Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

Year: 1989

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: David A. Prior

ActionAdventure

Former U.S. government operative Mike Thompson is summoned by his strict former boss Hanson to stop terrorist Mustapha, who escapes a maximum‑security military prison aboard a battleship with help from former agent‑turned‑mercenary Eddy Williams, armed with an unstoppable rapid‑fire, multi‑use machine gun the government wants back.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Rapid Fire (1989)

Trace every key event in Rapid Fire (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Infiltration of the battleship and release of Amed

Eddy Williams, a former US special agent turned mercenary, sneaks aboard a battleship disguised as a U.S. Navy officer. Armed with a rapid-firing, multi-purpose machine gun, he liberates Mustapha Amed from custody and opens fire on the crew. He escapes with Amed, leaving a trail of casualties behind him.

Night aboard the battleship Battleship
2

Thompson pulled out of retirement to hunt the terrorists

Mike Thompson, a former government agent, is forced to come out of retirement by Hansen to help track Williams and Amed. He must prevent a major terrorist strike using the dangerous multi-purpose weapon. The clock is ticking as the search begins.

Immediately after Amed's escape Agency HQ
3

Thompson enlists Pappy for the pursuit

To boost the manhunt, Thompson recruits his mercenary friend Pappy. The alliance signals a deeper collaboration against Williams and Amed.

Early pursuit Safehouse / meeting point
4

Corey Parker is assigned to shadow Thompson

Corey Parker, a seductive female agent, is assigned to shadow Thompson and report his moves. Her assignment introduces a tense dynamic, as surveillance and loyalty questions complicate the mission.

Early pursuit Agency HQ
5

The Vietnam grudge resurfaces

Williams and Thompson share a bitter history from Vietnam, where Williams tried to kill Thompson during a firefight and left him for dead. The past fuels their present duel as each man tries to outmaneuver the other.

Vietnam flashback Vietnam battlefield (flashback)
6

Williams learns Thompson is alive and uses a hostage ploy

When Williams learns Thompson is still alive, he decides to use Corey as a hostage to lure Thompson into a showdown. The hostage plan raises the stakes and tightens the timeline for the pursuit.

After learning Thompson survived Williams's hideout
7

Corey is kidnapped

Williams' men kidnap Corey Parker as part of the leverage against Thompson. They offer Thompson a grim choice to surrender in order to spare her life.

During the hostage plot Enemy operation site
8

Thompson and Pappy rescue Corey

Thompson, aided by Pappy, stages a daring rescue of Corey after she’s taken. They force one of Williams's henchmen to reveal the location of Williams's hideout.

Following the kidnapping Rescue site
9

Revealing Williams's hideout

From the informant, they learn Williams's base location and prepare for the final confrontation. The information directs their assault toward Williams's compound.

Before the assault Williams's base
10

Climactic assault on Williams's compound

Thompson, Pappy, and Corey launch a full assault on Williams's compound. A fierce gun battle erupts as Williams's men are wiped out in the ensuing chaos.

Final assault Williams's compound
11

Corey kills Amed

Corey Parker personally confronts Mustapha Amed and kills him as he tries to escape the compound. Her action eliminates a key threat to the mission.

During the assault Williams's compound
12

Williams and Thompson exchange gunfire

Williams arms his multi-purpose machine gun and exchanges heavy gunfire with Thompson. The duel between the two rivals escalates toward a decisive showdown.

Mid-conflict Williams's compound
13

Warehouse hand-to-hand duel

Cornered in a warehouse, Thompson and Williams engage in a brutal fistfight. Thompson gains the upper hand but hesitates to finish Williams off.

Climax Warehouse
14

Fail-safe code is changed and triggers self-destruct

Thompson secretly changes the weapon's fail-safe code, causing it to self-destruct if used improperly. Williams attempts to fire, only to trigger the weapon’s destruction.

Final moment Warehouse
15

Explosion ends Williams

The mega-weapon explodes and takes Williams with it as Thompson, Pappy, and Corey retreat. The mission ends with the demise of the antagonist and a narrow escape for the protagonists.

End scene Warehouse

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:33

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Rapid Fire Summary

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Rapid Fire Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Rapid Fire

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Rapid Fire

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