Con Air [Blu-ray] Reviews

• Con Air Is Classic Mindless Bruckheimer Action, But This Unrated DVD Is Less Than Spectacular

  
  By A27CHILBK6HIL2 on 2006-05-18
  MOVIE: Con Air, an incredibly loud and in your face action movie that does what it sets out to do. Recently Disney has released a bunch of Jerry Bruckheimer produced "unrated" DVD's. Con Air was re-released with Crimson Tide and Enemy Of The State. This so called "unrated" edition is nothing but a marketing ploy, but we did need new editions of these Bruckheimer action extravaganzas. Con Air, directed by Simon West, is a flick about a man who is sent to prison after accidentally killing a man during a bar brawl. The opening scene and credits are set to a montage of Cage writing letters to his daughter that was born while he was in prison, and she writes back. So basically it's a narrated reading of the letters back and forth. Okay, we got the character development out of the way in about five minutes, now time for the action. Cameron Poe (Cage) is put on a plane to be sent back home, but he is transported with other hardened criminals. Cyrus The Virus (John Malkovich) has other plans though, and he stages a takeover of the plane. Let the mindless but fun action ensue. Nicolas Cage sports a bad southern accent, long hair, and pumped up biceps and is our protagonist. The movie has some bad dialogue and some cliched scenes, but it never takes itself seriously. We also get Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin's full blown action score. Mancina and Rabin are members of Hans Zimmer's studio at Media Ventures, and Bruckheimer almost exclusively uses Zimmer or one of the composers that collaborate with him. The score is all electronic based, but it suits the movie well. As for the "unrated" material, there is basically nothing. The original running time was 115 minutes, so that makes 7 minutes of added footage. There really isn't anything more in terms of violence and action, just some awkward dialogue scenes that didn't really fit. So, yes, in a way the added footage hinders the movie if that's possible.
  
  ACTING: The movie also has a topnotch cast. Nicolas Cage, who is a favorite when it comes to Jerry Bruckheimer, is great as Cameron Poe the simple southern boy. John Malkovich steals the show as the movie's antagonist. He plays a serial killer yet adds class to the character. John Cusack plays the good cop who is back on the ground trying to handle the situation and believes that Poe is a good guy. So, you see the characters are pretty much cardboard cutouts, but they work. We have some great support from Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, and good ol' Dave Chappelle.
  
  VIDEO: The original release came with a non-anamorphic transfer, which is why this release is appreciated. This release comes with an anamorphic 2.35:1 transfer. The picture is sharp, no signs of any major flaws.
  
  AUDIO:The sound mix isn't the best, it's pretty much the same thing from the old disc, a basic 5.1 Dolby Digital track. It's not as spread out as I'd like it to be, but it's okay.
  
  SPECIAL FEATURES: None. When you have no special features, that's a sign that this DVD's only purpose is to sucker in losers like myself into buying them. Oh well, I enjoyed it and don't mind double dipping for a better transfer.
  
  BOTTOM LINE: They should have just thrown in a featurette or something to at least show some effort was put into it. I feel a little cheated that there is absolutely nothing on this set, especially since the added footage is pretty much crud. For those who don't own it, get this edition. However, if you do own it then don't double dip unless you really liked the movie or if you have a widescreen set that would benefit from the anamorphic transfer. Con Air is your typical mid 90's Bruckheimer actionfest. Nothing here to intrigue your mind, just entertain it.
  
  

• It's a blast!

  
  By A35YWA2V4QHOJ3 on 2001-07-16
  Pound for pound, for pure fun, this is one of the greatest movies ever. Please note that I said for pure fun. I'm not comparing this movie to "Ben Hur," "I, Cladius," "Shakespeare In Love," or any other movie that has a great deal of scope & breadth. Again, I'm only talking about movies that are for unfettered entertainment's sake.

  "Con Air" is a movie that doesn't take itself seriously, and you shouldn't, either. This is a Bruckenheimer movie that is heavy on action and comedy, and light on plot & character development. Yes, most of the movie is absurd, but it is also absurd in a fun way.

  The cast is absolutely impeccable, featuring Nicholas Cage, John Malchovich, Steve Buscemi and John Cusack. We even get Colm Meaney as an irate Irish DEA agent - a wonderful touch! The direction is superb, and Trevor Rabin delivers yet another riveting score.

  This is a can't miss for anyone who wants to sit back & watch an hour & a half of hilarious mayhem. This is what I would call a guy movie - squared!
  
  

• An action-packed movie filled with humour!

  
  By A19KUHFFG44GMR on 2005-12-30
  "Con Air" is about prisoners who take over a plane and plan to fly it out of the USA. Although there is a lack of character development in this movie, the director, Simon West is more focused on bringing out the action element for this movie. Moreover, this is actually an action-comedy movie and it is one of John Malkovich's funniest movie.
  
