I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again. I
love a movie that delivers exactly what it promises and knows its role. This movie could not be more clear about
exactly what it is planning to give you.
Plane centers around Captain Brodie Torrance – who gives us all the character development we need about him while on a video call with his daughter on New Year’s Eve. He has one last flight to do with only 14 passengers and then he will join her in Hawaii for New Year’s. As he touches base with his flight crew, an unexpected criminal is added to his flight to be transported back to where ever after being caught somewhere (details are not important). He and the crew agree to just go with it because they all want to get home. The airport tower sends them on a fuel-saving shorter route through a bad storm, despite their misgivings.
After getting hit by lightning (they shouldn't have gone through that storm!), the plane goes down on a remote island near the Philippines. Unfortunately, this island is run by local bad guys (revolutionaries? Smugglers? Criminals?). They are so bad, the government will not come to that island any more, so Captain Torrance, his crew, the criminal, and the passengers are on their own. While the airline calls in help to reach them, Brodie has to keep them alive long enough to be rescued.
Simple and straightforward, this delightful little action
flick is directed by Jean-Francois Richet and goes from the first word. It is a
bit of a chastisement of the airlines who look to cut corners where possible,
but really it’s a Gerard Butler action movie in which he actually gets to use
his own accent. He’s great in these
types of flicks, but I never buy a fake American accent on him (sorry, Geostorm),
but here, he’s perfect as the pilot who will get his passengers home no matter
what.
Mike Colter is great as the transported criminal who while
guilty, still seems like a good dude. The two of them make great instant
partners as they collaborate to rescue the passengers once they become hostages.
Yoson An as the Samuel the co-pilot and Daniella Pineada as Bonnie the leader of the flight crew both understand the assignment and are perfect in their supporting roles. Each get just enough character development to give you concern about their well-being throughout the course of the movie.
Overall - The story is clear, the goals are understandable, and the action is fun and at just over an hour and a half – it is the perfect length for a movie like this. Also, bonus points for surprise Tony Goldwyn as the airline fixer who gets called in to start the process of finding and recovering the plane once it is lost. Grab your popcorn and settle in.
8 out of 10
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