Con Air

Plot synopsis:
Honorably discharged Army Ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is given a ten-year prison sentence on charges for using excessive force on a drunk man who attempted to attack his pregnant wife Tricia (Monica Potter), leading to killing the man. Finally Poe is paroled eight years later, and is to be released after being flown to Alabama on the Jailbird, a C-123K transport prison aircraft. Along with Poe are several other prisoners including his diabetic cellmate and friend Mike "Baby-O" O'Dell (Mykelti Williamson), who is being transferred (but not yet paroled) with Poe. The transfer is being overseen by U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), as the transfer includes notorious criminal mastermind Cyrus "Cyrus The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich), gangster and Black Guerrilla member Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones (Ving Rhames), serial rapist John "Johnny 23" Baca (Danny Trejo), and mass murderer William "Billy Bedlam" Bedford (Nick Chinlund) for their transfer to a new Supermax prison. Larkin is approached at the last minute by DEA agents Duncan Malloy (Colm Meaney) and Willie Sims (Jose Zuniga), who ask for Sims to be brought aboard undercover as a prisoner so that he can extract more information from drug kingpin Francisco Cindino (Jesse Borrego), a prisoner that is to be picked up at Carson City, Nevada en route. Larkin agrees, unaware that Malloy has hidden a gun on Sims' body.
As the Jailbird takes off, another prisoner Joe "Pinball" Parker (Dave Chappelle) incites a riot, allowing him to set free Diamond Dog and Grissom. Grissom quickly rushes to the cockpit, killing the first officer and forcing the captain to continue to fly the aircraft. Grissom then announces the prisoners' takeover of the Jailbird and takes the prison guards hostage. Sims attempts to control the situation only to be killed by Grissom. Poe feigns cooperation with the other prisoners as they prepare to offload guards and the captain disguised as prisoners at Carson City; Poe is able to sneak a recording device Sims had onto one of the now tied up guards. The transfer proceeds, among the new prisoners are Cindino, pilot "Swamp Thing" Williams (M. C. Gainey), transvestite drug dealer Ramon "Sally Can't Dance" Martinez (Renoly Santiago), and serial killer Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi), AKA "the Marietta Mangler," whose murders make "The Manson family look like the Partridge family". Pinball takes the aircraft's transponder and plants it on a small sightseeing aircraft. Just as Larkin discovers information in Grissom's cell that indicates this escape attempt has been planned with Cindino, the recording device is found and the other prison guards recognize the tied up guards. Once noticing the police cars headed their way, the Jailbird immediately takes off.
Malloy berates Larkin for assigning incompetent guards to the transport aircraft and then chases off after the transponder. On the Jailbird, Grissom reveals that they will be landing at Lerner Airfield, a former air base where Cindino has arranged passage for them all to a non-extradition country. Poe finds Pinball's body stuck in the landing gear, the convict not having made it back in time, and secretly writes a message to Larkin about Lerner Airfield before pushing it out of the aircraft. The body lands in the middle of Fresno, California, and Larkin is alerted, ordering the National Guard to head there while he drives to the airfield himself in Malloy's sports car.
Billy Bedlam discovers Poe's true identity after going through his personal possessions, identifying him as a parolee and former Ranger, and Poe is forced to kill Bedlam when he charges at Poe. At Lerner, the aircraft overruns the small runway and grounds itself. There is no immediate sign of Cindino's aircraft and Grissom orders the prisoners to start to dig out the plane. Poe uses the time to locate insulin shots for Baby-O, and happens upon Larkin. The two quickly brief each other on the situation as Poe has to return before suspicion is raised. Larkin encounters Cindino with his agents preparing a small jet for departure and is able to sabotage it on takeoff. Grissom realizes Cindino's deception on planning on leaving the prisoners behind and kills him by burning him with the aircraft as it explodes.