  The main reason why I liked this movie is because it keeps the viewer in suspense. The jokes are also funny and not too cheesy. Although this movie will never win an Oscar for best director, the mindless action will keep the audience spellbound throughout the movie.
  
  

• (;D)

  
  By A2NUHWMHA9XNKV on 2006-05-24
  Put the Bunny Back!
  This was a great movie! It's full of action! And it has lots of jokes! I recommend it! The DVD is spectacular!! Don't miss out on this movie!
  
  

• So, where's the extras?

  
  By A21B2TJBWCSK1R on 2006-05-26
  Nothing. Not even a trailer. What a wasted opportunity for a commentary by West (who does do them -- he did one for When A Stranger Calls) or a retrospective featurette.
  
  All you do get with this extended version is additional dialogue between Cusack's character and a female law enforcement officer in a hanger, footage of a prison riot during the opening credits montage and a few more graphic shots of hapless inmates being killed during the course of the movie.
  
  
• Back to the well, and this one was shallow to begin with...
  By A37PZJH2F13IOR on 2006-05-15
  I hate to admit I actually own this thing on VHS. And unless my mind is going more than usual, I have this cut of the movie too.
  
  Double (and more) dipping by the studios seems to be the way of DVD. We get at least four issues of Terminator 2, but none of Robinson Crusoe on Mars. I personally am sick of it.
  
  Director's Cuts, Unrated Editions, and other snaky ways of trying to separate my money from my wallet. No wonder I've taken to borrowing nearly all my DVDs from the Public Library.
  
  No, you generally don't get them the day they come out. But honestly, when was the last time you purchased a movie from Hollyweird that was worth keeping? Don't do it!
  
  
• Great Picture, Great Sound. Fun Movie.
  By A20EHAR40RISAX on 2008-01-18
  I cant say that this movie isn't over the top. It is. But, it is fun. If you are looking for action adventure movies for your collection, this is a good choice. If you are the type of person who watches movies and say's " theres no way he could do that " you may want to pass. This is a good old fashioned shoot'em up flick. With a great cast to boot!!!
  
  I viewed Con Air on my 40" Sony XBR4. Using a Playstation 3. My sound was from a 7.1 Sony receiver with Bose Acoustamass speakers. My TV was callibrated with DVE High Defintion HD DVD disk. Using HDMI Monster cables. So I would give the picture an A. The transfer looked very clean, no dirt or artifacts. Colors were rich, darks were black and stable throughout. No visible edge enhancement. This title could not look any better. It appears to be new release quality. The sound was clean, crisp, and has many explosions to keep your subwoofer awake. A great way to show off your home audio system.
  
  I dont watch movies for a documentary experience. This movie is far from that. But it is fun, and has lot's of mindless action and plenty of explosions to keep it going till the end. Certainly no saving Private Ryan, or Blackhawk Down for realism.
  
  
• Thumbs Down
  By A3G57NPE1OKJ5U on 2006-05-17
  Regardless of the new extras and restored scenes, this dvd has a terrible video transfer. Horizontal edges have more edge enhancement than even the infamously bad SWEP1 Phantom Menace dvd. The overall picture is reduced to near vhs quality from the excessive ringing.
  
  Absolutely avoid this Z-grade transfer unless you have a 13" tv or don't care at all about video quality.
  
  
• Con Air
  By AP0R9UZK7W5UB on 2000-04-12
  Con Air is a good action film and several things keep it alive. One is acting. John Malkovich is good as Cyrus "the Virus" Grissom, who claims he's killed more people than cancer. John Cusack is in good form as U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin, who owns the plane the criminals take over, named "the Jailbird". Nicolas Cage delivers one of his best performances as Cameron Poe, a decorated military hero who is catching a ride home after being in prison for 8 years for defending his wife in a bar fight. Other good performances were by Steve Buscemi as serial killer Garland Greene and Ving Rhames (Mission:Impossible) as Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones. The musical score was very good. There are a few plotholes but hey, there aren't too many movies that don't have a few plotholes here and there. Another good thing is action. Most of the action on board the plane is hand-to-hand combat. Probably the best action scene in the movie is where the criminals stop to get a new plane. U.S. troops attack them in a long and great gunfight. The other action sequence is when Cusack and Cage chase Cyrus on motorcycles through a tunnel in Las Vegas. It is very humorous when the plane is crashing and Garland Greene is singing "He's got the whole world in His hands". At the Academy Awards Con Air was nominated for two things:Best Sound and Best Original Song. It did not win either. Though Con Air may be a level below Crimson Tide, The Rock, and Air Force One, it's still a great action film
  
  
• A Flight of Fancy
  By AGKPTMTR3UX1R on 2000-04-11
  Okay, so maybe this one will never win the Academy Award for "Most Logical Picture." But for plain old-fashioned-get-your-adrenalin-pumping fun, this movie is hard to beat.

