Air Force One Review
by SR Boone (Boonedawg AT webtv DOT net)August 7th, 1997
A movie Review by S.R. Boone
Two things prevent Wolfgang Peterson's (DAS BOOT, IN THE LINE OF FIRE) lastest offering from suffering the same fate as the president's jet in Air Force One. First is America's need for a president of impeccable honesty, integrity, and action. Second is some terrific computerized flight footage.
Harrison Ford plays United States President James Marshall who delivers a strong anti-terrorism speech in Moscow only to discover that Air Force One has been infiltrated by Russian terrorists, led by Gary Oldman, who seek a reestablishment of good old Mother Russia. Further complicating Ford's world-wide call to arms against terrorism is the presence of the First Lady and Daughter on the hijacked fortress. After 90 minutes of gunfire and bloody corpses, good triumphs over evil and Ford has succesfully defended his title as Hollywood's leading action hero.
Ford and Oldman are terrific in the roles that suit them best: Everyman and psychotic heavy. While Ford delivers the goods in the best classic tradition in his well-conceived role, the multi-talented Oldman is wasted in his; his character seems to be Hollywood's plea to bring back the Cold War's black-and-white world. Ford has admitted he prefer's these roles and Oldman fits in nicely, too. Regardless, the acting is never in question with these two.
What is in question is the witer's decision to have Ford play with big guns instead of big brains. Watching Air Force One, one recalls The Fugitive and how a mediocre script was given a pulse by watching Ford stay one step ahead of his pursuer by out thinking him; or In the Line of FIre with it's philosophical cat-and-mouse games. This one is simply Die Hard 4. It's a tired formula, but it still works.
Standouts in a strong supporting are Dean Stockwell as a power hungry Secretary of Defence and William H. Macy as a crew member of the presidential liner.
Throughout the high-altitude dramatics are some outstanding shots of F-15s that come to Air Force One's aid. These are highlighted by two impressive displays of Air Force One's defensive manueverings. Even with it's climax teetering on the edge of credibility, Air Force One is a wildly entertaining ride from a director and star at the top of their games.
Rating: *** out of ****
Boonedawg@webtv.net
SRBoone
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