Watch Flight of the Intruder

In the late 1960s, during the Vietnam War, the US Navy pilots are trained to execute strategic bombing campaigns against the enemy's territory. However, the morale of these young men is challenged by the fact that they often return from their missions empty-handed, with no military targets destroyed but only innocent civilians killed or injured.

One of these pilots is Lieutenant Jake 'Cool Hand' Grafton (Brad Johnson), a rebellious and fearless fighter who becomes disillusioned with the senseless war and wants to make a difference by taking on risky assignments. He is joined by his loyal RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) and friend, Lt. Morgan 'Morg' McPherson (Willem Dafoe), who shares his frustration and desire for a meaningful contribution in their mission.

Their chance finally comes when they are assigned to the USS Independence, a carrier tasked with flying deep into enemy territory to destroy a critical missile facility in Hanoi. Jake is excited to be part of this mission and eager to prove his worth, but soon realizes that their superiors' command is flawed and dangerous.

Jake and Morg's suspicions are confirmed when their squadron leader, Cmdr. Frank 'Dooke' Camparelli (Danny Glover), reveals that the mission is a suicide mission designed to deceive the enemy's intelligence by using fake bombs. The real targets are innocent villages selected by the CIA for political reasons.

Shocked by this revelation, Jake and Morg decide to take matters into their own hands and disobey orders by flying their A-6 Intruder plane to the real target in Hanoi. As they fly deeper into enemy territory, they encounter intense gunfire and the enemy's fighter planes, which threaten to shoot them down.

With limited fuel and ammunition, Jake and Morg must use their wits and skill to fly around the enemy's defenses and complete their mission while surviving the relentless pursuit of the enemy. Meanwhile, Dooke must decide whether to support his men's rogue mission or betray them and comply with his superiors' orders.

Flight of the Intruder is a gripping and emotional war drama that explores the psychological toll of war and the human cost of obeying orders blindly. The film's excellent cast delivers outstanding performances, especially Brad Johnson, who portrays Jake's journey from a hot-headed rebel to a courageous leader with depth and authenticity.

The film's action sequences are intense and realistic, and the aerial dogfights are thrilling and spectacular. The film's visuals are also stunning, with breathtaking shots of the A-6 Intruder in action and the beautiful Vietnamese countryside.

Despite its critical acclaim and box-office success, Flight of the Intruder remains one of the most underrated war movies of the '90s, overshadowed by the more celebrated Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. However, the film's relevance and impact have not diminished with time, as it raises important questions about the ethics and morality of war and the role of soldiers in shaping their destiny.

Flight of the Intruder is a 1991 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.