Con Air and Steve Busemi both rocks! ^-^

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2009)

I saw this movie a couple of times in the 90s. Seeing it again recently, it has lost none if it's shine and appeal as a fun popcorn action flick, with an all star cast, standing the test of time well with its pretty original story. Special kudos to Steve Busemi, who is been one of my favorite actors since Reservoir Dogs, for upping the humor factor in this movie.
Cameron Poe (Nic Cage) is a prison parolee hitching a ride to freedom after 8 years in prison to reunite with his wife and meet the daughter whom he's never seen before. He boards the known maximum security plane, Con Air, which also transports some of the worst criminals in the state. Trouble brews when guards are killed mid-air and the place is skyjacked, led by Cyrus 'The Virus' Crissom, (convincingly played by John Malkovich) and it's up to Poe to save the day.
There are the usual action film ingredients: lots of guns blasting off, staggering body counts, explosions reminiscent of Michael Bay's Bad Boys, that makes it so much fun to watch.
There' re a few heart-stopping moments which includes when Poe is nearly caught writing the plane's destination- Lerner Airfield- on a corpse before throwing it off the plane, alerting good US Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack) who seems to be only one on Poe's side in the law enforcement.
The film has its bits of humor like a car is tied behind the flying plane, then comes crashing down in front of its confused then dismayed owner Duncan Malloy (Colm Meany). The action mounts as the plane spins out of control, crashes into Las Vegas, creating chaos and plenty of room for spectacular destruction scenes where cars explode and horrified passer-by scream and scuttle in all direction for safety.
There are also some cheesy but fun lines from Cyrus: 'If you say a word about this, the next wings you see will belong to the flies buzzing over your rotting corpse.' And to Poe: 'Before I kill you, I just want to know that the last thing little Casey ever gets to smell will be my stinking breath'.
I practically enjoy the cameo from Steve Busemi, and only wish he'd have more screen time. My friend thinks I'm crazy, but I just find him cute and attractive in his weird, funny, fast-talking way. Here he portrays Garland 'The Marietta Mangler' Greene, who has butchered over 30 people in various gruesome ways, thus considered as a 'national treasure' by Cyrus. His pale composition, lanky frame and haunting eyes stood him out amidst the tough and muscular criminals. I love the part where he sings 'He's got the whole world in his hands' with the little girl and as the plane is crashing down. He also has some witty lines:
'Define Irony. Bunch of idiots dancing on a plane to a song (Sweet Home Alabama) made famous by a band that dies in a plane crash.' 'One girlI drove through 3 states wearing her head as a hat.' I don't care what my friend thinks, Steve Busemi rocks! To me he outshines Nic Cage here.
This film makes a good rental and a great buy, especially on a Saturday night. If you haven't already seen it, do it now. You won't regret it!