Ground Control

General Synopsis of the movie is that after a crash, a top rated Air traffic controller leaves the business. Then 5 years later is brought back for one night due to the facility being understaffed and too many planes coming in....

This movie actually should have been pegged as a drama instead of action/adventure...but be that as it may, it was rather good. One could go on and on about how it isn't realistic, but in truth...how many movies really are?

The title role of Jack Harris is played by Kiefer Sutherland. This is a key factor to the movies success. His uncanny ability to visibly portray emotions is essential to the role. As usual, he brings the "I'll do anything to make me a human on film" trademark with him. (Anyone for getting sick in the bathroom sink?) This trademark is what has endeared him over the years to so many fans and critics alike.

Also Staring were Robert Sean Leonard as the cocky hotshot air traffic controller; Bruce McGill as the overworked supervisor who pleads with Jack to come back, even if just for one night; Kelly McGillis as the politically minded administrator (she ends up being a good guy in the end); Kristy Swanson as the "newbie" air traffic controller fresh out of the academy; and our beloved Henry Winkler as the facility mechanic who keeps everything running, even though the equipment is old and some without replacement.

Although the movie is meant to "entertain", the whole crux of the movie is to tell a story about being an Air Traffic Controller and the absolute stress behind that job. This is something they did quite well.

All in all, it was a rather good film. It will hold interest up until the end and has a very climatic, edge of your seat, finish.

Who will like this movie? 1. Probably air traffic controllers (even though it might not be completely factual) 2. People who like a good human interest story 3. The over 40 crowd. 4. Kiefer fans

Who will not like this movie? Those whose mentalities require constant barrages of special effects, action, cussing, sex, violence and/or blood…pass on this one, it won't fill your needs.

Ending notes: If you fall into the "who will like this movie" group…definitely give it a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

"Ground Control" tells the story of Jack Harris, a former air-traffic controller who quit after a "situation" with a flight he was handling. Jack is pressed into service as an ATC again during a staffing crisis at the control center. Needless to say, Jack has brief "flashbacks" at work. Also needless to say, he steps in to "save the day" during an extraordinary problem at the control center. Predictable? Heavens, yes. Oddly enjoyable? Yeah, sure...keep your expectations low, though...

Jack Harris (Kiefer Sutherland) is an air traffic controller in Chicago, one of the best of the crew. His boss (Bruce McGill) values him highly. But, one tragic day, a plane goes down shortly after takeoff, killing over 150 passengers. Although it was NOT his fault, Jack goes off the deep end. In time, we learn he started drinking, went to re-hab and currently holds a job as a programmer for traffic control software. Flash forwarding a few years, the Chicago crew has a new boss, Susan (Kelly McGillis) who is out to prove something, even when it puts her underlings at risk. The operations manager (Henry Winkler) tries to tell her she is cutting corners with equipment while the comptroller (Michael Gross) is constantly annoying everyone. New AT controller Julie (Kristy Swanson) appears to be more timid than she should be. Things again comes to a crisis at the center, as Susan accepts more planes from a shut-down airport and some staff is off for the holidays. In desperation, the manager reaches out to Jack to "come back" to the station and help out NOW. Once there, will Mr. Harris have the skills and serenity to avoid another catastrophe? Will he be a hero or another victim? This by- the-book thriller has its good points, surely. The cast is the greatest asset, as the flat script is improved with their readings. Gross is a snarly hoot, as far from his understanding father in Families Ties as one can get. There is not much in the way of sets or costumes, as most action takes place inside the air traffic hub. Perhaps the direction deserves more than faint praise, for even with its formulaic premise, the movie does hold a viewer's interest. Therefore, if you like the cast members or disaster-themed films, this one will do for you.

'Ground Control' is probably the biggest surprise I've ever encountered since I became a movie fan years ago. It's incredibly well done, with great performances all around, and is seriously the best independent action film I've ever seen, if that could be imagined. The climax is truly riveting, aided by tight editing and strong direction. The real surprise with this movie is that almost all of it takes place in a single set, a fact that the director/editor managed to cover up. It seems that real care was poured into 'Ground Control', a rare feat these days with the countless B action flicks being pumped out each month, and it shows. It's sad that the movie didn't enjoy even a short theatrical run, as it more than deserves it, especially after the similar, and far inferior, 'Pushing Tin' making it into theaters a year later.

It's as if the producers managed to find the only actors that actually have talent and haven't yet made it big time, and casted them in this movie. Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys) is great in the main role, and is given strong support from Kelly McGillis (Top Gun, Witness- and the only real high profile actor in the film), Kristy Swanson (The Chase) and Robert Sean Leonard (Dead Poets Society)

The production values are unexpectantly high, especially for a movie on a budget like this one. Very good direction, commendable editing, and a superb script. The dialog is crisp and realistic, with a few really good one-liners, something I've never seen in a low budget action movie. The musical score is original and also very good, comparable to that of many large studio productions.

Despite a few flaws already pointed out in previous postings, I absolutely loved this movie, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in seeing a refreshing break from the norm.

9/10

i was bought this film as a gift and was not expecting much from it. After 10 minutes of the film i was hooked. The story line is a little predictable however, its done very well. Keifer Sutherland is at his best and delivers a great performance. It just goes to show that just because a film is not packed with special FX and CGI doesn't mean its not a top notch film.