Hot Shots! Part Deux: A Hilarious and Irreverent Comedy

The hot shots are back, and this time they're bigger and better than ever. Fox's DVD release of Hot Shots! Part Deux offers an anamorphic transfer in 1.85:1 ratio, which has held up remarkably well considering its age. The Dolby 2.0 Surround audio is also clear, with the option to switch to French or Spanish stereo tracks and English or Spanish subtitles.

While Hot Shots! Part Deux may not quite live up to the standards of Airplane!, it more than makes up for its weaker spots with a plethora of laugh-out-loud moments. Charlie Sheen's Topper Harley is back, this time living in Thailand and moonlighting as an ultimate fighter. But his real mission is to rescue a handful of hostages from an Iraqi prison camp.

The film is full of clever references to classic movies like Casablanca, Lady and the Tramp, The Godfather, Star Wars, Sea Hunt, and The Wizard of Oz. These nods to pop culture are both nostalgic and hilarious, making Hot Shots! Part Deux a true time capsule of its era.

Of course, no comedy would be complete without some dated humor, and Hot Shots! Part Deux does not disappoint in this regard. From Middle Eastern jokes that may seem insensitive in today's post-9/11 world to references to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Basic Instinct, Terminator 2, American Gladiators, and President George Bush Sr.'s infamous vomiting incident on a Japanese dignitary, the film is full of irreverent humor.

The cast delivers standout performances, with Sheen's Topper Harley getting some particularly memorable moments. Who can forget his hilarious encounter with his real-life father Martin Sheen in full Apocalypse Now mode? Or Valeria Golino's recognition of her resemblance to tennis star Gabriela Sabatini?

Overall, Hot Shots! Part Deux is a mixed success, but its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It's a comedy that will appeal to fans of Airplane! and other irreverent spoofs, and its nostalgic value only adds to its charm.

Hot shots part deux bloopers