TURBULENCE 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
4 :-( :-( :-( :-( for the aeronautically impossible
Cast: Ray Liotta, Lauren Holly, Hector Elizondo, Ben Cross, Catherine Hicks, Rachel Ticotin, Brendan Gleeson Director: Robert Butler Screenplay: Jonathan Brett
This is going to be a 'how stupid do ya take me for', 'winge review' on an unhappy viewing of Turbulence.
1. There must be strict government regulations about the passage of one or more convicted felons aboard domestic flights - laws which protect the innocent passengers. I would be very unhappy about taking my family on board the same flight as two highly dangerous criminals.
2. I'm also confused about the use of fire arms on air flights. In 'Con Air', guns were strictly prohibited, even though the level of security needed was higher on that occasion than in 'Turbulence'. On this flight they allow four police officers to carry guns on board, yet these law enforcers somehow manage to get killed and blow a hole in the plane at the same time.
3. When taking a prisoner to the toilet, one police officer goes into the small toilet cubicle with the prisoner, and the other stands outside. I have no problem with this except why lock the door? Why not just leave the toilet door open, where both officers can keep an eye on the prisoner at all times? All part of the stupidity to help create situational tension.
4. Gunshots are heard, and the two remaining officers investigate the noise without cuffing the remaining prisoner to his seat. Trouble, trouble, boil and bubble! Soon after this, one officer struggles with the prisoner, whilst the other just watches at a safe distance holding his gun - excuse me, but how about lending your buddy a hand???
5. Lauren Holly (the stewardess) has locked herself in the cockpit (both pilots are dead) and is trying to program the auto pilot with help from outside. She allows herself to be distracted and lured outside (even when the plane is flying into a thunderstorm). Then wastes twenty minutes of the viewer's time exchanging sexual innuendoes with Ray Liotta, before finally realising he's evil. Yawn. When frightened, she runs through the plane closing curtains behind her and putting away fluffy toys in the luggage compartments above the seats!!!! Lauren, aren't you meant to be saving the plane? Get back to that cockpit right now!
6. Ray Liotta (the serial rapist), is on death row and wants to end it all with a 'big bang' - plummeting the plane into central district NY. He goes the long way about trying to do this: namely trying to kill Lauren, or sabotaging the plane's electrical systems. Wake up Ray, you have a gun in your hands. Don't throw those bullets away! Wait till the plane is nearer the city then blow several more holes in the plane. We have an oversupply of guns on the plane and ya didn't think of using one - not very smart for a serial killer.
7. Is it aerodynamically possible for large domestic airliners to fly upside down????
I'll also mention that Ray Liotta, who carries the same 'Ted Bundy' charm, overacts with his fun role as the serial killer; and Lauren Holly has given blondes a bad name. This movie made me laugh at its incredulous plot as much as it made me want to strangle whoever wrote the script.
Comment: Blah, blah, blah.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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