Plane
The plane crash is usually only the beginning of the struggle.
Release date: 27 January 2023
Director: Jean-François Richet
Story by: Charles Cumming
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Cinematography: Brendan Galvin
Cast: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Lilly Krug, Daniella Pineda, Tony Goldwyn, Kelly Gale, Evan Dane Taylor
Summary
A pilot’s mettle is tested when he encounters terrible weather and a lightning strike while on his way to Tokyo, his last flight of the year, on New Year’s eve. He somehow successfully lands the plane but they end up in the hands of a gang of notorious kidnappers. Ironically, with the help of a convicted killer, and a handful of fighters, he manages to rescue the hostages and get back to his home in Hawaii safely.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Storyline
The movie starts off as slow burn and burns really slowly until more than halfway through the story. I’m almost certain most people won’t make it to the end of the movie, and I only did because I had already penned down this movie on my watch list and I wanted to write this review. I basically endured this movie for the entire first hour and there were barely any highlights for anyone to enjoy. It was highly lacklustre.
It’s actually a very scary story of a plane crash turned hostage situation, but I couldn’t bring myself to be terrified for anyone because the movie just didn’t sell the stakes well enough to me. When those 100 or so minutes were over, I realised I couldn’t get my time back. Not even that emotional phone call at the end could save the movie. I’d have been better off re-watching old episodes of Martin.
Costume and Setting
There’s not much to say in this regard. It feels like there weren’t more than two or three sets created for this movie. Costumes were some tee shirts and some khaki pants. Not that this takes points off for costume, but it doesn’t particularly add points either. The kidnappers were probably the most thought out group, but even that part seemed half-assed. Bullet-proof vests and bandanas, that’s about it.
It is worthy of note that the movie seems to have been made with very minimal use of green screens. Now whether or not that is a good thing is highly debatable. Maybe it would have been improved if they actually added a slew of special effects. Maybe it wouldn’t have. Who’s to say?
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I say this movie sucked. And I’m easily impressed.
Cinematography
I guess there were some moments. The fight scenes seemed like they were closely shot. But there was nothing impressive that happened, cinematography-wise in the movie. Not a single scene worthy of note. Perhaps a word can be said for the flight scenes in the first act when the plane loses power, but I honestly don’t think the movie was made with any Oscar nominations in mind.
The gun scenes in the third act with the final showdown were pretty amazing though. Especially with that long barrel firearm that shot through cars. That was some good stuff.
Brendan Galvin, you nor try.
Acting
Butler always gives me range! Every time I see him, I remember him as Leonidas and wonder if he still has his abs. Highly unlikely. But he definitely still has his acting skills. He’s always convincing. I genuinely thought he was a pilot, unno. The fight scenes were hardly believable, the acting was generally below par, the sets looked basic and shoddy,
Tony Goldwyn plays the role of crisis manager effectively. I haven’t seen him in too many movies/shows since Scandal, and I thought he was…well, okay. He wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t great either. He was just…okay. I guess when your grandfather owns MGM you can get away with being mediocre.
The world can do without the best — Timaya, 2019.
Rating
1D
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Drab.
Hmm. Super boring movie. Even Butler’s acting couldn’t save the day. The slowest burn I’ve ever experienced. And at about 90 minutes in, it still hadn’t taken off properly, no pun intended. Another money-laundering scheme, I presume. I wouldn’t waste my time with this movie if I were you.
