Dec 18, 2005 04:42 PM
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(Updated Dec 18, 2005 05:49 PM)
Movie : Con Air
Director : Simon West
Starring : Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Monica Potter
Year of release : 1997
The Plot
Cameron Poe (NICOLAS CAGE), a former U.S. Ranger, gets imprisoned for eight years for killing a man during a drunken brawl in an attempt to protect his wife. Now on parole, he`s on a U.S. marshall plane that`s also transporting hardcore convicts including Cyrus `the Virus` (JOHN MALKOVICH), psychotic mass murderer `Marietta Mangler` Greene (STEVE BUSCEMI), racist killer `Diamond Dog` Nathan who hates whites (VING RHAMES) & serial rapist `Johnny-23` Baca (DANNY TREJO) to a maximum security prison. Situation turns horrifying when the convicts led by Cyrus, in a planned dare do, attack the marshalls and take over the plane. Cameron has two choice - either he can flee from the plane or stay back & save the lives of his diabetic fellow prisoner `Baby-O` Mike and woman U.S. marshall Sally (RACHEL TICOTIN). The U.S. Marshalls, the police & the military are alerted of the hijack & they`re fast closing in on the prisoners. Amidst this disaster, Cameron cannot trust anybody except Marshall Larkin (John Cusack) who also believes Cameron is innocent & should be saved. Will he be able to help Cameron & stop the other convicts in nick of time? Or will Cameron never get to see his beautiful wife Tricia (MONICA POTTER) & daughter again?
The Review
I have never seen Nicolas Cage so well-built before. This movie clicks for two reasons - one, the engrossing & racy action and two, Nicolas Cage in a muscled long-haired tough guy look.
We also see other cool line up of other stars on screen like John Cusack (America`s Sweethearts, Identity, Runaway Jury), John Malkovich (Johnny English, Man in the Iron Mask), Steve Buscemi (The Island, The Sopranos), Ving Rhames (Mission Impossible) & Monica Potter (Along came a Spider, Patch Adams) - another reason to watch this thriller.
And with a director like Simon West who had made some cool thrillers before like The General`s Daughter & Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider, we are assured of good entertainment.
The action is fast & keeps you riveted till the end. Tense scenes inside the airplane `Jailbird` sieged by the hardcore convicts and the encounter with the police forces at an abandoned airfield are managed masterfully & leaves our pulse racing.
With all that muscle, Nicolas Cage leaves us pleasantly surprised & performs like a true action hero. The long hair & stubble only added to his sinewy charms.
John Cusack impresses as the smart yet nervous U.S. Marshal Larkin.
Others like the villain John Malkovich, psychotic Steve Buscemi (he was endearing) & Colm Meaney as the irate DEA agent Malloy who`s always crossing swords with Marshall Larkin also do a cool job.
Danny Trejo as the rapist Baca also scores with his scar-faced evil look & performance.
However, pretty actress Monica Potter was wasted in a blink & miss role.
The movie could have been great with a fine balance of racy action & moving sentiments. Instead, it focused only on action & violence thereby dismissing many among the family audience.
Final word
A 3/5 movie - good racy thriller yet disappoints because of it`s focus on pure action.