  The premise is utterly ridiculous. Nicholas Cage plays Cameron Poe, an Army Ranger sent to a Maximum Security prison for killing a knife-wielding punk while protecting his pregnant wife (Monica Potter, who lights up the screen just by being there). At the end of seven years Poe is paroled and is placed on a transport flight home.

  Uh-oh! The transport flight passenger list reads like a phone directory for Sociopaths R Us. The entire flight is filled with urban guerrillas, serial murderers, and chain-rapists. What lunatics could write a script where this collection of megalomaniacs is able to work together in hijacking the plane? Well, they're out there. So be afraid. Be very very afraid.

  Parolee Poe then forgets his beautiful young wife and little girl, but recalls that he is the lone Ranger on the flight. Spurning a chance to escape so that he can stick by his best friend and a lady guard who is about to become the in-flight entertainment, Poe wins the trust of ringleader Cyrus The Virus (John Malkovich), even while sabotaging the Great Escape. Malkovich is appropriately psychotic and has some of the best lines in the picture.

  The resourceful Poe is able to convince Federal Agent Larkin (John Cusack) that he wears a white hat, (how is another matter) but Cusack has problems of his own with Agent Malloy (Colm Meany, who should win the Most Abrasive Actor Oscar for this or any picture). Larkin and Malloy chase the hijacked plane across the country in a high speed hyperactive romp of exploding humvees, flying sportscars and ground-attack helicopters, but don't catch up to the plane until it crash lands in Las Vegas after Poe subdues most of the Bad Guys. Of course, ah yes, ultimately he must subdue the Worst Guys.

  Does it sound beyond belief? Well, it is. But it's also two hours and some of rollicking screen hysteria. If you like the action genre, you will love CON AIR. If the genre doesn't appeal to you, this most definitely won't.

  I give this FIVE STARS, Four for the movie, and one for Monica Potter who is the woman every man should be lucky enough to come home to.
  
  

• An Extraordinary Dumbfest
  By A3JEL7D1IWRRA on 2001-11-21
  This film is beyond dumb; it is stupefying; it features what is perhaps the worst performance by an already overrated actor, Nick Cage (who does his tank-topped best to make us forget how awful he was in "Firebirds"); watch the thing for Steve Buscemi; no, don't; I like Steve Buscemi; but let's enjoy him in a literate film like "Fargo"; now, down to business -- "Con Air" is the good old prison break movie recycled to include every known psycho and psychotic type jammed into a cargo plane and headed for Disney World where they will barbecue Goofy and Minnie . . . ooops, wrong movie; scratch the Disney World stuff; anyway, Psychos-R-Us are airborne when wham! everything falls apart and the world as we know it is about to end 'cause John Malkovich as head psycho figures he's going to reroute his sicko crew to "Armageddon" where they will kill off Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck (for acting without expression) and let the "good hands" comet destroy earth; nope, that's not it; OK, OK, OK, these cons are up to less than no good, they land the plane on a cheap desert set where John Cusack (who is years away from "Being John Malkovitch") single-handedly routs them with a stolen Corvette until the cavalry shows up and everyone dies; I fell asleep often while watching this film; I think that's helpful. I woke up happy.
  
  
• "On any other day, that might seem strange"
  By A3TNM3C9ENUCFW on 2004-09-21
  Nicolas Cage,(Cameron Poe) - fresh from deep south elocution lessons drawls out as he watches a Classic Corvette being towed behind an airplane several hundred feet up. Cage plays the nice guy in the wrong place at the wrong time, and goes to prison after inadvertently killing someone harrassing his wife in a brawl. The judge decides that Cage, as an ex Ranger should know better than to use his considerable fighting skills on worthless drunks and sends him away. During his prison term his daughter is born, whom he refuses to let visit, but collects ALL of her pictures and letters whilst incarcerated. He also beefs up, grows his hair long, and acquires a stack of white vests, to help show off his physique. Remember what I said about wrong place wrong time? well sure enough, after getting parole he is being transported on a prison aircraft for a ride home, when the plane is seized (through a planned and elaborate hijack) by the other inmates, among them John Malkovich as the criminally revered Cyrus "the Virus" Grissom. Of course, the plane is packed with the worst criminals imaginable (including a darkley comic cameo from Steve Buscemi) from across the whole country, we assume all going to some maximum security country club somewhere. I don't want to be harsh about this pure escapist way way over the top action, but it's a lot of fun, and feasible (if highly unlikely) for the most part. John Cusack is excellent as the "sensible" US Marshal on the ground, and Colm Meaney (Star Trek TNG) plays his complete opposite "lets kill em all" DEA Agent, trying to get the plane and cargo back. There's enough explosions, chases, and fights to keep most fans of this sort of thing happy for weeks, and the acting is actually very good and believable all round. The main problems are the Director seemingly not knowing when to end the movie (after several finale opportunities), and a lack of any real depth or character development (but then consider the type of movie for a second). The "never leave a man behind" code that Cage's character constantly bombards the audience with is also a little too cliched for my taste, but all that said, it IS a good picture. Predictable? Yes - but well worth the viewing, and the DVD polish adds a little. Enjoy.
  
