PASSENGER 57
A film review by Ken Johnson
Copyright 1993 Ken Johnson
95 min., R, Action, 1992 Director: Kevin Hooks Cast: Wesley Snipes, Bruce Payne, Tom Sizemore, Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Hooks, Ernie Lively
Bruce Payne is a British terrorist who is wanted for several plane bombings. The FBI catch Payne and transport him by plane to stand trial in another state. Payne, and a gang of his terrorists who have been strategically placed on the plane, take over the plane and hold all the passengers hostage. Payne didn't count on passenger 57, Wesley Snipes, who is one of the best terrorist annihilators in the business.
PASSENGER 57 is the newest action film out, and will be battling with Steven Segal's newest film UNDER SIEGE. I feel that UNDER SIEGE is better, but this film is definitely worth going to see. I suggest this film to fans of "shoot 'em up" action films. Others will most likely find this film a big waste of time and money. I highly recommend watching this film in the theaters, for it will be much more spectacular there. On a scale of zero to five, I give PASSENGER 57 a four. PASSENGER 57 is rated R for explicit language and violence.
PASSENGER 57 reminded me somewhat of the AIRPORT movies of the 70's in which a plane full of people got involved in a tragedy. That is about as far as the similarity goes. There are a few others, but to disclose them could spoil the movie. Bruce Payne gives the best performance in the film. He fits his role perfectly and is half the fun of seeing the film. Wesley Snipes, although he doesn't give the best performance, is able to handle the film. This not a dramatic film, so great performances are not needed (look at Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Steven Segal). He can walk around with a gun in this picture, and that is all he really needs to do. Wesley Snipes can do excellent performances, like in NEW JACK CITY, so I guess he decided to take it easy in this film.
The special effects for this film are very well done, and look real good on the big screen. The scenes involving the plane and the carnival will most likely not look quite as good on a small television set, but other than that, I think the rest of the movie will translate very well. The film is well written and has all the standard action film equipment: one very evil bad guy, one super-good good guy, one bimbo (for what ever reason they are thrown in for), and several people who can die well.
-------- Ken Johnson blj@mithrandir.cs.unh.edu
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