CON AIR
1/2
Dr T. White
Directed by: Simon West
Written by: Scott Rosenberg
Cast: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Rachel Ticotin, Ving Rhames and Monica Potter
Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer
Rating : **** 1/2
One word comes to mind when I think of CON AIR: Intense. No, wait, here's another one: Brutal. But wait! Here's still another one: COOL!!! Yeah, Con Air is definitely cool...far cooler, in my humble (but highly educated) opinion, than THE FIFTH ELEMENT (which, despite all of you who have berated me for my review of it, is diminishing in my esteem daily). But more on that in a few minutes...
CON AIR, a new movie from director Simon West (who is this guy? I've never heard of him!), takes place mostly during one really bad day for one Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), a former army Ranger who has spent the last eight years in prison for accidentally killing a drunk redneck who was hassling his wife, Tricia (Monica Potter). It shouldn't really be a bad day for Poe; after all, he's finally been paroled and is about to be released, on the birthday of his daughter, Casey (Landry Allbright), whom he has never seen.
Unfortunately, on this day, Poe is to be flown home on the Jail Bird, a high security airplane used to transport the baddest mother-trucking criminals in the USA. Of course, these criminals, being criminals, manage to take over the plane in mid-air and set course for an isolated air strip where they will be picked up and transported to some unnamed Latin American banana republic where they plan to spend the rest
of their lives drinking pina coladas and chasing hot native babes. The mastermind behind this scheme is Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom, played with understated mania by John Malkovich. Cyrus is joined by black militant and best-selling author Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones (Ving Rhames) and a bunch of assorted rapists and mass murderers; but the one who scares the hell out of all of them is Garland "The Marietta Mangler" Greene, played to perfection by perennial pervert and indie film regular, Steve Buscemi (remember him in FARGO?). Garland calmly explains to Poe that he once decapitated a woman, then wore her head as a hat for two days. Obviously, he's just the kind of guy you want sitting next to you on a long flight.
Poe wants no part of this little shindig; he just wants to go home to his family. And he even has a chance to leave, but turns it down. His military training has taught him never to leave a fallen comrade, and in this case the comrades are a diabetic con dying from a lack of insulin and a female guard (and it seems that these cons just don't know how to treat a lady). So Poe must find a way to not just survive, but rescue his friends and, in the process, kick some pervert butt, as the plane crashes on the Vegas strip. His only ally is US Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), a government agent on the ground trying to both bring down the plane and prevent the FBI from simply blasting the hell out of it.
Unlike many other action films (including THE FIFTH ELEMENT), Con Air manages to inject some much-needed humor at just the right moments, without diminishing the violent edge it has established (something that PULP FICTION did so successfully). This film features a cast that is unlikely, to say the least, for an action flick; but the combination of Cusak, Cage, Malkovich and Buscemi is, oddly enough, perfect. And although CON AIR has its share of explosions and car crashes, they are not what you will talk about the next day; you'll remember the tension created from the interactions of the characters, the brutality, and the sheer intensity of this film. A word of caution, though: If this film is not censored, don't take kids to see it. But if it is censored, don't even bother; it won't be the same.
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
Other film reviews by this writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with this writer's name.Other film reviews by other writers can also be obtained from the InkVault through key word searches.
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From: skyie (fwinztar@mgs.sch.edu.sg)
well, this article is quite informative. there is still for improvements though.
From: Roger Lim (roger@webvis.net)
Great Show!
From: Jon Arena (jarena21@msn.com)
I think that Con Air was a "fun" movie. But in the article written above, the writer says that the movie included "much needed humor". I suppose this person is talking about lines like, "Why couldn't you have just put down the bunny?" (after killing a convict in the plane), which I found childish. On top of that, this writer compared it to "The Fith Element", which I considered to be an excellent movie in terms of script, imagination, and acting. The only reason I did not enjoy Con Air as much as The Fith Element, is because of this childish, immiture portrail.
From: PopKoRn (larz@globalnet.co.uk)
Monica Potter is a stunning babe and i think that CON-AIR would not be the same without her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS MONICA!
From: mike (suitcase16@hotmail.com)
Hey, i agree with you guys, monica is one fuckable babe, if you know where I can get some pics of her, please email me the addresses thanks
From: Daniel Moura (daniel.moura@mandic.com.br)
I really need some pics of Monica Potter...What a babe... Please, send some adresses...
From: Jason Enderle (enderled@concentric.net)
I think that "Con Air" is the best movie of '97. I think that Nicholas Cage is the best actor still in the buisness. The part when they took off from the airport in the desert was the best. This is because of when Nicholas Cage got shot in the arm and he didn't care he just kept going. That was cool. That part was also cool because the car was flying behind the plane. Sincerely, Jason Enderle
From: Pär Johan Wedell (pjrulez@hotmail.com)
I LOVE MONICA POTTER!!!!Send me some pics if you have!!
From: tortue ()
Monica est une femme avec qui j'aimerais faire l'amour tout les soir. Je trouve qu'elle a de tres beau seins et qu'elle doit surment avoir une belle chatte.
From: Jester (lawrenmd@haslett.k12.mi.us)
Now Nicolas Cage ( Co-Stared with Sean Connery in The Rock) is in the hero's shoes as an army ranger who is accused of murder while defending his pregnent wife. Cage shows the same action pack acting and endearing sense of humor. His intense charactor backround makes his the best action hero yet. This movie unlike most actions isn't a senseless killing frenzy, it is a very engulfing and intense movie putting it's viewers on the edge of thier seat! This slam-bang action thriller is worth the the time and money.
From: FREAKboy44(Jester) (lawrenmd@haslett.k12.mi.us)
You suck Dr.T. Fifth Element is awesome. So shut up about it!!!!
From: GM (jmmk71@hotmail.com)
it'a a great movie nicolas cage is fantastic as always can anyone help me to find who sing or play the song "how do i live" in the end of the movie.......?
From: James Stoughton (stoughjs@jmu.edu / Wednesday, January 20, 1999 at 11:03:39)
You don't understand how much we love con air. The movie has come to define this year for me. Did you ever notice that DEA agent Simms looks like Pete Sampras? Every line in that movie has become funny. My friends were even Cyrus and Cameron for halloween.
From: dan smith england (n/a / Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 23:34:45)
Best film in a long time. Good show.
From: ARSE HOLE (n/a / Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 23:37:37)
THIS IS THE SHITEST FUCKING PAGE EVER
From: Emma Bunton[Yes the spice girl i'm not lying] (plopeta@hotmail.com / Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 23:44:04)
CONGRAGULATIONS on such a good film [and page] shame about the swareing girl power
From: (plopeta@hotmail.com / Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 23:45:40)
send me e;mail
From: GAY UNITED (millsrich@hotmail.com / Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 23:47:02)
YOUR FILM WAS COMPLETE AND UTTER CRAP
From: Frank (DjFlex1@juno.com / Sunday, March 21, 1999 at 11:25:11)
My God!!! Monica P.is so fine.....I need to see some pictures of her or at least a website so I could know other things about her cause she's awesome!
From: javier (aramburo007 at hotmail.com / Tuesday, April 6, 1999 at 02:45:52)
this film was really good and had a lot of action!!!!