Meanwhile, Johnny 23, assigned to watch for trouble, spots the approaching National Guard and alerts the others. The prisoners equip themselves with assault rifles in the aircraft that were originally intended for corrections officers and prepare to massacre the troops in an aircraft graveyard. However, Larkin is able to save most of the troops using a bulldozer as a bullet shield, forcing the prisoners to retreat to the Jailbird and prepare for take off. Poe, after giving Baby-O his shots, tries to escape with him and a female guard who had been protecting herself from Johnny 23 aboard, but the aircraft has taken off by the time they are ready.
Poe's identity and true intent is revealed to the prisoners when Diamond Dog discovers Billy Bedlam's corpse and Poe's possessions. As Grissom wounds Baby-O and is about to kill Poe, Larkin and Malloy arrives with Bell AH-1 Cobra assault helicopters and fire upon the Jailbird, damaging its engines and draining its fuel tank. After being persuaded by Poe not to fire and Larkin revealing his identity as a parolee, Malloy joins forces. When the two order the plane to land at McCarran International Airport, Swamp Thing is forced to crash-land the plane in the only open paved surface nearby, the Las Vegas Strip. The aircraft causes a great deal of destruction as it skids to a stop in front of a casino. The ensuing chaos allows Grissom, Diamond Dog, and Swamp Thing to escape on a fire truck while Las Vegas police secure the area and apprehend the other prisoners. Poe and Larkin team up to chase down the trio, eventually killing all three. Poe thanks Larkin and tells him he is now someone whom he can trust, and then goes to reunite with Tricia and his daughter whom he has never met.
Garland Greene's fate after the crash is revealed: he is now a free man, gambling and drinking while on a winning streak at a casino, seemingly giving up his life of crime, although it is not known whether the police later apprehend him.

Tags: suspenseful, murder, violence, cult, action, revenge

Review:
Also I think that Nicholas Cage is a bit too much of a good guy in the movie, not only does he help his friend on board, he even finds time to try and save all the cops their lives and that of the bunny present for his daughter.A good thing is the excellent soundtrack by Trevor Rabin and Mark Mancina that gives the movie an extra 'cool' feeling.One little point of critic is that the editing isn't always great.
Jerry Bruckheimer's production style rarely makes a good movie but Con Air is one of those rare exceptions in which all the OTT mayhem and full-on action make a film so exciting it scorches when you watch it.Nic Cage (in a typically bad performance) is Cameron Poe, a US Ranger who is sent to prison for accidentally killing a thug who attacks his pregnant wife.
There's Cyrus the Virus (John Malkovich), an articulate, thoughtful madman with a penchant for automatic weapons; Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), a black militant and Cyrus' trusted lieutenant (or so Cyrus thinks, at any rate); Johnny 23 (Danny Trejo), a serial rapist; Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi), a serial killer in the Hannibal Lecter vein who is treated as the resident prison celebrity; and a good half-dozen other colorful characters to flesh out this flying rogues' gallery of nightmare criminals.
Under Cyrus' direction, the criminals take control of the plane, and it's up to the beleaguered Poe to save the day, with some help from good-guy U.S. Marshal Larkin (John Cusack) on the ground, who's seemingly the only person in U.S. law enforcement capable of deciphering Poe's brief and cryptic messages to the authorities.The film moves along at a brisk pace, cheerfully glossing over its own improbabilities.
just like Diamond Dog. The movie simply doesn't have room for both villains (and it definitely doesn't have room for the Lecter-inspired Garland Green, who Steve Buscemi turns into an odd sort of comic relief, but otherwise serves no purpose in the film.)  ONE villain would've been plenty.
Personally, I'd recommend watching `The Rock' instead it's by far the best of the recent spate of Bruckheimer action flicks  but  `Con Air', for all its excesses, has its own good moments, too.
The acting is good, and the film has a surprisingly large amount of well-known good actors; Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Danny Trejo, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames and John Malkovich.
Meanwhile, United States Marshal Vincent Larkin (John Cusack) is trying to help Cameron get free and stop the criminals, including Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich).Everyone in the cast is great and Nic Cage's Cameron Poe is one of my favorite action heroes of all time.
Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Renoly Santiago, Danny Trejo, Mykelti Williamson, Rachel Ticotin, Colm Meaney, Dave Chappelle, Nick Chinlund, Steve Buscemi, Monica Potter and M.
