Blind Squirell!

Rating: 10/10 (30 November 2012)

Who is Captain Whip? Why do we care? Who was grandpa with the flying machine? He seemed interesting. How did he become a drunk? If they had included more drug snorting scenes it could have been worse. Or they could have had more completely absurd acrobatics by airliners (aerodynamically impossible). By the way, penetrating turbulent air too fast in any type of plane is a recipe for structural failure. So, movie NTSB failed to site that from flight data and radio transmission. So, firewalling the jet in "severe" turbulence by the drunk/high hero pilot is the probable cause. Also the portrayal of the first officer as some sort of whiny gutless Christian is silly and culminates into that novice home movie like scene in his hospital room. Really?!
The cancer patient in the stairwell of the hospital is the best thing in the movie. It was as if it was copy/pasted from another movie. Too bad we weren't watching that movie.
As for this ill attempt at moral juxtaposition, wow. "Alcoholic pilot does heroic act". Even a blind squirrel finds a nut. That doesn't mean he gets elected to head the nut finding committee. It damn sure doesn't mean that he gets responsibility for hundreds of people's lives. Truth isn't relative, sorry. It isn't convenient either.
The end was also kind of copy/pasted from some other movie. It would have been touching. Hell, maybe it was but by that point I just couldn't wait for the thing to end. Yes we understand that being an addict can destroy your life. Can we have some substance please? Also maybe a consultant to help with the flying stuff. This ain't Roger Rabbitt and this wasn't written for 13 year old boys. (except for the opening scene).
Just to be clear, I am in no way taking away from the undaunted hell that alcoholism is. I am taking away any confusion that might lead someone to believe that they are going to see a compelling story of heroism and redemption or beating the odds. (as is indicated by the real Robert Piche' event -sighted on this page)
Airline public relations fun:
The airlines have an unmatched safety record and despite some petty security hassle and the fact that the weather might cause occasional delay (how dare the weather) it's a pretty effective way to get around. (It's safer than getting in your car). I think this movie does them a disservice.
Sorry I wasted my time on this movie. Im sorry that i suggested to my wife that we should see it. The info above states that it is closely based on the Transant flight 336 from 2001. Uh, really?! I am a pilot. The Transant flight is a compelling story. This movie on the other hand is insulting to our intelligence. Below is a link to a documentary about the real event of the Transant flight 336:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WA4ZFRcU88Q
Those responsible for the creation of this movie should take a look in the responsibility mirror before pulling the trigger on some flung together shots that should still be on the editing floor. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. On this occasion it's certainly nosing around under the wrong tree.