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This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.

Hey YOU, Get Off Of My Cloud

Air Force One (1997) on IMDb

Plot Overview

jet pilotThree 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.

star burst SOSMeanwhile 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.