The film borrows its title from the nickname of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System.10/10 Grade: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval Studio: Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Pictures Jerry Bruckheimer Films Starring: Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Ving Rhames, Renoly Santiago, Danny Trejo, Mykelti Williamson, Rachel Ticotin, Colm Meaney, Dave Chappelle, Nick Chinlund, Steve Buscemi, Monica Potter, M.
CON AIR has a good enough premise to make the audience forget about some rather obvious plot holes like the good guy Cameron Poe getting sent down on a manslaughter charge ( It was self defence and no one in America would be convicted of defending themself especially if it`s a serviceman against a red neck scum bag ) , but there`s something missing from the movie that stops it being a classic action thriller which is a great pity because I do remember seeing the trailers and thinking CON AIR would be worth watching .
In fact when you stop to examine the script it contains next to no substance whatsoever , it`s a simple contrived tale of a good guy being in the wrong place at the wrong time saving the day and watch out for some clumsy scripting where it looks like there`s a traitor amongst the feds and this becomes quickly forgotten about by the end of the film .
Likewise John Malkovich is seriously miscast as the main baddie but I guess Gary Oldman would be a too obvious casting choice and being a Jerry Bruckheimer production the real stars are the explosions and stunt sequences I wanted to like CON AIR a lot but it`s spoiled by its shallow blockbuster roots.
Playing everything from a romantic lead in "It Could Happen To You" and Moonstruck" to dramatic roles in "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Bringing Out The Dead" to comedic roles in "Trapped In Paradise" and "Guarding Tess." Cage is the ultimate action star combining all of these elements to bring home the role of Cameron Poe. For this reason, I'm proud to call him one of my favorite actors.Monica Potter and young newcomer Landry Albright star as Cameron's wife and daughter to whom he is flying home to after being paroled.
I commend director Simon West, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer on how well they put together the action sequences and bringing together the tremendous cast without any clash of egos.Finally, the one thing that signed, sealed, and delivered this movie was the signature song performed by Trisha Yearwood called "How Do I Live." It remains my favorite song even today, five years after "Con Air" was released.This is an action packed film from start to finish that has a believable plot; as well as comedic moments at times with great one-liners by various actors.
Like Face / Off, Con Air works best when you don't think too hard about what you are watching, though it must be said that the first 2/3 of the film are pretty good – if formulaic.Nic Cage is returned serviceman Cameron Poe, home to see his pregnant wife who works as a waitress, after a spell away – the fact that his wife is pregnant means he was either stationed for far less than 9 months (she wasn't even "showing" upon his return) or that perhaps he might have cause to wonder how she picks up her tips In any case on the first night some local hicks poke fun at Poe, then confront him in the car park where a fight breaks out.
While behind bars he wiles away the time improving himself, working out, writing hokey letters to wife and daughter and growing a bad-ass redneck mullet – according to the montage we are shown anyway.If that wasn't "Awww shucks" enough his day of release coincides with his daughter's birthday, and seeing Poe didn't want his daughter to see him in a cage this will be their first meeting.Don't worry I'm sure there will be absolutely no hiccups.Poe is scheduled to board a plane that will take him home to be released, only it happens to also be transporting some of the most seriously deranged and violent criminals to a newly created facility to house "the worst of the worst".
This gives Vince Larkin (John Cusack) good reason to list the various body counts and worst aspects of the inmates, who have names like Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), Pinball (Dave Chappelle), Johnny 23 (Danny Trejo) and Cyrus "the Virus" (John Malkovich).As a special matter a Drug Enforcement Agency operative will be boarding undercover as a prisoner to try to uncover information from one of the inmates – this is at the behest of the DEA boss Molloy (Colm Meaney), though in reality Molloy's character only exists to provide friction between he and Larkin, and to make bad decisions to allow Larkin to fix them in heroic fashion.Once aboard it takes all of 14 seconds for the locked up criminals to undo months of prevention and security planning and take over the plane.
