Tonight's Movie: Plane (2023)

Every so often I enjoy a good modern-day action movie as a change of pace from classic film viewing, and I'm happy to say that the new film PLANE (2023) was exactly my kind of movie.

I'd been intrigued when I saw the trailer, as aviation is a favorite movie theme for me, but I was also a bit uncertain when I noted the film was rated R.

My oldest daughter has a very good sense of which movies will push buttons I won't like and which I'll enjoy, so I was delighted when she saw it a few days ago and texted "You will absolutely love it." And I did!

Gerard Butler, in a Liam Neeson-esque performance, plays Scottish airline captain Brodie Torrance. Torrance is a widower who is trying to get to Hawaii for New Year's for a reunion with his college-age daughter (Haleigh Hekking).

Shortly after taking off from Singapore, Torrance and his copilot (Yoson An) run into a horrific storm, and a lightning strike seriously damages the plane, forcing it down. They miraculously land on a small island, but all too soon realize their trouble is just beginning, as they have no way to signal their location for rescue and the natives are not friendly.

The islanders aren't cannibals, but there's a touch of a FIVE CAME BACK (1939) vibe to the story; in addition to deadly natives, one of the passengers, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), is a prisoner wanted for murder. Shades of the Joseph Calleia character in FIVE CAME BACK. I love being able to make film connections like that across the decades.

The officer escorting Gaspare having accidentally died during the flight due to the turbulent conditions, Captain Torrance realizes soon after landing that there might be good reasons to set Gaspare free. Little does he know...

Back in New York Trailblazer Airlines has called in their crisis manager Scarsdale (an excellent Tony Goldwyn), who quickly pulls together extensive information on all aspects of the flight; after realizing the plane's location, he arranges to send in a privately contracted special ops team to rescue the pilots and passengers.

I'll leave off with the plot there, as there's much more to go, but that gives a good taste of what it's all about.

Suffice it to say that this film, derivative though it may be, is tightly scripted by Charles Cumming and J.P. Davis, from a story by Cumming. It provides enough character background to be interesting, knows just how much violence to show while not being overly disturbing, and is a very well paced 107 minutes, which almost qualifies as a short film these days.

The film doesn't draw situations out in agonizing fashion, having special ops show up with perfect timing, and the fact that there are not one but two crash landings which bookend the film is completely delightful rather than redundant.

Frankly the fact that some aspects of the movie are familiar is part of the pleasure, along with seeing the new twists and turns introduced in this film.

The R rating is chiefly for language; some characters die but it's pretty clearly telegraphed in advance who it will be (and in my case my daughter filled me in before I went so I could relax and enjoy the movie). There are some occasional special effects blood splatters but nothing I considered particularly graphic or gory.

On the plus side, both pilots are extremely admirable and resourceful, making the protection of their passengers their top priority, and as for Gaspare, he quotes a priest who told him "Redemption can be found in the most unusual places" -- and proceeds to live that out.

Particular kudos go to Daniella Pineda as Bonnie, the brave head of the flight attendant team. Seeing her and her colleagues at work during the frightening storm and the other situations they face was wonderful.

PLANE does exactly what it sets out to do: It's simply a well-made movie which entertains. There are relatively few films I'm interested in seeing this year, and I won't be surprised if PLANE ends up being one of my favorite "new" movies of 2023.

PLANE was directed by Jean-Francois Richet and filmed by Brendan Galvin in Puerto Rico.

Last week it was announced that Mike Colter's character will return in a sequel, SHIP, which will start production later this year. I'm on board (no pun intended...well, maybe it is).

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