Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
The despicable Ramon Cota has murdered an innocent father and child and is exporting illegal drugs into the USA. When Colonel Scott McCoy from the original film, and his sworn partner attempt to bring him to court, their efforts are all in vain, as he is let off virtually Scott free. Unable to contain his rage, Scott's buddy furiously lashes out at him in court, to Cota's anger. He exacts the same ritual on his wife and child as he did on the previous Father and kid. Out on a personal mission of vengeance, the buddy finds himself mercilessly killed at Cota's hands. When an arsenal of soldiers attempt to go in and bring Cota and his army down, they are taken hostage, surely to be executed soon. McCoy leads a brigade of skydiving commandos in, along with himself, to rescue the hostages and exact violent revenge upon Cota.
The film earned $6.7M at the global box office.
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%)
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) exhibits carefully calibrated story structure, 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 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Colonel Scott McCoy and the Delta Force conduct a successful nighttime raid, establishing them as elite warriors. McCoy is shown as a skilled, professional soldier in his element.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Ramon Cota is arrested in a joint DEA-Delta Force operation, but during transport, Cota's men attack. In the ensuing chaos, Bobby Chavez is captured by Cota's forces and murdered, devastating McCoy who witnessed it.. At 11% 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 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to McCoy convinces his commanding officer to authorize an unofficial black ops mission into Colombia. He actively chooses to cross international boundaries and legal limits to hunt Cota, assembling his Delta Force team., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat McCoy's team successfully captures Ramon Cota in a daring raid on his compound. False victory: they think the mission is complete, but the real challenge—getting him out of Colombia alive—is just beginning., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Multiple Delta Force team members are killed in a devastating ambush. McCoy's closest remaining teammate is critically wounded. They're trapped with no way out, surrounded by cartel forces, and their communication with command is severed., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. McCoy realizes he must stop fighting for revenge and start fighting for his surviving men. He devises a desperate final plan combining Delta Force tactics with local intelligence, synthesizing military precision with Bobby's knowledge of the cartel., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection 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 Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection 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. Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. 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, Top Dog and Braddock: Missing in Action III.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Colonel Scott McCoy and the Delta Force conduct a successful nighttime raid, establishing them as elite warriors. McCoy is shown as a skilled, professional soldier in his element.
Theme
DEA agent Bobby Chavez tells McCoy about the drug crisis, stating that sometimes you have to go outside the law to get justice. This introduces the theme of righteous vengeance versus legal procedure.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of Ramon Cota, the ruthless Colombian drug lord. We see his operation and brutality. Bobby Chavez is working undercover to bring him down. The scale of the drug empire and its violence is established.
Disruption
Ramon Cota is arrested in a joint DEA-Delta Force operation, but during transport, Cota's men attack. In the ensuing chaos, Bobby Chavez is captured by Cota's forces and murdered, devastating McCoy who witnessed it.
Resistance
McCoy struggles with grief and rage over his friend's death. Cota escapes back to Colombia. McCoy wants revenge but faces bureaucratic obstacles. General Taylor debates whether to send Delta Force into a sovereign nation, which would be illegal.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
McCoy convinces his commanding officer to authorize an unofficial black ops mission into Colombia. He actively chooses to cross international boundaries and legal limits to hunt Cota, assembling his Delta Force team.
Mirror World
McCoy reconnects with Rita Chavez, Bobby's widow, who represents the human cost of the drug war. She embodies the theme of justice for innocent victims and gives McCoy's mission deeper moral weight beyond revenge.
Premise
Delta Force infiltrates Colombia and begins tactical operations against Cota's drug empire. Action sequences showcase their skills: jungle warfare, precision strikes against drug labs, and rescuing hostages. The promise of elite soldiers versus drug cartel.
Midpoint
McCoy's team successfully captures Ramon Cota in a daring raid on his compound. False victory: they think the mission is complete, but the real challenge—getting him out of Colombia alive—is just beginning.
Opposition
Cota's entire organization mobilizes to free him. The cartel's forces attack relentlessly. The team faces betrayal from local contacts. They're hunted through hostile territory with dwindling resources. Casualties mount and extraction becomes impossible.
Collapse
Multiple Delta Force team members are killed in a devastating ambush. McCoy's closest remaining teammate is critically wounded. They're trapped with no way out, surrounded by cartel forces, and their communication with command is severed.
Crisis
McCoy faces his darkest moment, questioning whether his vendetta was worth his men's lives. He must reconcile his desire for revenge with his responsibility as a leader. The wounded are dying and Cota mocks him.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
McCoy realizes he must stop fighting for revenge and start fighting for his surviving men. He devises a desperate final plan combining Delta Force tactics with local intelligence, synthesizing military precision with Bobby's knowledge of the cartel.
Synthesis
The final assault on Cota's headquarters. McCoy leads a frontal assault while coordinating extraction for his men. Explosive action finale with McCoy hunting Cota through the compound. Hand-to-hand combat culminates in McCoy killing Cota, avenging Bobby.
Transformation
McCoy returns to visit Rita Chavez, bringing closure. Unlike the opening where he was a soldier following orders, he's now a man who understands the cost of justice and the value of the lives he protects, not just the missions he completes.