(I know this was over a decade ago but I know they had pretty good radar equipment even back then!) Anyway in between the gun battles, explosions and macho talk that includes some gems as:"I said, put the bunny back in the box!" and"I drove through three states wearing her head as a hat." John Malkovich lends credibility and genuine menace as Cyrus the Virus and John Cusack tries in vain to make the Larkin character work as the voice of reason, though if you consider most of his arguments with Molloy and his own boss his suggestions and protests are often plain wrong.There is a creepy "Well did he" subplot involving a young girl which seemed unnecessary in a mindless shoot 'em up and the longer the movie goes the more ludicrous and laughable it all becomes.Final Rating – 5.5 / 10.
Amongst the prisoners is Cameron Poe who is on his way home to his family and tries his best to see to it that it happens.There is a lot of action in the movie, almost from start to end, and it nicely choreographed and executed.
this is another action packed thrill ride,though i didn't like it as much as "The Rock" another action adventure thrill ride which came out the year previous.Nic Cage stars in both of these movies,though in "Con Air",Cage is the main focus,whereas "The Rock" was an ensemble cast.any way,in this movie(Con Air)Cage is the lead star and the the main action hero,though he does have some help.the action scenes in this movie are great,though not always believable.there is also a semblance of a story which we are told near the beginning of the film.this sets up the action nicely.there are some big names in this movie,including John Cusack ,John Malkovich, Ving Rames, and Colm Meany.Danny Trejo puts in a very good performance,as well.but it's Steve Buscemi who provides the comic relief,in his usual wry, sardonic way.but,like i said,it's Nic Cage that takes centre stage as the action hero,and he is very credible in my opinion.before i forget,i must mention that the movie also has some dramatic moments which work good.i also like the soundtrack.i thought it suited the movie very well.overall,i liked this movie lot and would recommend it for action fans.i give "Con Air" 8.5/10.
This is one of the those action movies that would be super if it had only shown restraint and cut down on a bunch of the violence The action is ridiculous: almost non- stop from the opening minutes to a totally-outlandish finish Don't some of these filmmakers have a clue how to balance action and lulls?As mentioned, this movie had enough going for it so it could have been really good, thanks to guys like Nicholas Cage, John Cusack John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi.
The idiotic dialogues; the terribly overexposed, mostly misplaced and pointless effects; the obvious physical impossibility of so many scenes that were supposed to be "for real"; the irritating, horrible acting of so many of the cast - who probably were contesting for the "Triple worst actor" Golden Raspberry awards; the infinite clichés - especially this about the innocent convict, who not only has to beat the bad guys, but also the police, the government and the military, which, of course, are not aware of the situation, so unwillingly help the bad ones and handicap the hero - yet he will overcome the difficulties (or rather - the impossibilities) and prevail in the end - and they will arrive only to witness the spoils of his smashing victory, to shake his hand and to apologize that they almost killed him (I'm not sure if "the-authority-shakes-hands-and-thanks-the-hero-for-the-good-job" scene was in the film, but in the last minutes it had turned into such an omnipotent mess, that my head turned into a pumpkin); and on top of it - the serial child killer, who happened to be so nice person: this almost brought me to tears; and so many more - from beginning to end, embroidered in every second of this movie disaster...
It is a complicated matter which is best explained through another comparison with the Rock : both times he played a sensitive hero, making good use of his personal charisma, but the emotional background Scott Rosenberg came up with for Con Air feel like a lame excuse to put a likable one-man army on screen.
Con Air is about as original as asphalt on a highway.The only surprising thing about this film is the sheer number of good, or at least competent actors stuck in it, including Malkovich, Buscemi, Colm Meaney and John Cusack.
("Duh, put....duh...the....bunny...duh....back!")Cage talks like an old-fashioned LP playing at the wrong speed; Cussack & Meaney are the comic relief who spend most of their time calling each other a__holes & much worse along with lots of running/flying around.Buscemi is always fun to watch - a bit like the whining kid in the classroom; and here he thinks his Hannibal the Cannibal with a fixed smirk and a worrying choice of bondage-wear.The only person I really felt for was John Malkovich - playing the chief baddie with the loaned-out brain cell.
