Wolff rating: EXCELLENT
Plot summary: Terrorists take control of the U.S. President's plane.
Biased, pithy comments: This is the consumate chocolate-chip cookie movie---the kind of cookie you buy at the store and eat immediately and revel in its sinful rush. Sure, it isn't good for you, it isn't enlightening, and the high doesn't last as long as a good workout, but, ooh, it's instant gratification. I slapped my knee guffawing at the jingoism once, and I couldn't get the phrase from Letterman "Ass-kicking president" out of my head, but I had a great time and they didn't screw it up. Airplane disaster movies, especially those involving the President, have the potential to get really, really silly, and although this was silly in an implausible way, I never went beyond the edge of believeability; I never howled at the absurdity, nor gawked at the total lack of science (such as I did in, say, ``Executive Decision''). No, I had a good time, I was thrilled, and I was completely interested. This is one of the best ``Die Hard'' movies since, well, ``Die Hard.'' See it, and enjoy that chocolate rush.
Other Notes: Other reviewers have found this movie derivative---and it is. But, darn it, I really enjoyed myself.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson, Paul Guilfoyle, William H. Macy.
Directed by: Wolfgang Peterson