Hangar 18

In the 1980 science fiction film Hangar 18, a group of American astronauts is sent into space on a secret mission to deploy a satellite. However, their craft collides with a UFO and crashes back to Earth. Despite surviving the crash, the astronauts are quickly killed by a mysterious government agency trying to cover up the incident.

The only surviving crew member, Steve Bancroft (Gary Collins), begins to investigate the situation with the help of a colleague, while at the same time, the government continues to hunt him down. Meanwhile, an alien spacecraft is found in the wreckage, and a group of scientists at Hangar 18 are tasked with studying the alien remains and technology. As they uncover new clues about the alien species, they begin to realize that they might not be as hostile as they first thought.

The film is directed by James L. Conway and stars Darren McGavin as Frank Morrison, the leader of the government cover-up, and Robert Vaughn as Gordon Cain, a high-ranking military official with knowledge of the UFO incident. Gary Collins delivers a compelling performance as the determined astronaut fighting to uncover the truth.

Hangar 18 is an exciting and suspenseful thriller with a unique take on the UFO genre. The film's exploration of government conspiracies and cover-ups is still relevant today, making it an enduring classic of the science fiction genre. The movie has a distinct "made-for-TV" feel to it, with more emphasis on story and characterization than special effects. Nonetheless, the special effects are serviceable, and the overall quality of the filmmaking is quite good.

The film's pacing is excellent, with enough tension and excitement to keep viewers engaged throughout. The scenes in which the scientists study the alien technology are particularly fascinating, as they slowly begin to understand how it all works. The film's climax is both thrilling and satisfying, as the truth behind the government's cover-up is finally revealed, and the surviving characters attempt to stop a catastrophic event from taking place.

One of the strengths of Hangar 18 is its complex characters. While the government officials are portrayed as ruthless and calculating, they are not entirely unsympathetic. They genuinely believe that they are protecting the country from a potentially dangerous alien threat, even if it means covering up the deaths of innocent people. Similarly, the alien species is not simply portrayed as a stereotypical "evil" force. As we learn more about them, we begin to see them as a culture and a society with their own goals and interests.

Overall, Hangar 18 is an engaging and thought-provoking science fiction film that is well worth watching. Its unique perspective on government cover-ups and alien encounters gives it a distinct place in the genre, while its solid storytelling and excellent pacing ensure that it remains exciting and engaging from start to finish.