Film: Plane
Cast: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yoson An, Daniella Pineda, Paul Ben-Victor, Remi Adeleke, Joey Slotnick, Evan Dane Taylor, Claro de los Reyes and Tony Goldwyn
Director: Jean-Francois Richet
Rating: 3.5 Moons
Lionsgate in partnership with PVR Pictures brings the action-drama Plane to theatres in India on January 13. Starring Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yoson An, Daniella Pineda, Paul Ben-Victor, Remi Adeleke, Joey Slotnick, Evan Dane Taylor, Claro de los Reyes and Tony Goldwyn, the film is an adrenaline pumping actioner that might impart a renewed respect in your eyes for the pilots and aircraft crews who take up the responsibility to make us arrive safely at our destinations.
Gerard Butler stars as commercial pilot Brodie Torrance who is not only flying an aircraft from Singapore to Tokyo on New Year’s Eve through a lightning storm because his corporate overlords are busy mining money instead of giving a hoot about human lives, but also carrying a homicide murderer called Louis Gaspare (played by Mike Colter). As soon as the flight takes off it faces turbulent weather conditions and Torrance has to make an emergency landing to escape the lightning strike. However, the risky landing proves to be just the tipping point of the troubles in store for the captain and the passengers as they land on the war-torn island Jolo, off the Philippines cluster.
In order to find a radio or a telephone to get them rescued Torrance leaves his passengers in the care of his co-pilot Yoson An (played by Samuel Dele) and the cabin crews. However, he surprises all of them when he chooses Louis to accompany him instead of any other passenger. Louis is an escaped murderer who has been arrested by the FBI after being on the run for 15 years and turns out to be the most unlikely ally the captain could ever find in his hour of need. They find out that they have landed on an island where there is no law and order and the lives of their passengers are in danger thanks to the mercenary ideas of the rebel group controlling the land.
Gerard Butler leads the film Plane from the front and lights up the screen not only when he is cracking jokes and chatting up with his crew members but also when he is fighting the bad guys whether it is hand-to-hand combat or shooting. He has no tactical experience in combating dangerous rebels but feels a deep sense of responsibility towards his passengers and crew and the daughter he is on his way to see. He is a man on a mission who goes way beyond his duty to ensure that he gets his passengers to their destination safely.
On the other hand, Mike Colter as Louis Gaspare proves to be a formidable ally to Torrance and comes across as a man that has more to him than meets the eye. Torrance and Louis learn to trust each other and work together in order to rescue the passengers and survive while facing brutal killers on the island. The supporting cast of Remi Adeleke, Daniella Pineda,Tony Goldwyn and Paul Ben-Victor also do a commendable job. Daniella Pineda shines in her thankless role as a flight attendant while Tony Goldwyn will get your thumbs up as the corporate honcho who at least has his mind on practicalities and sensitive about his plane, crew and passengers rather than just being money-minded. Yoson An is a sweet and devoted co-pilot and does a swell job in Plane.
Director Jean-Francois Richet presents a high-octane action-drama in Plane and does not let your attention waver. He keeps the narrative taut and crisp and is ably supported by his cast coupled with showing the hero as a real pilot and not somebody hungry for action. It is credible how Richet shows Torrance go over his little checklists like a real pilot and not some macho hero who is only flying as a side business. Charles Cumming and JP Davis’ screenplay from a story written by Cumming will keep you engrossed till the very end as well as the surprise that comes near the climax.
Plane is an entertaining watch and is presented by Lionsgate in partnership with PVR Pictures, releasing in theatres in India on January 13.
PeepingMoon.com gives Plane, 3.5 Moons.
