Iron Eagle (1986)

When Col. Ted Masters' (Tim Thomerson) plane goes down in an Arab country and he's sentenced to death for trespassing, his 18-year-old son, Doug (Jason Gedrick), is determined to save him. Unfortunately, Doug isn't the best fighter pilot -- he wasn't accepted into the Air Force because he needs to listen to music in order to hit a target. So he enlists the help of Col. Chappy (Louis Gossett Jr.) to borrow a couple of F-16 planes, fly across the Atlantic and start a rescue mission.
Iron Eagle Movie Poster 1986

Iron Eagle Quote: “Hey, this would be a lot easier if I had my shorts on.” – Doug Masters

Wife of the year Marisa commissioned “Iron Eagle” for her husband, Greg, but really it was a gift to all of Shat Nation. This 1986 Air Force cheese fest holds a special place in the hearts of ‘80s kids and inspired a disturbing number of today’s pilots.

Who knew Top Gun’s ugly cousin—filled with bad effects, a generic Middle Eastern enemy, homoerotic undertones, teenage mass murder, horrific Air Force security, ecological disasters, and the worst chase scene since “Prince of Space”—would hold its place as Louis Gossett Jr.’s most recognizable work?

In this episode of “Shat the Movies,” we discuss Air Force wife swaps, legendary soundtracks, cassette tape players, the ‘80s cinematic tradition of lonely older men grooming teen prodigies, and the phenomenon of creating black characters just to make them dance.

Plot Summary: “Iron Eagle” When Col. Ted Masters’ (Tim Thomerson) plane goes down in an Arab country and he’s sentenced to death for trespassing, his 18-year-old son, Doug (Jason Gedrick), is determined to save him. Unfortunately, Doug isn’t the best fighter pilot — he wasn’t accepted into the Air Force because he needs to listen to music in order to hit a target. So he enlists the help of Col. Chappy (Louis Gossett Jr.) to borrow a couple of F-16 planes, fly across the Atlantic and start a rescue mission.

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