Airwolf, the movie that launched the hit TV series, is a fast-paced political thriller, set in the mid-80s when the Americans were at odds with the Libyans. Unlike the pilots for shows such as The A-Team and Knight Rider, this is quite a dark affair. The inventor of Airwolf, Dr. Charles Moffatt, is a psychopath. Despite being a genius, he is clearly unbalanced - just watch the scene where he tests out Airwolf's devastating weaponry on the control tower. He originally built the hi-tech, hi-speed bulletproof chopper for the FIRM, a CIA-type organization who specialize in cases involving national security, but after the control tower massacre, defected to the Libyans and started performing aerial missions for them. Michael Coldsmith Briggs III, codename Archangel, is a head of the FIRM and one of the few survivors of Moffatt's slaughter. He tries to persuade Stringfellow Hawke, Vietnam veteran and ace pilot, to go to Libya to retrieve Airwolf, but he will not do it, unless the FIRM try and find his brother, an MIA in 'nam. Eventually, String goes to Libya with his best friend Dominic Santini and his girlfriend, a FIRM agent, is also on the same mission.
Airwolf is a character piece. We get to know Stringfellow Hawke as a bitter young loner who likes attracting eagles with his cello playing. He has a tragic history as both his parents died when he was 12, his fiancee was killed in a car crash and his brother went missing in action. His friend Dominic is a very cheerful father figure, ready to help String whenever he can, but he can be a bit talkative. Archangel, on the other hand, seems a bit shifty. Later on as the series progressed, he was seen as a true blue good guy, but in this film, he is another typically shady government operative, determined to get the job done and willing to sacrifice the lives of those under his command. It's good to see Hawke punch him in one sequence, because he ate his dog's steak!
British actor David Hemmings is suitably creepy and cold-eyed as Moffatt, but of course, the main highlights are the scenes with Airwolf. When that classic Sylvester Levay tune plays, you know you're gonna have some action. The beginning demo sequence, when Dom and String steal the Wolf from the air base and the explosive desert battle / confrontation are top notch. This was a show that put the likes of Knight Rider in the shade, thanks to solid characters, terrific action and engaging stories.
Airwolf is a character piece. We get to know Stringfellow Hawke as a bitter young loner who likes attracting eagles with his cello playing. He has a tragic history as both his parents died when he was 12, his fiancee was killed in a car crash and his brother went missing in action. His friend Dominic is a very cheerful father figure, ready to help String whenever he can, but he can be a bit talkative. Archangel, on the other hand, seems a bit shifty. Later on as the series progressed, he was seen as a true blue good guy, but in this film, he is another typically shady government operative, determined to get the job done and willing to sacrifice the lives of those under his command. It's good to see Hawke punch him in one sequence, because he ate his dog's steak!
British actor David Hemmings is suitably creepy and cold-eyed as Moffatt, but of course, the main highlights are the scenes with Airwolf. When that classic Sylvester Levay tune plays, you know you're gonna have some action. The beginning demo sequence, when Dom and String steal the Wolf from the air base and the explosive desert battle / confrontation are top notch. This was a show that put the likes of Knight Rider in the shade, thanks to solid characters, terrific action and engaging stories.