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Navy SEALS

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Biehn
Director: Lewis Teague
Genre: Action
Year: 1990
Rating: 2 / 5

As $9.99 DVDs go, there are worse purchases than Navy SEALS. After pondering the acquisition of this film for a few months, I finally decided to take the plunge. After all, the film, starring a then-hot Charlie Sheen and cult hero Michael Biehn, is a guilty pleasure for action buffs. A stereotypical "guy movie," Navy SEALS is short on character development and crammed with guns, bullets, and superfluous female characters. Featuring a cast of men who have made their living in "guy movies," Navy SEALS is little more than popcorn fun, but it that, it actually manages to please.

James Curran (Michael Biehn) is in charge of a close-knit group of Navy SEALS. Living in a world of classified information and for-your-eyes-only reports, this band of crack troops hops across the globe thwarting the efforts of would-be terrorists. When an American helicopter carrying three soldiers is shot down, the SEALS are sent in on a rescue mission. While escaping through a firefight, Dale Hawkins (Charlie Sheen) uncovers a stash of Stinger missiles. Despite Hawkins' protestations, Curran insists the mission's goal is to extract the hostages - the missiles can wait for another day. When a passenger plane is shot down with one of the Stingers, however, Curran realizes his terrible mistake.

Navy SEALS features worthwhile action sequences and special effects that were top-notch at the time. The acting is rather wooden, but that is to be expected. Stars Charlie Sheen and Michael Biehn attempt to evoke some emotion with their friendly competition for reporter Claire Varrens (Joanne Whalley), yet this plays are little more than a mindless diversion. Speaking of which, the film could have saved some valuable time by cutting out the oh-so-eighties golfing sequence with the off-duty SEALS. I felt like I was watching the Top Gun beach volleyball scene all over again, especially with Rick Rossovich back in uniform.

Lewis Teague's film does not have an overriding message, save a few statements about how difficult it is to be a SEAL. Michael Biehn's character strolls through the SEAL training facility, "teaching" us about what it takes to be a SEAL and what sort of commitment is involved. The film even includes a very unoriginal sequence depicting a family mourning the "accidental" death of a soon-to-be-married SEAL. Do not look to Navy SEALS as a shining example of a quality action film, and certainly do not expect to see Charlie Sheen and Michael Biehn at their finest. Navy SEALS is cheap entertainment, and with that in mind, watching it can be an enjoyable experience.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence.
Running Time: 113 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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