  
• Best action film of the late 90s
  By A319SKSB556033 on 2005-07-18
  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. After 8 years of porridge he is freed and hitches a ride home on a prison plane called The Jailbird. But this is no ordinary flight.
  
  On Board are a small army of America's toughest crooks including Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom (John Malkovich) a men on death row for murder, robbery, kidnapping and extortion. Nathan 'Diamond Dog' Jones (Ving Rhames), a black militant inside for murder. Billy Bedlam (Nick Chinlund), inside for killing his cheating wife's family and dog. Pinball Parker (Dave Chapelle), a pimp and drug-dealer. Swamp Thing (MC Gainey) a pilot who knows a few things about a good hijack. And finally Garland Green AKA The Marietta Mangler (Steve Buscemi) a serial killer in for killing a zillion people and crossing 2 state borders wearing a girls head as a hat.
  
  As you can tell, with such a eclectic bunch of psychos on board it's only a matter of seconds before all hell breaks loose. As soon as the plane is in the air the cons have taken over, restrained or killed the guards and have changed the destination from prison to South America.
  
  Poe, being the good-hearted sort of chap that he is, doesn't rat out as his best pal needs his insulin shot and no one else will help. It's up to Poe to sneakily round up the baddies until US Marshall Larkin (John Cusack) and the cavalry can get there. Easier said than done, as double-crosses, suspicious cons and incompetent authority foul everything up. The result is action overload as the film blazes through to it's anarchic, devastating climax upon another anarchic, devastating climax. At the end you'll be left breathless and your senses stinging with over-stimulation. Con Air is everything an action film should be.
  
  Steve Buscemi steals the whole show. His deadpan, bug-eyed and dare I say 'innocent' portrayal of a deranged killer is the centrepiece of the whole film. The scene where he sings with a little girl (and continues later on) will either freak you out or steal your heart. And the ending is the best you could hope for.
  
  Mark Mancina and Trevor Rabin provide a loud, blaring score of thrash-metal and acoustic guitars with the usual Media Ventures flare. It's brilliant stuff and I suggest you hunt down the (sadly incomplete) score CD. And this really did deserve the Best Original Song award over that pansy Titanic one.
  
  Superior to both The Rock and Face/Off, Con Air is Nic Cage at his (worst) best as an action hero and Bruckheimer at his best as an action producer. See it, for the love of God, see it.
  
  However, the Region 1 DVD is quite crap with no extras and a rubbish 2.35:1 non-anamorhic picture. The Region 2 DVD is anamorphic, with nice motion menus, trailers and some brief featurettes. Get that version if you can.
  
  
• BUYER BEWARE
  By A244KA5N14SPXT on 2006-02-15
  I GIVE THE DVD A 1 STAR NOT THE MOVIE. NEW DISCS COMING OUT. SEE BELOW.
  Meanwhile, Buena Vista has announced a Con Air: Unrated Extended Cut, as well as an Enemy of the State: Unrated Extended Cut, both for release on 5/16 (SRP $19.99 each). Con Air will include anamorphic widescreen video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, but no details as to the extras have yet been announced. Enemy of the State will also include anamorphic widescreen video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and extras will include deleted scenes, The Making of Enemy of the State documentary, an All Access: The Showdown Scene feature and the original theatrical trailer.
  
  
• I Call Shenanigans!
  By A1DSP1ZR6Q9B63 on 2006-05-17
  Shame on you Disney, for trying to bleed me of my hard-eard money.
  
