It’s a well known piece of movie trivia that Tom Selleck was the first choice to play Indiana Jones, but had to turn down the role due to his contractual obligations starring in the TV series Magnum, P.I. Indy’s huge success spawned a wave of adventure movies taking place in kind of an alternative pre WWII timeline, and seeing Selleck starring in one of these unofficial Indy spinoffs sort of completes the circle.

Having said all this it’s a shame High Road to China isn’t any better movie.

While it does get the sense of adventure right with the reluctant hero and the damsel in distress flying to multiple exotic locations, the events between the beautiful aviation shots mostly miss their mark. Prime example of this is the end when we are forced to watch through a showdown between two sides completely unknown to us from the former events of the movie.

I’m a sucker for adventure movies and there is admittedly some charm to High Road to China — but it’s mostly that of Selleck’s.

80s-o-meter: 38%

Total: 57%