war, American warfare, gung ho attitudes, the words of President Bush, the drug cartels and the battle against drugs - like a war?

4. The patriotic themes, the expressions of beliefs, Brad and his speeches, war and heroism?

5. Jake Preston and Nicolas Cage's style, in action in the opening, friends dying, his being briefed, speaking to the officers at the meeting, the encounter with Brad Little, training, tests, his failures in flight, eye difficulties, Billie Lee helping him. Becoming buddies with Brad? The past with Billie Lee, meeting her again, clashes, friendship? Macho style, declaring that he was the greatest? Together with Billie Lee? The build-up to the mission, expertise, the enemy, the manoeuvres, destruction, the rescue? The final argument about who was to drive?

6. Brad Little and his age, birthday, family and relationships, training, jogging but being out stripped by the younger men, his tough style, lectures, experience of eye trouble, helping and pressurising Jake, with the officers, wanting to go on the mission, being sent, downed, hurt and rescued?

7. Billie Lee as tough and strong, the break with Jake, the dance, their clash, friendly, the time together, in action, her shooting the rockets, the final rescue? Her assertion
about the role of women in warfare? Equality?

8. The portrait of the men, the training of the top guns? In action?

9. The officers, their briefings, strategies?

10. The drug cartels and their power, warfare?

11. The enemy, his being a German (echoes of World War II Callous, the fights? The equipment and his flying skills?

12. A 1990 version of any of the war films of the past?