  I call Shenanigans
  
  
• Best all-around action movie I have ever seen
  By A3PU3QW2DZ17HV on 2000-09-26
  Wow. This is a truly amazing movie. Sadly, many people will probably first read the reviews of this excellent film, and only pick it up when looking for a brainless action-fest. I think it has gotten to the point where most hollywood critics dismiss movies with high-budget stunts as having nothing else to offer. Con Air definately does. While maybe not boasting an all-star cast, the actors featured are definately at the top of their trade, and you'll recognize them from many other features. Nicholas Cage was, as always, amazing, though he didn't really take control of the camera this time. Colm Meaney and John Cusack had their own impressive side to the plot, as well as the many wonderfully deep characters who played the convicts. Ving Rhames and Steve Buscemi stood out to me, but there was no sub-par acting. When it comes to music, there was an excellent score that accurately portrayed the emotion of each scene. Whether it be a bloody action sequence or the emotional re-uniting of Cameron Poe (cage) and his wife, Con Air delivers. For what the movie is branded as, Con Air has some of the biggest and loudest stunts and action sequences. You won't fall asleep while watching it. There is quite a bit of humor inserted throughout the film that may be a bit of a cliche at times, but is totally hilarious when breaking up some of the more stressful scenes. 5 out of 5. This movie has everything. You won't be disappointed. Possibly my favorite movie all-time.
  
  
• Malcovich must have REALLY needed the paycheck
  By A146D2LYLICNLS on 2003-11-17
  Although it's very difficult for me to give a bad review for any movie starring John Malcovich, I must make an exception for "Con Air." This is hands-down one of the most absurd, implausible "action" movies to ever exist. I can't see why an actor of Malcovich's caliber would lower himself to star in this movie. Even he can't save it despite his always-reliable performance.

  "Con Air" is one of those movies that appeal to viewers who either have very low expectations in an action movie or are only interested in seeing things blowing up. But for those of you who want more, look elsewhere. What makes "Con Air" so bad? Here you go:

  -The premise of the movie is a plot hole. Nicholas Cage's character would have never been found guilty of killing that thug; he was clearly acting in self defense, outnumbered and protecting himself and his wife. When a plot hole is the foundation of a movie you know it's going nowhere.
  -One-dimensional, stereotypical bottom-of-the-barrel characters so vile that you end up not caring who lives or dies.
  -Cage's unconvincing, forced Southern accent.
  -A script so bad that it actually makes certain scenes funny, when I doubt that was the intention.
  -The final scene where Malcovich is killed is so over-the-top and ridiculous that you wonder if you're watching an action movie or a circus performance. I have no problem with suspending my disbelief, but come on.

  Don't waste your time, folks. If you want to see an action flick with Nicholas Cage watch "The Rock." While also formulatic, at least it has an intriguing plot, good acting, descent script and action sequences that don't insult your intelligence.
  
  

• Great Cast but a little ridiculous
  By A3Q5QRZXZCKVQ2 on 2004-03-05
  The original idea behind "Con Air" is that prisoners take over a prison plane, which is certainly a clever idea for an action movie; however, the movie soon spirals out of the realm of possibility and into the ridiculous adding meaningless subplots and contrived tiwsts. Somehow the moive accumulates a great cast with Nicholas Cage, Ving Rames, Steve Buschemi, John Malcovich, and John Cusack, but instead of using their acting talents, all the characters are forcibly flat and uniteresting. Cage is the ultimate good person who can do no wrong and only serves to help others. Malcovich and Rhames are just bad men.. The only notable character is Buschemi for his offbeat observations, but even then he is reduced to a sideshow by the end of the movie. This being said, despite their restrictive roles, the cast manages to drag this movie to respectablity by generally conveying a sense of excitement into the movie.
  
  
• "I have the only gun on board....welcome to con air."
  By A3DLA2VYNB80UZ on 2003-01-04
  Most people don't consider this movie to be an action-comedy, but is. This is definetly John Malkovich's funniest movie. It is about a plane transporting deadly convicts across the country, until it is taken over by the convicts. The convicts include, Cyrus "the virus" Grissom (Malkovich), a deadly killing machine who's violated every law in the book. A black-supremeist leader "Diamond Dog" (Ving Rhames), and a quiet, psychotic killer, Garland Greene (Buschimi) who's creepy in his own little way. Cyrus's plans are fouled by a parolee, Cameron Poe (Nicholas Cage), an ex-army ranger charged with manslaughter returing home to see his family. This movie is packed with action, plenty of laughs, and great actors give this movie two thumbs up.
  
  
• Lots Of Explosions But Basically Dumb All Over
  By A3FZ06XRKW5JC5 on 2004-01-27
  Nicholas is Cage is our all-American hero Cameron Poe. (Seriously silly name or what?) He's a bold, shaggy-haired super-hero who has just left the special forces and what he cares about is family values and honour and loyalty and goodness and heroism and his cute little girl and her cute blond mother and courage and valour and no one ever gets left behind and looking very sensitive and... you get my drift. One does rather wish he would pick his nose occasionally just to make him a bit easier to like. He's also a bit simple-minded and slow, as his voice-overed letters home from jail make clear after he has wasted some some-town tough who hassled his wife... Think Forrest Gump with muscle toning. After all, hey, nobody likes a smarty-pants.