Nicolas Cage plays Cameron Poe who goes to jail after he kills a man.He serves there eight years.It's time for Poe to fly home to see his wife and the daughter he has never seen.There are some very dangerous convicts in the plane Poe is at.These dangerous prisoners take over in the plane with Cyrys the Virus (John Malkovich) as their leader.Poe is the only man who can stop these dangerous criminals.Con Air from 1997 is a great movie with some incredible action.The movie is filled with great actors.Nic Cage was a perfect man to play Cameron Poe. John Malkovich is amazing as Cyrys the Virus.Steve Buscemi plays the most interesting character as Garland Greene.There ain't one moment in Con Air that would bore you.Watch Con Air if you want to see some great action..
The ending now looks a bit dated, but back in 1997 landing in the streets of Las Vegas looked super cool, as well as car being dragged by plane.There are excellent one-liners, very solid acting by all involved - everyone has definitely had a good time on the set and enjoyed their bad guys characters a lot.
Ving Rhames and John Malkovich are also pretty good.I don't think Con Air is a great movie.
All of those elements make Con Air not only one of my favorite Action Films but also of the best Action movies of the 1990s that is Nicolas Cage and Jerry Bruckheimer at their best.Con Air tells the story of United States Army Ranger Cameron Poe(Nicolas Cage)who after serving 8 years in prison for manslaughter is getting out on parole and going home to his wife and daughter and to get home he has to board a plane that transfers prisoners.
Now,Cameron with the help of U.S Marshall Vince Larkin(John Cusack) has to stop Cyrus save the say and get home to see his family.Con Air is a brilliant and exciting Action movie that was a Box Office hit in 1997 and is a film that I have loved ever since I saw it on Home Video during the late 1990s and in my opinion is not only one of the most enjoyable,watchable and defining Action movies of the 1990s but also one of the Nicolas Cage's and Jerry Bruckheimer's finest hours on the silver screen and is a big budget spectacle that is explosive as it is thrilling and is the true definition of a roller coaster ride that you just never want to end.
This is a movie that has everything I love about Action films:great Action,memorable characters and great lines that are catchy all within a Die Hard type storyline with a very good twist,instead of terrorists taking over building it's prisoners taking over a plane.
Nice score,Mancina and Rabin.In final word,if you love Action Films,Nicolas Cage or Jerry Bruckheimer,I highly suggest you see Con Air,an excellent,Action-packed and explosive Action-Thriller that you will watch again and again.
Con Air is a well made action adventure with solid performances by the cast including Nicolas Cage, John Cusuak, John Malcovich, Steve Buscemi, and Ving Rhames.
Con Air is still an entertaining film with plenty of intense action, some suspense, thrills, and exceptional performances by the cast who make it worth the time to watch..
However, he is nonetheless one of the main, and key characters in this action flick.John Cusack, actually, one of John's best acting performances, really I haven't seen a great John Cusack movie ever, however, with these set of actors he actually puts on a very suspenseful drama induced part, of an FBI agent.Steve Buscemi, he adds to the motley crew of killers and rapists that all happen to be on this airplane.
This is the sort of role he excels at.There is also an appearance by Steve Buscemi as the Marietta Mangler, a serial killer who first appears in the film strapped to a chair with a mask, a la Hannibal Lecter.Nicholas Cage is also good as a very honourable guy who just wants to get home to his wife and child, but not at the expense of his fellow prisoners.This film is worth watching many times - its entertaining, sometimes funny and altogether brilliant!.
Con air is another great die hard film but the movie is good thanks to Nicolas Cage.
Con Air is a good movie with a well developed storyline and a great cast.It's certainly not an outstanding piece of film,but the reason why I'm rating it so well is simply because I find this movie very fun to watch,it's a very well made action movie that is quite intense at times and a straight forward story.The cast is, admittedly, hard to take seriously at times, Nicolas Cage's character was a bit too overly dramatic at times and some of his dialogue just sounded ridiculous coming out of his mouth,but I wouldn't have preferred anyone else in this part.