Red Eye : Sous haute pression

Every now and then you stumble upon a movie that you've never heard of, but that manages to catch your attention with a plot that's intriguing. In this case, it's about a woman on a late night flight who gets caught up somehow in a plot to assassinate the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

The woman is Lisa (played by Rachel McAdams.) Lisa is the manager of a fancy hotel in Miami where the Deputy Secretary stays when in the city. In the airport, waiting for her flight, Lisa is befriended by Jack (Cillian Murphy.) Jack is a friendly guy, basically seeming to be interested in hitting it off with a pretty woman like Lisa. And yet, it's clear from the start that there's something not quite right with the character; something creepy - even sinister. Murphy did a great job with this character. He, of course, is involved with the plot. His job is to coerce Lisa into using her clout as manager to change the Deputy Secretary's room to on where he'll be more vulnerable.

The whole thing leads up to a pretty exciting last 20-30 minutes, from the point at which Lisa manages to escape from Jack, and it turns into a pretty typical pursuit sort of movie as Jack chases Lisa (and sometimes Lisa chases Jack.) That's standard in a lot of ways, but still pretty well down, and it has you on the edge of your seat from time to time, waiting to see how it will turn out.

Director Wes Craven did a decent job of building the suspense in this. It starts out a bit slowly, but builds magnificently to that very exciting end, and in a lot of ways this has an underlying and very appropriate tongue in cheek feel to it, and it ends on a humorous note, going back to an obnoxious couple staying at the hotel, who are none too pleased that they've been inconvenienced by the assassination attempt. Overall, this is very well done. (7/10)

I've seen this film so many times and it is exciting and entertaining every time. This film works so well thanks to the way the antagonist was set up. You honestly would never have guessed!

The film holds a few interesting twists and surprises. Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams are both excellent and believable in their roles. Just like 'Speed' the film gets even more thrilling and interesting when you think its almost over. I absolutely love this!

I had fun watching Red Eye. It's not a masterpiece, but it's well directed and structured. Cillian Murphy and Rachel McAdams are perfect in the role. Yes, it's the same old story with a different setting but Wes Craven gave it a good pace. At least not another Scream with the usual college killer. It's nice when you can see a clean, coherent thriller even when originality doesn't stand out as its main character. Particularly from a film-maker like Craven that has brought so many innovative ideas to the thriller and horror genre in the past and that now just lends himself to bringing home what could have been a good TV movie had it not been released theatrically. Good job!

"Red Eye" is all about Lisa (McAdams) who is simply trying to get home during a bad weather snarl at the airport and finds herself stuck on a red-eye and flying headlong into a suspense drama. A busy, fun little no brainer, "Red Eye" begins like a romcom, morphs into a suspense/action flick, and takes you on a simple-minded but entertaining girl power ride as Lisa races with the clock to save the day. Probably worth the price of a DVD rental, "Red Eye" will play best with fans of rising star McAdams and those who no brain it to avoid it's many nagging plot holes. Keep expectations real for maximum enjoyment. (B-)

Unsurprisingly, one of Craven's lesser known features. Mostly due to its non-horror nature, with a severe lack of masked murderers and nightmarish masters. But that doesn't necessarily mean this thrilling flight should be dismissed, as its simplistic disposable nature provides some quality mid-air entertainment. A hotel manager, travelling on the red-eye flight to Miami, is tangled up in an assassination plot regarding one of her clients.

The plot is relatively straightforward, and severely undercooked to the point that its only purpose is to serve these two beautiful passengers a topic to discuss during their flight. The assassination attempt on Charles Keefe certainly holds no tension or substance. What this strand does provide though, is a more personal circumstance that gradually ramps up the thrills.

The gorgeously intelligent McAdams against the irrefutably handsome Murphy. A game of wits and beauty. Sleight of hand distractions to waste time and constructive messages sent to signal for help. Alas, her non-compliance may result in her father being assassinated also, which just made the situation extremely personal. This ultimatum, although tepid in ferocity due to the short runtime that meant Craven had to constantly prevent the story from stalling, certainly showcased some brilliant claustrophobic performances from the two leads. With McAdams breaking the "damsel in distress" archetype and Murphy harnessing his antagonistic intensity.

The flight itself was occasionally bumpy due to a turbulent script and the 90s aesthetic, but when that plane lands. Ooof! Go go go! We're firing all cylinders. This just went from 'Flight Simulator 98' to 'Top Gun' on amphetamines. McAdams is fleeing to save her father, Murphy is doing his best Gollum impression and Craven just keeps moving forward. No time for a Starbuck's at the airport. Drive down that freeway like a maniac and save the hotel! Oh, and the father. Sweet lord do I miss these brisk thrillers! Even Beltrami's notable score wafts the aroma of restlessness around the cabin.

Red Eye is apparently described to be psychological in nature. It's not. In the slightest. What it is though is a straight-forward disposable thriller that is here for a good time, not a long time. Plausible characters, claustrophobic environment and an intense third act results in a criminally overlooked film from Craven's catalogue.