Fight or Flight

Fight or Flight is an unashamed genre mash-up that doesn't so much blend action and comedy as throw them into the overhead lockers and take off at full speed. Josh Hartnett leans into the absurdity with the same gusto Bruce Campbell brought to Evil Dead. All flailing limbs, deadpan one-liners, and a face that says, "I did not sign up for this." The film knows exactly what it is and, more importantly, what it isn't. It's not trying to be clever. It's trying to be fun, and it is.

There's a clear nod to Campbell's Ash in the way Hartnett navigates chaos. He somehow manages to be both the straight man and the punchline. At times, the film flirts with the ridiculousness of Snakes on a Plane. Just when you think it can't get more over-the-top, it throws in a set piece straight out of the John Wick playbook; if Wick were running on fumes and duct tape.

The violence is cartoonish. The humour lands more often than not. The pacing is tight enough to keep you buckled in. It's the kind of film that winks at the audience without smugness and invites you to enjoy the ride. You will.

It's a solid 7.5 out of 10. Not because it redefines the genre, but because it remembers what so many films forget. If you're going to be ridiculous, be really good at it.

Fight or Flight is a perfect example of a fun movie. So, what makes a fun action flick? Let's explore.

First, you have to have good pacing. Things need to move, plot points need to happen frequently, slow parts/character moments need to be relatively short. This movie succeeds.

Second, the action needs to be on the crazy side, a bit over-the-top. No holding back, no cowardly PG-13 rating. Blood and gore are a plus. And a cherry on top would be if the action is filmed clearly, easy for the viewer to see. This movie succeeds.

Third, add some humor, preferably organic to the premise as opposed to inserting random jokes. If the tone of the movie is bloody, then use the bloodiness for humor. Make me laugh at the extent of the carnage. This movie succeeds.

Josh Hartnett does a great job in this role, especially with the humor. I had an awesome time with this movie and would watch it again.

(1 viewing, 5/5/2025)

The plane scenes are great. There's a bit of humour, really good fight scenes and Josh Hartnett is really good as the lead. He's a good actor. Based on that 8.5 stars. But the American side of it was not good. I'm not sure why. The main lady boss is good and the sets are good but something on that side of the story didn't feel right. And that's weird for me. I don't see things as this part of the story and that part. It's just the story. Something was wrong with the American part that made it seem like a different story. It just didn't quite fit. Having said that the American side is relatively small. It's mainly Josh kicking butt on the plane. And I love it.

This film was better than I expected. Is it a masterpiece, definitely not, is it the worst thing I've ever seen definitely not.

It's very 90s esq cheesy action film based around a group of assasins trying to kill someone on a plane while a drunk former secret service operative tries to save her. Do not watch this film expecting to see an Oscar worthy great.

However, Josh Hartnett is really good and carries the film well. It's the first thing I've seen Charithra Chandran in and thought she was really good to. The action is over the top and stupid but at the same time entertaining.

The worst thing about the movie is the ending where the film is left unfinished and set up for a sequel, which is a huge pet hate of mine.

I always used to have some soft corner for Josh Hartnett and was sad that over the years he didn't get a proper script to showcase his skills. The last good movie of his that I watched was Lucky Number Slevin and may be you can count 30 Days of Night too and since then I was expecting something good but didn't get any. Thanks to Guy Ritchie for bringing him back in Wrath of Man which somehow brought him into the limelight and he got to work with good directors from there on (sort of like KEANU REEVES who by the way is one of my favourites).

Fight or Flight is simply John wick on a plane but added a bit of humour to it so that the audiences won't find it to be boring and repetitive and added to that the surprise ending by the director made it more interesting. I never knew Josh could perform such slick moves and I hope he had fun filming them. Just for Josh and his never before stunts you could give this a try.