Former US Amy Ranger, Cameron Poe, has just been paroled for manslaughter, but must stop a group of violent and deadly criminals from escaping the country after they seize control of the pri... Read allFormer US Amy Ranger, Cameron Poe, has just been paroled for manslaughter, but must stop a group of violent and deadly criminals from escaping the country after they seize control of the prison transport plane he is on.Former US Amy Ranger, Cameron Poe, has just been paroled for manslaughter, but must stop a group of violent and deadly criminals from escaping the country after they seize control of the prison transport plane he is on.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 7 wins & 11 nominations total
- Sally-Can't Dance
- (as Renoly)
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- Writer
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The movie is filled with crazy over the top characters such as Pinball, Johnny-23, The Marietta Mangler and Sally-can't-dance. It has some of the best casting in a movie I have ever seen. The actors are all simply perfect for their roles. Especially John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi are excellent as always and their characters are the best of the movie even though Buscemi's character wasn't really needed at all. The introduction of the prisoners at the beginning of the movie is completely over the top but I love it! It possibly is one of my favorite scene's in cinema history when we first meet Cyrus the Virus and Diamond Dog, the music really sets the mood in that scene.
Of course the story is not important, it's all about explosions, shootings, fist fights and everything in between. But dislike other action movies "Con Air" actually has a story that I like, even though it's completely over the top. Although I think that the movie might had been better of without the Poe's family scene's and storyline, even though I still sort of like the emotional scene's between them. Also I think that Nicholas Cage is a bit too much of a good guy in the movie, not only does he help his friend on board, he even finds time to try and save all the cops their lives and that of the bunny present for his daughter.
A good thing is the excellent soundtrack by Trevor Rabin and Mark Mancina that gives the movie an extra 'cool' feeling.
One little point of critic is that the editing isn't always great. But I can live with that...
Perfect entertainment in a crazy over the top non-stop action movie! There are better action movies out there but not much.
8/10
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The ridiculous ending may be too much but once it starts you can't get off the speeding ride. After all, you are already on board so there's not much choice. Not only is there enough action and mayhem, the over the top characters fit right in with the over the top action.
Anyone who patronizes a Movie of this sort cannot complain because it is everything that is advertised. This is a frantic, loud, occasionally funny, Hoot. It has a number of quotable lines that would make any Comic Book fan proud.
This is quite a trashy triumph of Hollywood excess and is better than most of its type because of its outrageous audacity and unrestrained recklessness. The talent here from the Director to the Stars all contribute.
This is in a special category of Ultra-Budget escapism and it ranks in the upper echelons of mind-numbing madness with an atmosphere of testosterone and whimsy that is undeniably utter entertainment for those seeking this sort of thing.
The film's beginning sets a hopeful tone, we see the honorable Cage unjustly imprisoned and preparing to return to his home and the child he has never seen. Meanwhile, the penal system is filling the transport plane which will take Cage to freedom with a cast of the worst criminal psychos behind bars. There is an odd parallel to the beginning of _Stagecoach_ as the plane is loaded with the case of miscreants and a cursory description is given of each criminal. The film has a weakness for hyperbole, each character introduction, each scene, each explosion is meant to top the one before it.
Fortunately, the film does have a real ensemble cast, the full roster of villainous character actors: Malkovich, Rhames, Buscemi, Danny Trejo amongst the cons. The law is Cusack and Colm Meaney and Rachel Ticotin (Total Recall). Even Dave Chapelle is amongst the crooks.
Ultimately, the film maintains too straight a face during the ruckus. If you are going to ask the audience to accept one outrageous improbability after another, you need to keep it amusing. Chappelle keeps it funny while he's on screen but it's not long enough.
Unfortunately, the throttle has only one speed: pedal to the metal. Unlike Woo or McTiernan, who--predictable as they may arguably be--are able to build crescendos and know when to let off the gas, this one keeps on pushing harder and harder until we're feeling a bit catatonic. There is just a terrific amount of pyrotechnics and they use up twice as much powder each time. It never seems to end, which is usually a bad thing for an action movie.
But I shouldn't grouse too much. It is definitely an entertaining diversion, and Cage and Cusack are good in their roles, Colm Meaney is as always amusing. Malkovich and Buscemi are creepy enough but not the flamboyant psychos they could have been. Ironically, Cage has exactly that type of charisma (remember _Kiss of Death_, _Snake Eyes_, _Face Off_) but is forced to be restrain himself as the stolid ex-Army ranger.
Finally: what the HECK does bruckheimer have against Corvettes???
The story revolves around a flight containing some of the nation's most notorious criminals who are on their way to a new maximum security detention center. Little do the authorities know that they've plotted to take over the plane and use it to transport themselves to freedom. Luckily for the good guys, a recent parolee who just happens to be a highly decorated Army Ranger is also on board and he's not too keen on letting these guys have their way.
The premise may be fairly high concept but it's an intriguing one. I'd have to say that screenwriter Scott Rosenberg put together a pretty clever plot, even though the last act goes all out in terms of action and, as a result, strays into ludicrousness. There's also quite a bit of memorable dialogue, which is helped immensely by the excellent cast. Nicolas Cage & John Cusack are better than average as the good guys but in my opinion it's the bad guys who really stand out. John Malkovich is always worth watching and here he gives perhaps the movie's best performance as the main villain, Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom. His criminal brethren include the likes of Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo, Steve Buscemi, Dave Chappelle & M.C. Gainey. That's an impressive group in and of itself and it's supplemented by a few other standouts like Colm Meaney & Mykelti Williamson.
The movie's production values are up to snuff as well, which is no surprise considering that this was a summer blockbuster. The movie garnered an Oscar nomination for its sound along with one for the original song "How Do I Live" by Trisha Yearwood. In general, the movie shows the trademark quality of a Jerry Bruckheimer production.
Overall, I think that the movie delivers the goods for most of its running time but I find that the extended finale goes a bit too over the top. I can understand why they'd want to go out with a bang but I found the earlier stages to be more intricately plotted than a typical action movie and, as a result, more rewarding. In any case, the movie is worth watching for having a pretty nifty premise along with some entertaining performances from a nicely assembled cast.
Did you know
- TriviaDave Chappelle improvised many of his lines.
- Goofs(at around 5 mins) The judge that sentences Poe claims that Poe does not have the same right of defense because he is combat trained. While it is a common myth that people trained in combat, such as soldiers, martial artists, and boxers, have to register themselves as dangerous weapons, this is completely untrue. All people are held to the same standard regarding self defense, regardless of their combat training.
- Quotes
["Sweet Home Alabama" plays in background, to Poe and Baby-O]
Garland Greene: Define irony. Bunch of idiots dancing on a plane to a song made famous by a band that died in a plane crash.
- Alternate versionsIn the Finnish DVD version the death of Cyrus is slightly edited. The scene cuts away right before the rock-smashing weight hits his head.
- SoundtracksHow Do I Live
Written by Diane Warren
Performed by Trisha Yearwood
Courtesy of MCA Nashville, a division of MCA Records, Inc.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Riesgo en el aire
- Filming locations
- Ogden Airport - 3909 Airport Road, Ogden, Utah, USA(exchange of prisoners: Garland 'The Marietta Mangler' Greene gets on the plane at Carson City, Nevada)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $75,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $101,117,573
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $24,131,738
- Jun 8, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $224,012,234
- Runtime
- 1h 55m(115 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1