Con Air
Plot
Cameron Poe, a former US Marine, has just finished an 8 year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter while defending his pregnant wife.
On his plane ride home, a group of crazy convicts led by Cyrus “the virus” Grissom have (formed) and taken over the plane. Now Cameron on the plane, and US Marshall Vince Larkin on the ground are trying to work out how to bring the plane down and the convicts to custody.
Direction
Directed by Simon West – it is action aplenty – and has the look and feel of “other” action directors who were big in the mid to late 90s’.
Cast/Characters
Nicolas Cage plays Cameron. This is the third of his ‘action’ trilogy of the mid 90s (and only the second I’ve reviewed!)
He gives an overboard performance with a clunky ‘southern’ accent… but it’s Nicolas Cage – so the overacting is expected.
John Malkovich plays Cyrus. he is having a blast as the big bad of the film.
John Cusack plays Vince Larkin.
Other prominent cast members include many big names of the 90s, like Danny Trejo, Steve Buscemi (who plays a serial killer that everyone is afraid of) , Mykelti Williamson, Ving Rhames among others.
Breakdown
Yet another over abundance action flick that you don’t have to think too much about. It has become a cult classic since it was released, with great dialogue ad banter – with such classic lines as “put the bunny back in the box”.
This is cage’s third of his trio of action films of the mid 90s (after the rock and face off). The direction is fun and reminds me of Michael Bay’s direction with the over use of explosions and action. Considering that it has Trevor Rabin and Mark Mancina who have both worked with Bay – this is easy to find it familiar.
The film creates such a large extension of disbelief (but it’s so over the top you don’t care) – like how Larson is able to work out the cons plan so quickly-and that Grissom goes unnoticed when they drop off / pick up at Carson city.
There are no real ‘significant’ themes througout the movie, and it doesn’t make you think too much, so it’s a good cheesy popcorn flick for a night in. There is some heart in it, especially that Cameron is going home to meet his daughter for the first time, and being a dad of a daughter I will say this got to me (father daughter relationships always do!)
Overall
The nostalgia is strong with this one, with the banter dialogue, the exciting action narrative (like almost getting caught at Carson City), the action overload (at Lerner Airfield and then the final chase scene in Vegas), this is one film that is testosterone heavy!
Wait does Garland Greene escape in the end??
3.5/5
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