Mayday

This is a film that has the mark of an effort which runs as if it is a mini-series but suddenly realizes that, "Hey, our two-hour allotment is almost up, better end this thing quick." The first half of the film runs well, and engrosses the viewer, but there are too many threads left dangling and not enough time to tie them up neatly. What happens to the insurance people who want the plane to crash so that they can wiggle out of liability? What happens on Wake Island? Will the report go in about the errant missile? And wasn't the missile still intact when it hit the plane? How will they explain that? Too many holes and a movie that needed to run three hours at the least.

Pacific Global Flight 52 is headed from San Francisco to Japan when it has to change course due to storms. The new route takes the flight dangerously close to a restricted zone where a missile test is taking place.

John Berry is a 'weekend pilot' who ends up having to fly a very complicated aircraft, under adverse conditions, and get it back to the ground safely. Sharon is the flight attendant who has to help him. They are among the few who were not in the main cabin or the cockpit and therefore not affected by what happened. There were also passengers in a conference room, but they seemed to contribute little to the situation.

Cmdr. Slan shows little emotion over what has happened and, in fact, he cares more about the navy's reputation than the passengers on the plane. Even worse, Beneficial Insurance agent Anne Metz only cares about potential liability, which will be less if everyone on board dies in a crash away from a populated area. If, for example, the plane crashes into buildings in a large city, her company and Pacific Global could both go bankrupt.

I thought Aidan Quinn and Kelly Hu did a good job showing they could take charge of the situation. Dean Cain delivered a detached and uncaring attitude, very military, occasionally angry (but restrained, and for all the wrong reasons). Charles Dutton did a fine job as the admiral observing the missile test. The actor playing the older airline executive did a good job, while the younger man who worked directly with Metz came across as an unfeeling buffoon. The air traffic controllers seemed very professional, as did military pilot Lt. Matos, who investigated the missile situation up close.

To me, the action in the plane looked realistic, though I'm certainly no expert on what should have happened. The big event was quite exciting and scary. And the excitement occasionally returned. The events in the cockpit were pretty amazing if not miraculous, and it's incredible the new crew had their calm moments. They did work well together. But much of the tension came from what the various parties didn't know about what was going on, and from our heroes having to figure out certain things.

It was entertaining, whether realistic or not. One hopes the people on the ground would have more concern in real life.

This film may have been less far-fetched than the Nelson DeMille/Thomas Block novel on which it is based, but it lacks the tension which the authors provided so well. Director T.J. Scott is obviously constrained by the network-television format, which allows little blood and no coarse language -- still, he should have let the main characters look increasingly unkempt and sweaty after the accident. Other mistakes include a subplot involving several characters who weren't in the book, and some weakly interpreted villains (Johnson suffers the most; where is his swagger and sardonic humor).

This rates a 5 because the cast members do their best, the effects are good for a TV-movie, and there are a few nice touches (at one point the film refers to a change of terminology between the 1978 and 1997 versions of the novel). It's sad, though, that "Mayday" never got a big-budget blockbuster treatment.

-Tony

I thought it was good. Though I also heard it is true, not too sure. Thats why I came to this site. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was any truths that this movie was the basis upon because if that is true then it should be opening a lot of peoples eyes to a lot of things.

I don't see why people are giving it such bad credit - I thought it was well plotted and well done. Not to mention it does keep you on the edge of your seats!

Does anyone know if there was any truths in it though? IT would be great to know for sure or not. Most of the movie was about correct on what would happen also. (air compressure, shock, and the like).

I seriously thought it was a good movie, and NBS was right to show it. It wasn't a waste of television, if you ask me.

Thanks.

Considering this is a made for TV movie,the special effects were above the normal TV standard. Some good movie actors,Dean Cain and Adrian Quinn star in this film. I was able to purchase a DVD copy of this film,Mayday,through the German DVD shops which can be found on the web-sites. Grant you,this a made for TV film, it was not bad. The special effects,when the missal hit the plane,was well done. If you should wish to purchase a copy of this DVD from Germany,make sure your DVD player plays the European standard,pal system,if it does not,your player will not be able to play it. Does your player play other region DVD's,check your manual. I the player was purchased in the USA or Canada,no doubt it is region one. Here in Canada,multi region DVD players are for sale,or,do this,on the internet,type in DVD hackers list,this list lists all the players that are capable of playing this region DVD. It also gives instructions on how to change the region codes on your player,many DVD player,this can be done. Good luck.