An Excellent,Action-Packed And Explosive Action-Thriller. Nicolas Cage And Jerry Bruckheimer At Their Best.

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2015)

Con Air is an excellent,Action-packed and explosive Action-Thriller that combines terrific direction,a wonderful all-star cast,outstanding Action and a memorable score. All of those elements make Con Air not only one of my favorite Action Films but also of the best Action movies of the 1990s that is Nicolas Cage and Jerry Bruckheimer at their best.
Con Air tells the story of United States Army Ranger Cameron Poe(Nicolas Cage)who after serving 8 years in prison for manslaughter is getting out on parole and going home to his wife and daughter and to get home he has to board a plane that transfers prisoners. Unfortunately for Cameron the plane is taken over by convict Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom(John Malkovich)and other prisoners. Now,Cameron with the help of U.S Marshall Vince Larkin(John Cusack) has to stop Cyrus save the say and get home to see his family.
Con Air is a brilliant and exciting Action movie that was a Box Office hit in 1997 and is a film that I have loved ever since I saw it on Home Video during the late 1990s and in my opinion is not only one of the most enjoyable,watchable and defining Action movies of the 1990s but also one of the Nicolas Cage's and Jerry Bruckheimer's finest hours on the silver screen and is a big budget spectacle that is explosive as it is thrilling and is the true definition of a roller coaster ride that you just never want to end. Ranking alongside with The Rock(1996),Bad Boys(1995),Crimson Tide(1995),Enemy Of The State(1998),Black Hawk Down(2001),Top Gun(1986),Beverly Hills Cop I(1984 and II(1987)and Flashdance(1983)Con Air is one of the best productions from Jerry Bruckheimer. Con Air is one of those movies that whenever it's on television you just never turn it off and just gives viewers non-stop thrills and entertainment from start to finish and is the kind of movie you watch with a drink and popcorn. Con Air is a movie that is just re-watchable no matter how many times you watch it. This is a movie that has everything I love about Action films:great Action,memorable characters and great lines that are catchy all within a Die Hard type storyline with a very good twist,instead of terrorists taking over building it's prisoners taking over a plane. Another thing I also love about Con Air is that the movie never takes itself too seriously because it's a movie that is big,loud and over the top meaning that the film isn't going to win any Oscars,get tons of acclaim from major film critics or give viewers thought provoking story that is important,it's an Action movie for Action lovers. The movie also doesn't take itself too seriously because of the Humor thanks to the main and supporting characters(some who are straight forward and others who are weird and nutty)and with moments and scenes of wildness and fun. The Action scenes in Con Air are amazing,fast and intense and when you see the Action you don't want it to stop. There is tons of Action and more with gunfights,fist fights,explosions and heck there's even a car chase sequence and each of the Action scenes are big,in your face and done in Jerry Bruckheimer's style of quick and slow motion because like in any Jerry Bruckheimer production everything is far and beyond it's limits and the pace goes from 5 to 100 in seconds. The Action scenes will have Action fans glued to the screen and craving for more. The main character Cameron Poe is the tradition Action hero he's a one-man Army who is strong willed using his fists as well as his brains and can kick anyone's butt in the entire film but he's does it for a reason and that is to get home and see his wife and daughter. You also like Cameron because of his honor and loyalty to not only people but to certain principles and ideals that is true to his nature. You will root for Cameron Poe to survive and beat the bad guys. The ending of Con Air is outstanding and is filled with terrific Action and thrills that will have you cheering at the screen. A wonderful conclusion.
The cast is wonderful. Nicolas Cage is excellent and at his best as Cameron Poe,with Cage kicking butt with a Southern accent and mullet. John Cusack is terrific as Vince Larkin,a U.S Marshall. John Malkovich is brilliant and at his best as Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom,one of my favorite Action movie villains with Malkovich being charismatic and evil. Steve Buscemi is delightful as Garland 'The Marietta Mangler' Greene,a serial killer. Ving Rhames is great as Nathan 'Diamond Dog',Cyrus' partner in crime. Colm Meaney is wonderful as Duncan Malloy,a DEA Agent. Rachel Ticotin(Guard Sally Bishop),Mykelti Williamson(Mike 'Baby-O' O'Dell),Danny Trejo(Johnny-23),Nick Chinlund(William Billy Bedlam Bedford),M.C Gainey(Swamp Thing),Dave Chapelle(Joe Pinball Parker),Monica Potter(Tricia Poe),Renoly(Sally Can't Dance),Jesse Borrergo(Francisco Cindino),Steve Easton(Guard Falzon),Jose Zuniga(DEA Agent Willie Sims)John Roelius(Skip),Angela Featherstone(Ginny),Landry Albright(Casey Poe)and more give good performances as well.
The direction by Simon West is fantastic,with West bringing an energetic style and pace to the film while doing an incredible job with the Action scenes. Fine direction,West. There is also songs by Tricia Yearwood(How Do I Live)and the classic song by Lynyrd Skynyrd(Sweet Home Alabama).
The score by Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin is great,big and matches the tone of the movie perfectly. Nice score,Mancina and Rabin.
In final word,if you love Action Films,Nicolas Cage or Jerry Bruckheimer,I highly suggest you see Con Air,an excellent,Action-packed and explosive Action-Thriller that you will watch again and again. Highly Recommended. 10/10.