“Get off my plane!” —President Marshall
Today’s quick review: Air Force One. Following his announcement of a new, hard-line policy on war crimes and terrorism, President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) has his convictions put to the test when Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman), a Russian terrorist, hijacks Air Force One with the President and his family on board. As the only person on board to escape the terrorists, Marshall must wage a one-man war to take back the plane and save his family.
Air Force One is an action thriller with a straightforward premise and solid execution. Harrison Ford stars as an American president who is forced to take matters into his own hands to save his family. The movie follows the usual pattern of high-stakes action and spectacle, with only a few slight variations due to the unusual setting and the occupation of the hero. The result is a fun, if unsurprising, watch that makes good on its premise.
Air Force One delivers pure, uncomplicated action. President Marshall must use the few tricks at his disposal to stay one step ahead of Korshunov. The action consists of gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and a few dangerous scenarios specific to planes. The CGI comes across as a little dated and the drama isn’t as moving as it’s meant to be, but on the whole the action is satisfying and the plot gets plenty of mileage out of the premise.
Watch Air Force One when you’re in the mood for a straightforward, competently executed take on the action genre. Though not a standout movie, Air Force One has what it takes to make good on its promises. Skip it if you’re looking for a more cerebral thriller. For an action thriller with a similar setup and better execution, try Die Hard or Speed. For a more comical variant, try Con Air. For a low-key thriller with a similar premise, check out Non-Stop.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid action with few frills.