Défense d'atterrir

For those unfamiliar with the aviation term 'Emergency Declaration' (as I was), the film explains this in the beginning: If an aircraft cannot fly safely due to lack of fuel or other problems the pilot makes a declaration to the Authorities. This plane then has first priority to land.

As we discover in the film, though, although the pilot declared an emergency declaration, airports did not want the plane to land due to circumstances. So, lets start at the beginning and find out why. Jin-seok, a biochemist, uploaded a video to the Internet saying he is going to attack a plane. When Sergeant In-Ho sees the video, he decides to look into the matter despite his colleagues viewing it as a prank. Arriving at Jin-seok's apartment, though, they make a gruesome discovery.

Meantime ex-pilot Jae-hyuk and his young daughter Soo-min prepares to board a plane to Hawaii. When Soo-min accidentally notices Jae-hyuk hiding something under his skin, he starts following them and then takes the same plane.

On the plane, suicidal maniac Jae-hyuk releases a virus. With passengers starting getting infected - and dying - the film becomes a race against time to land and find help. However, this is easier said than done as we discover. The film takes so many turns and it is thrilling, exciting and nerve-wrecking.

'Emergency Declaration' is a very well made film with convincing performances from a seasoned cast, and a good score. It provides excitement for the entire 142 minutes runtime, and there honestly never was a dull moment. The film grabbed me from the beginning, and kept me glued to the screen and on the edge of my seat until that nail-biting finale. This is another fantastic Korean production.

So locally, the movie was pretty good. I think (almost) every scene was well shot, well acted, and even every plot point was a good choice and moved the movie forward. My only issue with this movie was that if failed to create tension properly. Once the 'problem' begins you kinda feel the same level of stress. There aren't many local periods of anxiety or triumph. Even when some story critical sub plots work out, it just doesn't feel like anything was gain because at the same time nothing was risked. A good movie, just needs to vary tension, and pacing to achieve that goal.

Ok so, the first half of this movie was amazing. The thrill was there, performances were solid, everything was set up for a brilliant fast paced film, but then it just kind of wandered off a bit and turned into something completely different. A lot of unrealistic moments towards the end which knocks some points off but there's also a tearjerker moment that adds some back. Main awards go to si wan as the villain who did exceptionally good, and then of course the rest of the cast did well to match. Overall i'd say watch, you're not going to be disappointed but you will feel some things just didnt need to happen.

A typical stab at a disaster movie from Korea, fairly good and watchable but instantly forgettable at the same time. My favourite Korean movies are their thrillers with harder bloody edges while this one lapses into shameless melodrama towards the climax. The first half, a tight thriller set on an aeroplane with a documentary feel, is certainly the best and keeps you watching thanks to strong direction and assured performances from Lee Byung-hun and Song Kang-ho among others. The second half is totally different, a wider-scale traditional disaster flick like one of those old AIRPORT movies of the 1970s. Not bad, but I wanted more.

A great movie with great actors and a pure thrill.

In a word, it was a beautiful film

This movie should be sent to the Oscars .. not the movie Escape from Mogadishu..