Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil
Premise and title are the only elements this low-budget military drama shares with the 2001 Gene Hackman-Owen Wilson theatrical feature, but those seeking a dose of action won't be disappointed, despite the lack of on-screen star power. Nicholas Gonzalez (Resurrection Boulevard) and Matt Bushell star as Navy SEALs stranded in North Korea after a mission to destroy a nuclear plant is aborted; a brace of dependable character actors (including Keith David, Bruce McGill, and Glenn Morshower) debates with President Peter Coyote on the best plan of action to bring the troops home safely. Writer/producer/director James Dodson's approach may strike some as less than subtle, but he keeps the film's pace brisk and the action heavy, and yields some commendable results on what is clearly a limited budget. The DVD includes an audio commentary track by Dodson, as well as a pair of making-of featurettes and the original trailer.--Paul Gaita