This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Hey YOU, Get Off Of My Cloud
Plot Overview
Three weeks after Russian commandos
rounded up hard-line dictator of Kazakhstan General Ivan Radek (Jurgen
Prochnow) some of his loyalists have infiltrated and taken over Air
Force One as it's returning from a goodwill tour of Russia. The
President of the United States James Marshall (Harrison Ford) is seen
beating a hasty retreat in an escape pod leaving his wife Grace (Wendy
Crewson) & 12-year-old daughter Alice (Liesel Matthews), members
of his delegation, his Secret Service detail—what's left of
it—, passengers and crew in the hands of the hijackers led by
Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) one mean s.o.b. whose pilot is now flying the plane. Ivan
threatens to kill a hostage every ½ hour until Gen. Radek is released from prison, which
would destabilize the region and give the lie to the President's “Be
afraid” speech.
Meanwhile a decorated Vietnam War vet,
Rambo wannabe has been overlooked in the fracas. He is hiding
out in the hold using the element of surprise to pick off the terrorists
one at a time. He manages to find a satellite phone and call the White
House to request air support from the escorting F–15's. The
lead F–15 pilot is understandably reluctant to shoot
a missile at Air Force One though truth be told under the circumstances
we're going to have to think outside of the box.
Ideology
Ivan Korshunov lays it on the line to the White House staff: “When you talk to the President, you might remind him that I am holding his wife, his daughter, his chief of staff, his national security advisor, his classified papers — and his baseball glove!” What's a body to do? Here's where the President steals the show. Mostly stealing is wrong, but in baseball a player is cheered for stealing a base. That happens when for the sake of the game he leaves his sphere of safety throwing caution to the wind and makes a daring dash down the base line. (Eccl. 7:16) “Be not righteous over much; … why shouldest thou destroy thyself?”
(Eccl. 7:16) “… neither make thyself over wise.” Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) has grounds and cabinet support to seize the presidency under the twenty-fifth amendment allowing her to do so when the Pres is incapacitated. It's not like they're in reliable communication with him, and even if they were, it could be argued he is not acting in role of president but as a husband and father. The camera hits the VP straight on capturing her expression of a deer caught in the headlights. Maybe she should pass on the succession as there are no good options. Whatever she does is going to ruin her electability, and that of any woman who follows after her. It's best here, I would think, that the batter distract the pitcher with mind games while the runner steals bases behind his back.
(Eccl. 7:17) “Be not over much wicked, … why shouldest thou die before thy time?” First daughter Alice Marshall tells Korshunov, “You are a monster, and my father is a great man. You're nothing like my father!” You know, being a monster terrorist is one really good way to reduce one's life span, goes with the territory.
(Eccl. 7:17) “… neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” And what's with rogue Secret Service agent Gibbs (Xander Berkeley) acting as inside man? It's one thing to, say, steal pens from the office, but it's quite another to steal Air Force One out of the sky. Talk about one-way trips.
Production Values
“” (1997) was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by Andrew W. Marlowe. It stars Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Dean Stockwell, Xander Berkeley, William H. Macey and Paul Guilfoyle. Ford is a credible president and a credible action figure. He did his own stunts. The cast sunk their teeth into their roles as well. The Russian terrorists—with the exception of their leader—were played by real Russians adding authenticity to the parts. One of them seems to be imitating Marlon Brando in his facial expressions, body language, and movements. Russians must be exposed to American films. The airplane shots were a seamless composite of big sets, real planes, models, and CGI.
MPAA rated it R for violence. The swearing was limited to cursing God under one's breath. An alternate version edited for TV pulls its punches on the mayhem. L'Internationale as sung in the movie by Russian prisoners was sung by Russian speakers acquired locally. Music was scored by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography done by Michael Ballhaus.
Review Conclusion w/ Christian Recommendation
“Air Force One” is an intense action and drama movie that doesn't let up. Just when you think it's about to wind down, it goes into extra innings. There is something so fundamentally American about it in its can-do attitude of tackling big problems that it makes one proud to be an American. The President comes across as a fit leader and an attentive family man. I highly recommend it.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability For Children: Not Suitable for Children of Any Age. Special effects: Absolutely first rate special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Five stars out of five.
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