Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman and Glenn Close
‘A Captivating Thriller’
Not many movie-stars in Hollywood are as adored as Harrison Ford. Following rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Ford has turned into one of the finest actors in the film industry. Whether it’s space scavengers, whip-smart archaeologists or police officers, Ford has proven that he can portray a wide range of characters. Ford’s most common trademark running through all his films is a depiction of an angry hero. Ford has always excelled at playing characters with a short temper that are unable to control their emotions causing disaster. Through his engaging portrayals of angry heroes, Ford has achieved a huge fan following. Despite reaching age of retirement, Ford has proven he hasn’t lost commitment to make engaging entertainment. A living legend, Ford has made many unforgettable movies in his career worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Ford and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Air Force One” is definitely my favourite. Released back in 1997, Wolfgang Petersen’s movie offered an intimate portrait of doomed airplanes. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging story and powerful acting, it’s one of the best crime thrillers ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Harrison Ford, who embodies an airline pilot which is adored. Ultimately, what makes “Air Force One” a great movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about airplanes, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about doomed airplanes, there are countless reasons why “Air Force One” is a commemorated movie that is worth seeing.
“Air Force One” tells a story of an aircraft that is hijacked by scary terrorists causing tension. Harrison Ford portrays James Marshall, a bold president with a talent for resolving problems. James has often excelled managing a country without facing any adversity. However, James’ life forever changes when he is given the tough task of resolving a terrorism disaster. When an airline craft is hijacked by Russian nationalists, James is forced into a tricky situation. Facing the notorious terrorist Ivan (Gary Oldman), the president is faced with a tricky situation which causes immense tension. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, James is forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to solve terrorist disaster. Facing pain, James questions whether its possible to save a down-trodden airplane.
Wolfgang Petersen is fascinated with themes of terrorism. A strong filmmaker, Petersen has often made engaging movies about terrorists that cause grim disaster. With “Air Force One”, however, Petersen made his first ever airlines movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture airplanes facing catastrophes but he succeeded tremendously. Using breathtaking cinematography, Petersen captures a doomed airplane experiencing grim terrorism tragedy. Petersen effectively uses handheld camera to capture airplanes that experience a dilemma. For instance, the handheld visuals elevate the airplanes hijacking scene. During this intense scene, James faces tension when he discovers his airplane has being hijacked in a frightening situation. Through stunning handheld camera, Petersen creates a portrait of terrorism which is compelling. Handheld camera isn’t a simple technique to use in movies. As George Lucas’ “Star Wars” demonstrated, handheld camera enhances commemorated science-fiction films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through captivating visuals, Petersen captures doomed airplanes that face life-threatening tensions.
Another admirable aspect of “Air Force One” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Evoking Jerry Zucker’s “Airplane!”, Petersen uses the production of airplanes to convey terrorists that cause pain. Throughout the movie, the airplane plays a crucial role in showcasing terrorism tensions. For instance, setting of the airplane enhances the terrorist negotiation scene. During this intense scene, James negotiates a business deal with scary terrorists on his plane. Through stunning sets of airplanes, Petersen constructs a portrait of terrorism that’s captivating. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jerry Goldsmith’s commemorated music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the burden that airplanes bear. Using stunning production, Petersen captures doomed planes facing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Air Force One” is a movie about terrorism that is engaging. Petersen’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture airplanes that endure tensions by dramatic monologues. Throughout the movie, the monologues play a crucial role in capturing airplanes experiencing tensions. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the terrorism attack scene. During this intense scene; James delivers a speech towards the passengers of the airplane seeking to explain the stressful situation. Through monologues, Petersen creates a portrait of airplanes that audiences could easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” claimed, monologues elevate Indiana Jones movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Petersen captures the lives of airline pilots that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Harrison Ford delivers one of his best career performances as James Marshall. Ford first achieved appreciations for portraying space scavengers in science-fiction movies. With “Air Force One”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a president that seeks to rescue a doomed airplane facing catastrophe, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, heartfelt and emotional in his most memorable role. Ford has excelled at portraying heroes with a short temper, and “Air Force One” exhibited his strength as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, grief and courage of a commemorated president that seeks to save a plane facing catastrophe. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Harrison Ford, the supporting cast is also exceptional and worthy of appreciation. Gary Oldman is outstanding, bringing tension to a terrorist seeking to destroy airplanes enduring destruction. Glenn Close is captivating, and captures the fear of an airline passenger that faces despair. Lastly, William H. Macy merits appreiceiron. As an airline pilot, he brings an air of wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Air Force One” would earn recognition of everyone capturing airline pilots that face destruction. Unlike most movies about the lives of terrorists, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of anxiety, mental health and terrorism which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with American politics to appreciate it. Hence, “Air Force One” is one of those rare movies about airplanes that everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Harrison Ford would absolutely enjoy “Air Force One” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating airplane classic, it honours an actor which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about terrorists hijacking a doomed airplane, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has managed to gain a tremendous following through his abilities to create unforgettable movies which have never lost their abilities to entertain.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 