Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 19, 2015

The 1980s were a troubling time for Cannon Films, with producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus flooding the market with mediocrity and the occasional disaster. One of the lone bright spots in terms of box officer performance was “The Delta Force,” which shot up the big screen in 1986, cashing in on global terrorism fears with a pronounced display of American heroism. The pairing of Lee Marvin and Chuck Norris was celebrated by audiences, but a sequel didn’t immediately arrive. A brief delay between installments doesn’t do “Delta Force 2: The Columbian Connection” any favors, as the cheap thrill of watching U.S. military might take down foreign baddies is largely missing from the 1990 follow-up, while only Norris returns to duty, grabbing the spotlight as the material explores the vicious nature of South American drug lords and the corrupt governments that support them. Director Aaron Norris tries to maintain a professional attitude about the production, but it’s clear enthusiasm has dissipated, as “The Columbian Connection” tends to slide through confrontations instead of pumping itself up with bravado, with Chuck especially tuned out as he sleepily kicks, goads, and slaps around baddies.

Deep in the jungles of South America, in the town San Carlos, drug kingpin Ramon Cota (Billy Drago) rules the land without mercy, overseeing massive cocaine shipments to America as he maintains power over the peasants and the government, with General Olmedo (Mark Margolis) in his pocket. Unable to mount a successful mission to capture Cota and bring him to justice, the U.S. Government turns to Col. Scott McCoy (Chuck Norris) and partner Bobby (Paul Perri) for help, counting on the Delta Force to execute a secretive arrest on a plane over American waters. However, justice comes with a price Cota can easily afford, and once released from custody, the monster sets out to exact revenge, killing Bobby and his family. Determined to take down Cota for good, Scott teams with General Taylor (John P. Ryan) for a new mission to San Carlos, with the Delta Force leader becoming a one-man-army as he makes his way to Cota’s heavily guarded mansion high in the mountains, leaving his partner to help distract Olmedo by pretending to follow the rules of engagement.

While “The Delta Force” was no example of premiere storytelling, it carried a certain momentum and size that merged cartoonish military antics with a disaster movie atmosphere, helping to give the feature a kick when it needed it the most. “The Columbian Connection” doesn’t offer the same cinematic spirit, emerging as a production fighting a smaller scale and a more direct offering of evil in Cota -- a ponytailed ghoul who’s always one step ahead of American agents and not above killing babies to maintain control over his cocaine fields, making an enemy out of Quiquina (Begonya Plaza), a young peasant who eventually aids Scott when he begins his final assault on Cota’s compound. The screenplay makes a vague attempt to molest headline news to feed these shenanigans, playing up era-specific cocaine trafficking woes and political hostilities, striving to generate a modicum of reality before Norris steps in to erase plausibility. Still, the effort is welcome, and “The Columbia Connection” actually finds some rhythm once Taylor joins the mission, creating a subplot where the General is tasked with rodeo clowning a San Carlos official while Scott goes for Cota on his own.

While the budget was obviously limited, “The Columbian Connection” strives to deliver the type of action Norris fans expect, providing a playground for the star that’s filled with armed stuntmen and explosions, giving Scott plenty to dodge, especially in the second half. Early going in the sequel is decidedly less energetic, tending to Bobby’s doomed enthusiasm for his family (openly pawing his wife in public) and Cota’s growing menace. Aaron Norris achieves a few memorable moments, the best featuring Bobby and Scott’s skyjacking attempt, dumping a smug Cota into the air as they plummet into Florida. It’s a neat piece of nuttiness that gives the feature a lift, and while the helmer is terrible at masking stunt doubles (seriously, it looks like Chuck only showed up for his close-ups), he captures mid-air panic relatively well, mastering a surge of adrenaline that hints at a sleeker, more aggressive follow-up in the making. The promise isn’t kept, but instead of becoming an immediate disaster, “The Columbian Connection” achieves a few victories to go along with its many losses.

It’s Norris who looks the least engaged of the group. “The Columbian Connection” doesn’t test the action star in the acting department, but it looks to him for guidance, only to find that the lights are dimmed for this outing, watching him work through scenes blankly. Granted, Norris isn’t much of a performer to begin with, but he’s not involved here, going through the motions when it comes to fight choreography and tests of strength. More entertaining is Ryan, who’s trying to wake up the effort with loud work as Taylor, tasked with creating pockets of humor in a movie that’s okay with the idea of murdering infants. As Cota, the Voldemort of drug kingpins, Drago enters a whole new level of overacting, portraying the villain as a seductive, effeminate snake who gets off on the idea of evading capture. It’s campy work, but at least Drago is making choices here, striving to create an impression while Norris shuts down.

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation hasn't been refreshed for its HD debut, but the basics are handled adequately. This is a low-budget actioner, leaving sharpness a challenge to begin with, but a degree of detail remains, surveying interior particulars and angry close-ups, while jungle distances are open for inspection. Hues aren't bold but primaries remain in order, displayed comfortably on costuming and greenery. Skintones are slightly bloodless but passable. Grain is thick throughout, keeping filmic but pronounced. Delineation has a few challenges with dense hair and fabrics, but holds together. Scratches and speckling are displayed throughout.

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't profound, but for the small aural goals of "The Columbian Connection," it satisfies. Music ranges from a hearty orchestra push to tinny synth, but scoring handles as intended, supporting the action without intruding on the drama. Dialogue exchanges are strong and secure, preserving purred threats and mid-chase intensity. Sound effects tend to dominate the mix, offering sharp gunfire and heavier explosions.

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:41, SD) is included.

Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are a few training montages highlighting buff dudes, but the Delta Force never really comes into play during "The Columbian Connection," which is basically about Scott's desire for revenge than a group effort to halt cocaine trafficking. A few standout sequences remain, including Scott's attempt to climb up the side of a mountain to reach Cota's compound, and the finale explodes with gunfire and oddity involving a helicopter tied to Scott and Cota, dragging them through the jungle. "The Columbian Connection" isn't a bright sequel to "The Delta Force," but it provides enough junky, B-movie distractions to qualify as entertainment, trying to retain some beefy all-American kick-assery before the genre's slow, painful death in the 1990s.