A showcase of the worst action movie tropes of the 90s

Rating: 3/10 (18 February 2016)

Con Air is a showcase of the worst tropes that plagued action films of the 90s. The unlikeable and badly acted lead character with some convoluted goal involving a child; the never-ending loud and violent explosion sequences; the villain who simply refuses to die, dragging the film's running time out beyond a level that is considered entertaining; a sparse selection of female characters that are furniture to fawn over or be rescued by testosterone-fuelled "hunks"; and an ending that celebrates the freedom of a hot-tempted soldier (or "American hero", as they are colloquially known) and a charismatic psychopath, a violent death for the villain and, of course, money. John Malkovich's charisma unfortunately can't save this piece of tat.