AIR AMERICA (Mel Gibson) (Blu-ray)

Air America is a 1990 American action comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. as Air America pilots flying missions in Laos during the Vietnam War.

In late 1969, helicopter pilot Billy Covington has his pilot's license suspended for breaking safety regulations. His skills, bravery and disregard for the law are noticed by a government agent, who offers him a job in Laos working for the strictly civilian company Air America, which turns out to be a front for CIA operations.

In Laos, he is introduced to Air America's unorthodox pilots and aircraft, being taken under the wing of pilot Gene Ryack, who uses official flights to buy black market weapons for his private cache. His retirement plan is to make enough money to afford quitting his Air America job.

Senator Davenport arrives to investigate rumors that Air America is transporting drugs for Laotian forces. Major Lemond and Rob Diehl, CIA leaders of Air America, show the Senator around Laos to prevent him discovering that the rumors are true. Unfortunately, Davenport loses great respect from General Soong during their first meeting at the airport when mistaking him to be a local luggage-carrying valet. Soong holds this over Davenport's head for the remainder of his visit.

While airdropping livestock in their C-123 cargo aircraft, Billy and Jack Neely are shot down, but Billy manages to crash-land the C-123 at a former World War II Japanese airstrip. The Pilatus PC-6 of General Soong arrives at the crash site and his soldiers load up with the opium from the crashed plane, but intentionally leave Billy and Jack behind while local Communist forces are moving in. Gene and another pilot rescue them Billy boards Gene's helicopter.

Billy and Gene are shot down after a short time in the air and captured by a tribe. Gene strikes a deal to supply them with better weapons. At Gene's house, Billy is surprised to discover that Gene has a wife and children. Disillusioned with U.S. actions in Laos, Gene convinces Billy to quit his job, but Billy wants to get even with General Soong.