Air Force One

Air Force One is a well-functioning action film with an insanely exciting plot. The action takes place mostly on Air Force One, the American president's top-security aircraft, which against all odds is hijacked by a Central European terrorist group led by the cruel Ivan Korshunov. They want the Kazakh despot General Radek released from a Russian prison, where he has just been locked up after being captured by American special forces.

Since the president is played by Harrison Ford, it goes almost without saying that he does not put his tail between his legs and flee in the special capsule intended for the president should such an unthinkable disaster occur. The president does have the element of surprise on his side, however, for both the terrorists and, at first, his own people believe that he is no longer on the plane. President James Marshall is a highly decorated soldier, the Americans' dream of a president who single-handedly takes on the hostage-takers - and wins.

The greatest quality of Air Force One is that it is nail-bitingly exciting, with a well-turned plot. What does not speak in its favour are some of the absurdities it persists with. The film's patriotism is downright nauseating and, moreover, breaks the illusion because it is so hair-raisingly unrealistic. Besides, I am getting tired of seeing Gary Oldman repeat his despicable villain role.