  John Cusack is our other main good guy, Larkin, the US Marshall whose job is to sort things out after assorted super-criminals take over a prisoner transport `plane. And sorting things out is not really that difficult as these particular baddies are really not all that smart and their plan is, let's face it, pretty half-baked. So to make it difficult the writers responsible for this tosh have compelled him to work alongside gung-ho DEA official Malloy (Colm Meaney). Now there are lots of stories and movies that get good drama about the working relationship of two professionals with interestingly different approaches to their work. But this isn't one of those movies. Here the main difference is that Larkin is smart and responsible while Malloy is a complete pillock.

  Good old hard-core action picture stuff follows with heroic Poe forced to battle single-handed against a small army of evil psychopaths, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, M. C. Gainey, and various other thesps who evidently really really needed the money. They're all about seven feet tall and hard as nails with guns and stuff and, boy, you can just smell the testosterone and the action just comes and comes. So that once you start watching, you watch to the end gripped in a kind of horrified fascination only to be left sat there as the closing credits roll wondering just how you ever came to allow two whole hours of your short and precious life ebb quietly (well, not so quietly) away on such total bollocks.
  
  

• Overblown Rubbish
  By A2Y70AOI3NG37J on 2004-11-19
  Few movies can be considered dreadful enough to not have any redeeming charecteristics; this is one of them. Nothing could have saved this movie. I am writing this review in a state of rage, anger, embaressment (of having been seen watching the movie), and pain. So where exactly did this movie go wrong? It had a great cast, an all-star cast if you will. The movie had tons of money to spare, as could be seen by the liberal use of the special effects budget and the enormous sums paid out to the numerous big-name actors. Steve Buscemi was in it, and he is in many good movies. So what is wrong.
  First of all, the acting was dreadful. I sensed that every actor was delivering the lines the same way that a hostage reads his ransom note. They seemed to be in constant pain and were probably kicking themselves for accepting such a poor script. The lines were delivered with a lack of coviction and sense of reality.
  Now onto to reality; this movie is not reality. The Rock was more realistic than this. Wait...wait Star Wars was more realistic than this. Ok, no biggie. Action films are never supposed to coincide perfectly with realism. However this film goes so far from the laws of physics that it is unforgivable. For example, what happens when a motorcyle crashes into a fire truck? That's right: it explodes. Or what happens when a large transport plain crashes in Vegas? Yep, that's right: it skids for a few miles without going off of the road. Furthermore, nothing was ever explained. How was 'The Virus' able to hijack a fire engine and why didn't anybody stop Poe from getting onto the police bike?
  It's pathetic. Steve Buscemi was another problem. I saw the movie looking up for a short period of time when he appeared, then what happens? He has tea with a little girl and she 'reforms' him. I can't think of something more cliche than the child reformer. Oh yeah and children should never be allowed to sing in movies, or at all.
  The ending was so overblown and corny that it became completely unwatchable. I understand that I view this differently than most other folks here, but I couldn't bear to see Poe reunited with his family. I thought this was an action movie not the second coming of the Sugar Plum fairy.
  
  
• Retarded
  By A2NX5UZ6WEZF0R on 2005-04-10
  If you are a child, you might enjoy this film. But for us movie fans, who have intelligence, you can't fool us with this absurd tale about a bunch of convicts joining together, working together like friends, "if you're bad like me, you're cool." Pleeeeze. In the real world, they'd all kill each other once the cops were out of the picture. It's a stereotype to say that all bad people stick together. This movie was absurd, corny, ridiculous, unrealistic, and it's a shame a great actor like john malkovich agreed to it.
  
  
• "Con Air" not a con.
  By A381YAV5P1VHDR on 2000-03-06
  Con Air is an itensifyingly enjoyable and addictive action flick. It has something for everyone. Cage and Malkovich at at their best leading an all-star cast. This movie is action at it's best, featuring a great plot, convincing and somewhat moving script which is marvellously acted out . I am deeply shocked that many critics have managed to dump this movie and overlook the genious of it all. I saw it 6 times in the cinema when it first came out and 2 months after I bought it on video. Ever since I have seen it over 100 times in the past 2 years and my sisters and brother love it too. I don't find it at all racial, and I think many people will agree that it makes us stop and think about the way we live and what's going on around us. If you havn't already seen Con Air, I suggest you do it fast. It truly is a great movie by a talented director. A top movie for now and many years to come.
  
