Top notch cast, good idea, but tries too hard, and too PC

Rating: 5/10 (18 March 2001)

If you are after a mindless action film, which is especially good after a few drinks, then Con Air is for you. The film is full of cliche, which is not always a bad thing, and leads you nicely on to the obvious end.
The film centres on Cameron Poe an 'innocent' murderer and ex-soldier. Now being released he finds himself on an aircraft hi-jacked by the worst criminals in America, nicknamed 'Con Air'. The inevitable happens, of course.
John Malkovich, John Cusack, plus many others, are excellent actors, and steal the show. They, unfortunately, make Nicholas Cage look wooden, and encourage support for the 'baddies'.
Worse, still, the script tries too hard to involve 'comedy' ala Die Hard. Whilst the 'running gag' does tie the film together a bit, it is really quite risible. The script also is hampered by Political Correctness, and some of it's assertions on rape are just laughable. In short, don't think about the film too much, it'll turn you off it