Braddock: Missing in Action III
Colonel James Braddock has a Vietnamese wife who was supposed to leave Vietnam with him when they evacuate. But she loses her papers and wasn't allowed in the embassy. Braddock went looking for her and her friend took the bracelet Braddock gave his wife and was in an explosion. When Braddock finds the body with bracelet, he assumes it's his wife so he leaves Vietnam. 12 years later a Reverend in Vietnam who was visiting the States approaches Braddock telling him that his wife is alive and that he has a son. Braddock doesn't believe him at first but when a man at the CIA asks him to meet with him, Braddock realizes it's true. So he tries to get them out. So he contacts a friend in Thailand to get what he needs. As they are about to leave, the CIA tries to stop him but Braddock gets away, gets his equipment and heads to Vietnam. When he arrives he goes to the orphanage for Amerasian children, where the Reverend works. He takes him to them and is surprised to see them and his son resents him cause he thinks he abandoned them. They try to leave but a Vietnamese Colonel takes them, he kills his wife and subjects Braddock to torture. Braddock escapes with his son, whom he says to go to the orphanage. The Colonel goes there and takes the Reverend and the children to a prison. Braddock then tries to rescue them.
The film underperformed commercially against its tight budget of $9.0M, earning $6.2M globally (-31% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the action genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Braddock: Missing in Action III (1988) showcases deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Aaron Norris's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Colonel James Braddock
Lin Tan Cang
Reverend Polanski
General Quoc
Van Tan Cang
Main Cast & Characters
Colonel James Braddock
Played by Chuck Norris
A Vietnam War veteran who returns to rescue his Amerasian son and other children from the oppressive regime
Lin Tan Cang
Played by Miki Kim
Braddock's former Vietnamese lover and mother of his son, imprisoned for her relationship with an American
Reverend Polanski
Played by Yehuda Efroni
An American minister running an orphanage in Saigon who aids Braddock in rescuing the children
General Quoc
Played by Aki Aleong
The ruthless Vietnamese military commander who oversees the prison camps and opposes Braddock
Van Tan Cang
Played by Roland Harrah III
Braddock's young Amerasian son whom he has never met, living in harsh conditions in Vietnam
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Braddock runs a mission in Vietnam, 1975. He operates as a skilled soldier helping evacuate refugees during the fall of Saigon, establishing his identity as a man of honor and duty.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Braddock is separated from Lin during the chaotic evacuation. He believes she died in the fall of Saigon, losing his wife and unborn child. This devastating loss forces him into a new life.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Braddock makes the active choice to return to Vietnam on an unauthorized rescue mission. He crosses back into the country, entering the hostile world that cost him everything twelve years earlier., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Vietnamese forces discover Braddock's location and close in. A major confrontation results in casualties among refugees he's protecting, raising stakes and making escape seem impossible., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Braddock and his family are captured or cornered with no apparent escape. Lin or their son faces mortal danger, representing the potential death of everything Braddock has fought to reclaim., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Braddock synthesizes his warrior skills with his newfound purpose as a father. He gains critical information or assistance that enables the final confrontation, entering Act 3 with renewed determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Braddock: Missing in Action III's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Braddock: Missing in Action III against these established plot points, we can identify how Aaron Norris utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Braddock: Missing in Action III within the action genre.
Aaron Norris's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Aaron Norris films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Braddock: Missing in Action III represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Aaron Norris filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Aaron Norris analyses, see Sidekicks, Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection and Top Dog.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Braddock runs a mission in Vietnam, 1975. He operates as a skilled soldier helping evacuate refugees during the fall of Saigon, establishing his identity as a man of honor and duty.
Theme
A fellow soldier or contact mentions that "some things are worth fighting for" or references family and sacrifice, establishing the film's thematic core about protecting the innocent and never abandoning family.
Worldbuilding
Establishes 1975 Saigon chaos, Braddock's relationship with Lin (his Vietnamese wife), the dangerous evacuation environment, and the stakes of being separated from loved ones in wartime.
Disruption
Braddock is separated from Lin during the chaotic evacuation. He believes she died in the fall of Saigon, losing his wife and unborn child. This devastating loss forces him into a new life.
Resistance
Jump to present day (1988). Braddock has rebuilt his life but receives shocking news: Lin survived and has been in a Vietnamese camp with their son. He debates whether to believe it and considers the dangerous mission to return.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Braddock makes the active choice to return to Vietnam on an unauthorized rescue mission. He crosses back into the country, entering the hostile world that cost him everything twelve years earlier.
Mirror World
Braddock encounters his young son for the first time and reconnects with Lin. This relationship subplot carries the theme of family, sacrifice, and what truly matters beyond warfare.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Braddock uses his combat skills to protect his family, evade Vietnamese forces, and fight through obstacles to reach freedom. Action sequences showcase his resourcefulness and determination.
Midpoint
False defeat: Vietnamese forces discover Braddock's location and close in. A major confrontation results in casualties among refugees he's protecting, raising stakes and making escape seem impossible.
Opposition
The Vietnamese military intensifies pursuit. Braddock faces increasing obstacles, dwindling resources, and the physical toll of protecting his family and other escapees while evading a superior force.
Collapse
Braddock and his family are captured or cornered with no apparent escape. Lin or their son faces mortal danger, representing the potential death of everything Braddock has fought to reclaim.
Crisis
Braddock faces his darkest moment, processing the possibility of losing his family again. He must dig deep to find the resolve and strategy to attempt one final desperate action.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Braddock synthesizes his warrior skills with his newfound purpose as a father. He gains critical information or assistance that enables the final confrontation, entering Act 3 with renewed determination.
Synthesis
The finale: Braddock executes a bold assault against Vietnamese forces, defeats the primary antagonist, and leads his family to freedom. Action-heavy climax demonstrates his complete commitment to family over duty.
Transformation
Braddock stands with his wife and son, safe and together. The warrior who lost everything in the opening has transformed into a complete man: both protector and father, having reclaimed his family.