  
• Gripping and entertaining airborne suspenser
  By A33FA68V0NCM5E on 2000-10-17
  "Con Air", along with a few other recent extravaganzas from the powerhouse production duo Simpson-Brukheimer, is a very slick piece of goods with extremely high production values. Nic Cage (speaking in a sonorous southern twang) plays the role of the embattled ex-con, Cameron Poe, who is on the way to his wife and daughter, on a plane carrying a quirky, surreal bunch of convicts. These include Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), a black militant and his accomplice, Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom "who claims to have killed more men than cancer" (played by the brilliantly seedy John Malkovich). The cons manage to hijack the plane and Poe (who is small fry compared to the other convicts, since he had only pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a violent drunken brawl) finds himself pitted against the homicidal jailbirds in the struggle for power. The superb, eloquent dialogue (penned by Scott Rosenberg) features some of the most hilarious tough-guy rejoinders and put-downs. "Con Air" is an action film that would appeal to even those who hate action films, even though it contains enough death and destruction to recommend it to the "Die Hard" crowd.
  
  
• The Third Best Movie of all time!!!
  By A2W5IMSM6RNC0L on 2001-04-18
  This is one of my top 13 films of all time and it's also the best Action film ever made! thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer. Cameron Poe ( Nicolas Cage) is a Solider who gets sent to prison for manslaughter and 10 years later, he is coming home to see his wife and daughter. He hops up in a airplane called " Con Air" and now it's being held hostage by Cyrus The Virus ( John Malkovic) who demands that the plane will fly all the way to Las Vegas and have everything his way. It's a Great, perfect and Kick-A#$ ride that is one of the best films i've seen in my existnace with ID4, The Fifth Element, Matrix and so many others.

  You Won't be Disappointed and it's a must own for hard core action lovers and for those looking for a good time.

  Recommendations: The Matrix, Total Recall, Commando, In The Army Now, The Rock, Die Hard trilogy, Independence Day, Armageddon, and Terminator 2.
  
  

• Keeps lasting and lasting...
  By A28W2RTSUBYSM5 on 2001-11-04
  Well, Con Air is an action film. There's no escaping that. And when the name Jerry Bruckheimer pops up in the opening credits, we know it's going to be a big action film in every sense of the word.

  Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is a retired US Ranger who, the day of his return, gets involved in a drunken brawl protecting his wife from some local thugs, accidentaly killing one of them during the scuffle. It's not long before he's convicted and sent to prison for his crime.
  Determined not to screw up again, Poe spends the next five years or so growing his hair and doing push-ups, from what we see in the opening shots. Eventually he gets paroled and he and his friend, Baby-O are brought on board The Jailbird - a lumbering troop transport designed to fly prisoners around the country.

  But they are not alone on this aircraft. Onboard are an assortment of master criminals and general nutters from all over the country. There's super-clever Cyrus the Virus (a shaven-headed John Malkovich), black militant Diamond Dog (big bloke Ving Rhames), serial rapist Johnny 23 (greasy Danny Trejo) and creepy mass murderer Garland Green (Steve Buscemi).
  Needless to say, it's not long before the cons break out and take control of the aircraft. With Baby-O dying from lack of insulin, Poe is forced to remain on the aircraft and try somehow to get things under control. On the ground, Federal Marshall Vince Larkin (John Cusack) does his best to calm things down and work out just how the hell to stop the whole thing turning into a bloodbath.

  The plot isn't anything spectacular, but at least it's better than the likes of Armageddon. The first two-thirds of the film are relatively slow, with Poe skulking around the aircraft and generally doing his best to help the good guys without getting himself killed.
  It's only in the last half-hour that the film succumbs to the inevitable Bruckheimer influence and disintegrates into an orgy of guns, explosions and even a bit of fist-fighting. Still, the action sequences are solidly staged and competently shot, particularly the battle in the deserted airfield.
  The only real problem is that the film just doesn't know when to stop. After crashing an aircraft into the heart of Las Vegas, we're then treated to a fire truck chase through casino's, tunnels and even construction sites, resulting in a totally over-the-top death for the villain. The film reaches a high with the airplane crash, but it keeps going for more and by the time Cyrus is finally disposed of, it comes as an anti-climax.

  The performances are good rather than great. Malkovich, since his performance in The Line Of Fire, has become the new Alan Rickman - a thinking mans bad guy. He's always ready with a sarcastic remark or witty postulation and he certainly looks nasty enough, but he doesn't really have the presence to carry off the role.
  Cage turns in a solid performance as all round good-guy Cameron Poe, but after the likes of The Rock and Face/Off, this film certainly doesn't push his limits as he mumbles his way through his simple-Simon dialogue. Still, he seems to have put in some hard time at the gym for this movie, and wastes little time on showing off his new physique.

