Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Bat 21 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 2, 2018

In 1986, the release of Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” changed everything for pictures about the Vietnam War. Suddenly, these stories about hellacious, confusing combat and the psychological scars inflicted could bring in sizable numbers at the box office, and even be rewarded with Oscar gold. Vietnam became big business for Hollywood, with 1988’s “Bat 21” (stylized as “Bat*21”) part of a producer push to get tales of war up on screens as fast as possible. Screenwriters George Gordon and William C. Anderson (adapting his own book) have the gray area of “Based on a True Story” to play with, detailing the U.S. military’s considerable efforts to collect one man shot down over enemy terrain. They split the story into two distinct extremes of combat, trying to soften the rah-rah concept of search and rescue with intermittent reflections on the cold, bloody brutality of war. Director Peter Markle (“Hot Dog…The Movie”) is caught between the extremes, and while he fashions a competent survival adventure, he has more trouble pinpointing the message of “Bat 21,” which is lost somewhere between explosive action sequences and moments where star Gene Hackman is asked to portray guilt as his character encounters dead bodies for the first time.

A 53-year-old electronics countermeasure expert, Hambleton (Gene Hackman) is pulled from the easy side of service when American forces are preparing something big during the Vietnam War, requiring his expertise, which brings him back into the air with a crew of young officers. When his plane is shot down, Hambleton manages to eject, floating down into enemy territory, where he quickly scrambles for hiding, aware that Viet Cong patrols are common in the area. Contacting the air force for rescue, Hambleton, under the call sign “Bat 21,” is connected to Clark (Danny Glover), aka “Bird Dog,” who works air support, tasked with identifying Hambleton and securing his position for a quick pick-up. However, complications arise with enemy presence in the area, keeping Hambleton on the move as he tries to slip past the Viet Cong, only to end up encountering various soldiers and villagers. Clark is under orders to get his man, having difficulty with the plan, causing more delays. Extended time in the thick of the jungle opens Hambleton’s eyes to the horrors of war, struggling to make it out alive, encountering grisly details he’s never been subjected to before, putting him in a troubling headspace as Clark remains committed to the cause, often going against direct orders to see the mission through.

Hambleton isn’t a careless man, but he’s introduced as a person who enjoys the luxury of his position, displayed in the opening of “Bat 21” practicing his golf swing, putting full attention on his stroke while situated in the middle of the Vietnam War. It’s an important character detail for many reasons, but it sets up the confrontation to come, with Hambleton, a fiercely intelligent man with a long career in the military, suddenly faced with feral survival challenges when the plane he’s on is shot down over dangerous territory. Close to retirement and ready to reunite with his wife in America, Hambleton is pulled from his sense of comfort and forced to grasp his new reality of self-preservation mode. “Bat 21” sets up a compelling adventure story in the first act, getting to understand Hambleton’s value to his superiors and his ability to think things through, using his expert mapping skills to create a game plan for Clark, who encounters a series of set-backs in his seemingly simple plan to pick up his man.

Camaraderie between Hambleton and Clark is secured through radio conversations, which develop into a partnership between the men as personal lives are shared. The main arc of “Bat 21” belongs with Hambleton, who’s confronting his own mortality in the situation, and he’s receiving a front- row seat to death and destruction, reexamining his own callous attitude toward duty as he witnesses hundreds of Viet Cong wiped out during a missile attack, while he personally contributes to the casualty total when he’s caught taking food and water by a local farmer, shooting the man when he brandishes a machete. The ambition here is to create a complicated figure out of Hambleton, who’s troubled by what he experiences, getting a taste of the real Vietnam War for the first time. However, “Bat 21” isn’t always committed to this psychological crisis, often setting aside confusion for some of the old bing, bang, boom, with Markle focusing a lot of attention on bright explosions and gun battles, glamorizing mass death while trying to condemn it, making a mildly anti-war picture that’s most alert when it’s in destruction mode. It’s an uncomfortable relationship between fear and violence, rendering the movie confusing when it comes to an ultimate summation of war zone details.

Bat 21 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) isn't a fresh scan of "Bat 21," but the MGM catalog title does fine with bright cinematography, which creates an appealing, but unremarkable viewing experience. Detail is satisfactory, with most frame textures coming from facial particulars, identifying signs of aging and weariness, while the heat is a powerful influence, surveying sweaty bodies and soaked clothing. Distances are secured, with dimensional aerial footage and countryside traveling. Colors are alert, best observed through greenery, with the jungle setting coming through with adequate hues. Outfits keep their militaristic greens and browns. Skies are bright blue. Skintones are natural. Delineation is passable, with some slight crush during evening events. Source is in fine shape, without major areas of damage.

Bat 21 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers dialogue without disruption, maintaining nice, clear voices as they communicate in person and through radio, never losing lines as intensity increases and violence erupts. Scoring is also well defined, with sharp instrumentation and respectful emphasis, supporting suspense and more somber reflection on the horrors of war. Sound effects are distinct, offering crisp gunfire, swooping planes, and rumbling helicopters. Atmospherics are strong, with rainfall loud and military base activity defined.

Bat 21 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Peter Markle.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:24, HD) is included.

Bat 21 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Despite some thematic muddiness, Markle keeps "Bat 21" on the move, filling it with impressive aerial footage as planes and helicopters take to the skies in an effort to bring Hambleton home. Action is heavy, trying to land somewhere between Rambo and Oliver Stone, but there's a general muting of the particulars surrounding the real Hambleton rescue mission, which apparently went so bad, costing many lives, that the Air Force changed their search and rescue procedure to prevent another debacle. The screenplay isn't that honest, more concentrated on the personalities involved in the hunt, giving the endeavor over to Hackman and Glover, who do their professional best to create distinct characters, filling the movie with personality and intensity of thought, as much of the story remains in silent reflection mode. There's a lot here that connects as intended, with Markel conjuring the sweatbox of Vietnam (everyone is soaked, trudging around in mud) and the despair of mistakes. However, "Bat 21" isn't a fully formed picture, more content to sample ideas than take on a greater understanding of the important questions it raises.