Final Approach

Stars: James B. Sikking (Narrow Margin, Outland, TV's "Hill Street Blues"), Hector Elizondo (Frankie and Johnny, Pretty Woman), Kevin McCarthy (InnerSpace, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)). Special effects by wizard John Dykstra (Star Wars) and good flight sequences by Clay Lacy (Top Gun) enhance this clever puzzler which lays claim to being the first all digital sound motion picture ever made. Following the elaborate credits and opening action sequence, the film introduces Colonel Jason Halsey (Sikking), an amnesiac who finds himself in the huge office of psychiatrist Dr. Dio Gottlieb (Elizondo). Halsey doesn't know who he is, or why he's seeing Gottlieb--forming the basis for the intriguing cat and mouse game which follows. Dr Dio wheels out the psychiatric arsenal (word association, Rorschach ink blots, etc.) which, in turn, trigger MTV-like edited flashbacks from Halsey's life. In a series of visually striking episodes we learn that Halsey was an Air Force Stealth test pilot involved in a top secret mission. Although the film sags a bit during the middle (most of the film takes place in the doctor's office), the constant action flashbacks keep it going, and the deepening sense of mystery eventually leads to a well-cloaked and very rewarding payoff. Winner of a Golden Scroll Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Audience: Trekkie fans will enjoy the intellectual aspects of the story, while plane buffs will be drawn by the fine action sequences.