  The rest of the actors are there mostly as cannon fodder or comic relief. John Cusack does what he can in what is really quite a limited role, while Steve Buscemi turns in one of his patented 'Creepy little guy' performances, still managing to raise a few laughs with his occasionally insightful remarks.

  The soundtrack for Con Air is top class, perfectly summing up the mood of the film. There's a lot of heavy bass whenever one of the villains strolls up (usually in slow motion) and plenty of electric guitar during the fight sequences. The dialogue is rather intermediate, mostly witty and entertaining, but occasionally flat and dull. At least most of the puns are good. Upon seeing a sports car hanging in the air behind their plane, Poe remarks simply, "On any other day, that might seem strange."

  All in all, a good movie with some interesting and stylish touches. Above average, but not a classic.
  
  

• Absolute garbage
  By on 2001-11-30
  Lots and lots of things being blown up. That's about all I really got out of this flick. Things that are noticeably absent here: a plot and decent acting. I guess the producers figured they could cover up the bad script with cheap Hollywood stunts and gimmicks. If you have nothing better to do for two hours than be entertained by explosions and cheap thrills, then this film is for you. However, if you are in search of an intelligent film, or anything even remotely intelligent, look elsewhere.
  
  
• Absolute Garbage
  By A1W7ZANSDFW5VT on 2004-01-16
  What can I say about this except DON'T WASTE 2 HOURS OF YOUR LIFE WATCHING IT! Honestly I've seen some bad films and this has got to be up there in the top 5, probably number one....need I say more.
  
  
• Singularly absurd and egregious - shame on the writer(s)
  By A3AGD8RIQPIB0O on 2005-03-23
  Con air is an unrelenting bludgeoning of the viewer's ability to suspend disbelief, more so than any other movie with the exception of that other Bruckheimer atrocity, Armageddon. If American moviegoers had any sense of honor in this day and age, the writer of this offal would have his back permanently stained yellow with the nation's collective pee rather than rewarding this magnum opus of balderdash with their wallets.
  
  Rather than delve into the myriad throughly unrealistic events that occur in the film that other reviewers have mentioned - I'll just concentrate on the finale. The plane full of cons is out of gas and running on one engine just outside Las Vegas - looking for a place to land, Nicolas Cage's character, Poh, and the con pilot claim that they can't make the airstrip and must land the plane on 'the strip'. Last time I flew into Vegas, I recalled the airport to be no more than 1/4 mile directly adjacent to 'the strip' - PLEEEEZE.
  
  The only enjoyable aspect of the film was the writer's choice to challenge Cage's acting chops by crippling him with a Southern accent.
  
  
• Put down the bunny
  By AK61LQI92GTCH on 2005-12-01
  Great premise for an action movie - put "every creep and freak in the universe on one plane" (they're transferring a bunch of murderers, rapists, and arsonists in one fell swoop.) Cuff `em to the aisle seats. The really bad guys, like Cyrus the Virus (John Malkovich), are locked down in cages along the walls. The really really bad guy, Garland `The Marietta Mangler' Greene (Steve Buscemi,) is trussed up like Hannibal the Cannibal and treated by the wary transport guards like a rabid rottweiler. Into this stew of degenerates add one Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage,) ex-Army Ranger who is going home after serving a seven-year sentence for murder. Of course, Poe killed the man with his bare hands when the man, along with a couple other drunken thugs, jumped Poe and his wife in a parking lot. The ex-Ranger, as the sentencing judge informs us after Poe refuses to cop a dishonorable guilty plea, is a killing machine. So Poe is flying home a free man, to see for the first time his seven-year-old daughter. You see, his still-faithful wife was pregnant when the killing occurred, and Poe wouldn't allow his child to see her Daddy in jail. Poe is very anxious to see her today. It's his daughter's birthday and Poe's bringing her a birthday present, a bunny....
  
  Don't let that touchy-feely stuff worry you too much. The movie needs a reason for Poe to be in a hurry to get home, and this one works well enough. The situation turns ugly before the plane leaves the runway.
  
  CON AIR is an extremely engaging action movie. The actors are top-notch, including John Cusack as the US Marshal on the ground who believes in Poe and tries to resolve the situation without shooting the hijacked plane out of the air. The action is non-stop and the dialogue is sometimes startlingly funny. For instance, at one point one of the bad guys snarls threateningly at Poe "You know what I am?" "Ugly all day" is Poe's deadpan response. Add to that a lot of explosions and car crashes, snarly bad guys and good guys too, and a pace that's lifted from a Road Runner cartoon and CON AIR is a hoot. CON AIR is non-stop, totally improbable, over-the-top, and a whole lot of fun.
  
  
  
  

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