Saturday 23 July 2011

Con Air (1997) Dir: Simon West


Big budget, explosive action thriller from the Simpson / Bruckheimer stable.

The plot:
A gaggle of the most ruthless killers and rapists in America are being transferred across the country by aeroplane. On board, along with the hardened sorts, is one Cameron Poe, played by that most equine of actors, Cic Nage. He's due for release when they reach their destination, due to see his daughter for the very first time and reunite with his estranged wife. He's not a bad sort, Poe, he just got in a bar fight and, with his military training, took things a little too far, trying to protect his wife so, as you can well imagine, when all hell breaks loose on board, and the convicts take control of the plane, Poe has to walk a fine line between helping the authorities bring down the cons, and staying alive.

And, for the first hour and a quarter, this is engagingly silly hokum.
Nage puts in a decent enough performance, though he does seem half asleep at times, and is sporting the most spectacular mullet since Andre Agassi won Wimbledon.
On board we have a motley collection of cult actors, including Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi and Danny Trejo so, instinctively, I warmed towards the picture, genuinely wanting to like it.
Then the explosions start.
And the gun fights.
And the shouting.
And the screaming.
And then there's more explosions.
And more.
And more.
And it does not relent until the credits roll some forty minutes later.
Seriously, it's like sitting watching a movie with a small child screaming in your ear, without pause.
By the time it was through,I was out of breath, my head hurt and, frankly, I just wanted it all to go away. Which is a shame, as it had all started so promisingly.
So, if punishingly loud explosions is what you are after, check this out.
If you are even vaguely human with normal human ears, I'd avoid it, to be honest.

3 out of 5

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