Terminal Velocity MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2 1/2

Sky-diver instructor "Ditch" (Charlie Sheen) is having a bad day. His irresponsible daredevil antics have put the Arizona flying school where he works on the verge of an FAA closing. Then a beautiful blond bimbo (Nastassja Kinski) persuades him to take her up for her first parachute jump. Sure enough her 'chute doesn't open and Ditch is held responsible for her death. The now desperate Ditch starts his own investigation and gets involved in a deadly cat and mouse game with former KGB agents. The blond "bimbo" turns out to be very much alive and a highly intelligent Russian agent who fakes her own death. The Russians are trying to smuggle gold back into Russia, but the "KG-used-to-be's" want it for themselves. Ditch performs some unbelievable feats, including the rescue in mid-air of a girl stashed in the trunk of a car that is dropped out of an airplane. Not very bright, Ditch doesn't question a stranger's claim that he is the District Attorney investigating the blond's death. The tongue-in-cheek humor and constant action of the bizarre plot make watching TERMINAL VELOCITY like reading a comic book.

Considering that the targeted audience is young teenage boys, the film's intense killings and foul language are surprising. A young woman is beaten, strangled and drowned in a fish aquarium in the opening scene. Ditch suffers blows to his head and slams against walls as he becomes a reluctant crime fighter. Automatic weapons, fiery explosions and point blank shootings are excessive as the villains ruthlessly destroy everything and everyone who gets in their way. Sexually suggestive innuendos are tossed about as Ditch lives up to his reputation of a shallow, womanizing bachelor. Eventually, however, the female Russian agent's tough exterior gradually crumbles as she shares some noble thoughts with Ditch, and he miraculously matures as they face life-threatening situations together. A fast action story told in a comic book style can be fun to watch, but to throw in obscenities and profanity implies such language is acceptable. Also, Hollywood seems to equate "action" with graphic violence, which can send out the wrong messages to youth.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 3900 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA 91521