Missing in Action 2: The Beginning, directed by Lance Hool, serves as a prequel to the 1984 action hit starring Chuck Norris. Set during the Vietnam War, this film reveals the harrowing story of how Colonel James Braddock (Norris) endured brutal captivity before his eventual escape—making it the origin of the one-man army we saw in the first film.

Captured by the Viet Cong and imprisoned in a jungle POW camp, Braddock and his fellow soldiers are subjected to inhumane treatment by the sadistic Colonel Yin (portrayed menacingly by Soon-Tek Oh). Braddock, however, refuses to break. With steely determination, martial arts prowess, and survival instincts, he plots a daring escape that turns the tide of power from captor to captive.

This sequel/prequel leans heavily into gritty 80s action, complete with intense hand-to-hand combat, jungle warfare, and explosive confrontations. Chuck Norris embodies the role with his trademark stoicism and silent strength, delivering the kind of justice fans crave. While the narrative is straightforward, it thrives on raw intensity, strong pacing, and that patriotic undercurrent so typical of 80s action flicks.

Though not as polished or flashy as modern action films, Missing in Action 2 offers fans of the genre a solid dose of old-school vengeance and valor. It’s a throwback to a time when one man, a jungle, and a mission were all you needed for a wild ride.