Iron Eagle - 3/5

This movie is a teen knockoff of the Top Gun formula, using high school prank antics in place of training montages and young pluck in place of expertise. It’s a fun ‘80s teen movie that takes itself about as seriously as any adventure movie of the era. The suspension of disbelief will likely be too much for some viewers, but the film obeys its own rules for the most part and delivers neither more nor less than it promises.

Closest comparison: It’s like Top Gun if it were directed by John Hughes.

Setting: Military
Plot: Rescue
Tone: High School

Toy Soldiers (1991) - 3/5

This movie is a stock ‘80s/’90s action flick disguised as a college comedy. For better or for worse it seems to be trying for a “Die Hard at a Boarding School” byline, though despite it being set in a boarding school everyone seems to be pulling mostly college-type shenanigans.

Content advisory: phone sex

Closest comparison: It’s like Run, Hide, Fight by way of Icebreaker (2000).

Setting: College Comedy
Plot: Hostage
Tone: Adventure