Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy landing in Las Vegas

Rating: 4/10 (19 June 2005)

Not having seen this film in its commercial run, we decided to take a look at it. A sad mistake! This misguided project is a good way to spend about two hours watching the typical special effects that are thrown to viewers that want just that: mindless entertainment.
Never mind that the plot, as written by Scott Rosenberg, doesn't make one iota of sense. Never mind that the film, as directed by Simon West, doesn't add anything new to this genre. We just wanted to see how this thing was going to end and we weren't prepared for the apocalyptic finale director West decided to treat us to: an unscheduled arrival at Las Vegas strip!
The story of Cameron Poe, sent to prison for a crime that even a court appointed lawyer, would have got him acquitted, doesn't ring true. Not only that, but Nicolas Cage decided to play him with a beautiful long hair and a phony accent that renders him totally unbelievable. This predictable story doesn't convince anyone, but we realize it has to make Cameron look good at the end.
No wonder John Malkovich has fled to Europe to pursue more "arty" roles because as the villain of this film, he is a cliché. Steve Buscemi, a wonderful actor is lost in it, as well. John Cusack as agent Larkin is always a step behind where the bandits are. Colm Meaney, doesn't have anything to do. Ditto Ving Rhames and David Chappelle, a genial comic actor that could have provided more comic relief to the movie, but alas, he disappears much too quickly!
View the film at your own risk!