Piège en altitude

Inspired by the Korean Air F27 hijacking unfold on the 23 january 1971, the movie defenitely keep a tension during most of the acts.

The casting is on the spot and the performances are quite good.

However, as specified at the beginning of the movie, this is freely inspired by the event and lots of sequences are made only for dramatic purposes. The problem with that is the numerous irrational reactions of the passengers wich will probably make you wonder why people are reacting like that.

But the real major problem of this movie, in my opinion, and I noticed that this is often the case with movies produce by Sony, is the CGI.

All the planes shots looks way to fake, especially when you have in mind the Top Gun Maverick shots in mind. I saw more realistic videos from people who play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 maxout in 8K with mods.

Not an awful movie, but could have been way better.

Beware: this movie needs some time to get started and even the actual plane hijacking at first looks rather lame and uneventful, but this movie has a slow build up in suspsense and your patience willl be rewarded with a dramatic action packed final.

The good: leave it to the South Koreans to deliver another solid crime drama, they are masters at incorporating action AND drama and they pulll it off again.

Any bad? Dont expect fireworks, this is NOT a gungho action movie, but firstmost a DRAMA with really solid leading acting performances.

Based on a true story, which makes it even more impressive to watch...

How 'Hijack 1971' builds the tension is freaking crazy. It is gradual and follows a step-by-step manual, and it makes sure that each step is impactful enough. I don't think I've watched this quality of action sequences happening in planes in Korean movies. The CGI effect is satisfactory as well. There are some weaknesses, but they are not about technology itself, but how the director uses it is too outdated. Slow motion right after the bomb exploded is just too cliche and even cringy. Also, there are some tear-jerking soap opera moments that hinders the focus of the audience because the director intends to focus not only on action but also on the story of each character. Even so, I get the intention, and I'm glad that 'Hijack 1971' is not about CGI pew-pew. Because of that story, the movie brings more reality and thus tension and thrill in the end.

What to say other than this is a solid movie with a solid plot and solid CGI and solid acting. However, for a Korean film, I thought it fell short in comparison to some of the greats. I mean, not every movie would be great, but Koreans are exceptional with the balance of comedy and tragedy. Many Korean movies really move the emotions, having you laugh in tears in the beginning and sobbing uncontrollably in the end.

The reason a lot of Korean films are losing their strength is because they're trying too hard to copy Hollywood. This film would be one of those and so the story seems generic and the dialogues just move the story along without making any real impact. As such the movie doesn't leave much of an impression.

I think a better writer could've made this movie great by going back to what they do best, comedy and tragedy.

6/10.

'Hijack 1971' is a fact-based story of a pilot's heroic actions during a hijacking.

In 1968, a South Korean passenger aircraft was hijacked and flown to North Korea. Only 39 of the 50 passengers were repatriated, and the hijacker received a big sum of money for the plane. In 1971, the hijacker's brother, 22-year old Yong-dae, hijacks a plane and forces them to fly to North Korea.

With the pilot injured and blinded, First Officer Tae-in takes over the ranks as pilot. Armed with hand grenades, sole hijacker Yong-dae has the upper hand, with the passengers reeling in fear. Now, Tae-in and the passengers must devise a plan before reaching North Korea, in fear that they might follow the same fate as the passengers of the 1968 hijacked plane.

The film offers plenty of drama, action and suspense and is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat for its entire runtime.