CON AIR

US, 1997, 115 minutes. Colour.
Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, John Cusack, Colm Meaney, Mykelti Williamson, Nick Chinlund, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Dave Chappelle, Rachel Ticotin, Danny Trejo, M.C. Gainey, Monica Potter, Jose Zuniga.
Directed by Simon West.

Con Air is an action movie, a blockbuster thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer. It is strong on special effects. However, the destruction of Las Vegas is more than over the top.

The film has a stronger plot and characters than usual. There are plenty of explosions and testosterone confrontations of the over-macho kind, but of its genre, it is good.

It takes us into areas that we are glad we need have nothing to do with – but many people do. A planeload of vicious criminals (and some criminally insane) are being transported under tight security to another prison. But the security is not nearly as tight as thought and the criminals take over the plane. An exemplary parolee is getting a ride home – and he stays to do the right thing. It is all very exciting – and, perhaps, those who dislike casinos will actually enjoy the mayhem that the crash-landing plane wreaks in Las Vegas.

Nicolas Cage is not merely a cipher-hero but a human being as well. Monica Potter is his wife. John Malkovich is always a sinister villain. John Cusack is the upright hero. There is an interesting performance by Steve Buscemi as a rather self-controlled serial killer.

This is a film designed to appeal to the macho in all of us.

1. A popular action film? The plausibility of the plot and characters? Of the action?

2. The film going over the top, the situation, Duncan Malloy and his pigheadedness, Cyrus and his mad villainy, the other mad prisoners, serial killers, rapists? The takeover of the plane? The security lax? The crashes and fights? The destruction of Las Vegas?

3. The action, the stunts, the special effects, the score?

4. Cameron Poe in action, coming home, his military service, love for his wife, pregnant? The taunts, the fight, drawing the knife, the death of the assailant? His being sentenced to prison? The special circumstances of his abilities as a military man and the eight-year sentence? The credits and his writing letters to his daughter, the exchange of photos, her return letters? His exercise regime, hard training? Building up to the parole, the conversations with his cellmate – and his hopes for the future?

5. His being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but redeeming himself?

6. Vince Larkin, the US marshal, commandeering the plane, the foolproof plan? The hopes to get the drug lord? The agent, being wired, Malloy giving him the gun? Malloy and his assertiveness, the DEA and its authority? The arguments? The security and the agent getting into the plane as a prisoner?

7. The Con Air flight, the prisoners, dangerous? Cyrus and his intelligence, his sardonic remarks? Supercilious attitudes? The contrast with Diamond Dog, the background of his ideals, his brutality? The rapist and his brutal attitudes? Garland Greene and his calm insanity? Billy Bedlam and his madness? The risks, security? Having Cameron Poe on board? The marshal taking his photo? His later getting it back?

8. Cameron, going to his daughter’s birthday, the photo, the background of his training, helping him in his saving the day?

9. The crew, the pilots, the air marshal, Sally Bishop, the target of the rapist’s attack? The reactions? Their being taken hostage?

10. The metal hidden in Cyrus’s hand, in Diamond Dog’s? Unlocking their handcuffs? The takeover, the gun? The DEA agent confronting Cyrus, his death? The imprisonment of the guards? The killing of the pilot? The takeover and the way that Cyrus managed it? Cyrus as leader, the plans? Six getting off the plane in Carson City? The plight of the diabetic man? Cameron changing his mind and staying on the plane?

11. The clashes between Duncan Malloy and Vince Larkin? Malloy and his bombastic attitudes? The DEA as superior? The reassurances? The issue of the phone call, Cyrus and his communication? The changing of the transponder? Malloy and his impulsiveness, going on the plane to the Grand Canyon and discovering the tourists?

12. In Carson City, the sandstorm, the changing, Cameron not going out of the plane, the refuelling, the man chatting at the airport, the takeoff, his being caught in the wheel? Dragging the plane? The body drop – and Cameron able to send a message to Larkin? Larkin receiving the message, taking Malloy’s car, driving to the airfield?

13. The dangers at the airfield, small, the runway, the small plane, the crash, digging out the plane? Deaths, Cameron hiding? Garland Greene and his being with the little girl, singing with her, playing games – and the initial suggestion that he had killed her? His not killing her?

14. Cameron, his effort, the need to find the insulin for the diabetic? In the medical kit? Sally Bishop, the attack from the rapist? Cameron tying the plane to the car, the car being lifted up, dropping – to Malloy’s dismay? Cameron and his being shot?

15. Larkin, hiding, his interview with Cameron’s wife and daughter, talking to Cameron and explaining the situation, trusting him?

16. The siege, the police arriving in numbers, the tactics of Cyrus, bottling up the traffic, the massacre? The plane taking off? Cyrus and his trying to find out the betrayer, the diabetic owning up, his being shot?

17. The issue at Las Vegas, the decision to land on the Strip, the attitude of the pilot? The consequent mayhem? The destruction of the casinos – and the over-the-top presentation?

18. Cyrus, the other prisoners, their deaths? Cyrus and the plan with the drug dealer, his taking off in his own plane, the crash? Cyrus in Las Vegas, the confrontation with Cameron, his being crushed?

19. Diamond Dog, any justification for his behaviour? His cause?

20. Garland Greene – and the irony of his sitting calmly in the casino winning money?

21. The reconciliation between Malloy and Larkin?

22. Cameron reunited with his wife and daughter, meeting his daughter for the first time? An emotional ending for such a macho film?