Intense, Spine-Tingling Film that Keeps You on the Edge of Your Seat Throughout

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2014)

This is a suspenseful film that keeps you guessing until the end and it had me biting my nails from the beginning. This plot starts with an air marshal named Bill Marks (Liam Neeson) who is on a plane from New York to London. On the flight he receives a disturbing text that tells him, "I'll kill someone every 20 minutes" if Bill doesn't do what the person says. While trying everything to find the person who's sending him these messages, the passengers, crew and his boss start to think he's hijacking the plane. Even Bill starts to question himself. So with no one to trust and everyone against him, he must try to stop this anonymous character in this crowded plane.
With a plot like this, how can you not be somewhat interested? The movie keeps your attention and you really want to know what's going to happen. This movie's atmosphere is uncomfortable, which it's supposed to be. The wide angle lens is appropriate and makes the confined space even more real. The script is terrific! It's a perfect example of a movie where, once you watch it, you want to watch it again. All the pieces of the puzzle come together. There are reasons and evidence that lead you to the outcome without giving it away. That's a sign of a great mystery.
The acting in this film is fantastic and all the actors like Julianne Moore as Jen Summers, who had to act in these claustrophobic sets, do an impressive job portraying their roles. I enjoy Liam Neeson and fully appreciate his acting skills in this film. He shows why he continues to be a top rated star.
My favorite scene is when Bill thinks he's found and stopped the terrorist. For a moment Bill is relieved it's over. Then he hears his phone bing an incoming text and the music gets your heart racing.
The moral is, "Honesty is the best policy." The passengers and crew are against him because Bill's hiding the truth. As humans we automatically think the worse if we have to piece a situation together. Bill finally realizes that.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars and recommend this to 12 to 18-year-olds. There is smoking and intense moments that are not intended for kids. This is a investing and spine tingling film that is worth checking out.
Reviewed by Keefer B., KIDS FIRST Film Critic For more reviews, go to kidsfirst dot org.