A film review by Adam Joyce
Con Air
Jerry Bruckenheimer and Nicolas Cage, respective producer and star of The Rock, team up again for an all action thrill ride titled Con Air.
Cameron Poe, played by Cage, with a newly found muscle-bound physique, is about to be released on parole to see his wife and 7 year old daughter - whom he has never before met. He has been counting down the days to his release from prison since being convicted of manslaughter for defending himself. Coincidentally his release date is his daughter's birthday and again, coincidentally, of course, he lands a ride home on a special plane for the transportation of criminals, with psychopaths, rapists and an assortment of the nastiest guys on Earth as his fellow passengers. This effectively sets up what is to follow.
The aircraft is inevitably captured by the criminals after take-off, with a particularly clever but evil character called Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, played solidly by John Malkovich, acting as the ring leader. All the criminals, Poe included, are released from their shackles, and the guards locked up. Although quite a few characters, guards and criminals inclusive, are killed in the exciting chaos of the capture - violence is what drives the narrative. Poe's only aim is to get home to see his wife and child, but stays on board the aircraft when given a chance to leave in order to save a friend.
Poe is the (stereo)typically heroic character, the wholly good saviour of the day, who acts in-line with the other criminals in order to save his friend. Meanwhile, the long arm of the law follows the aircraft. John Cusack plays Vince Larkin, the US Marshal who has the responsibility of looking after the aircraft, and finds himself trying to convince the DEA agent, Colm Meaney, not to have the plane shot down, but to spare it in the hope that Poe will help them.
Con Air supplies its audience with a very generous amount of action and violence. This is combined with a touch of comedy and those essential dramatic moments. The performances are convincing, especially from the lead actors, Cage, Cusack and Malkovich. It's particularly interesting to discover the histories and backgrounds to each of the criminals, one can even develop a peculiar fondness for some, and unlike some films, follow their individual efforts as opposed to a mass of unknown characters fighting the good guys.
The story is somewhat (to put it kindly) predictable and cliched, with a most unoriginally happy ending. Most of the characters are also heavily stereotyped, but what else would one expect in an action movie of this calibre? However, these seeming negatives detract nothing from an exciting, involving action packed film. Once Con Air gets flying, the action and interest doesn't stop. Essentially an entertaining film, one of the best action adventures of recent times (if you don't judge the script and plot). As impressive, if not moreso, than The Rock.
4 out of 5
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