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The hijacking of an airplane in the movies is a time-honored tradition, their popularity exploding in the 1970s when real life terrorism took to the skies. While the prospect of such an ordeal is beyond harrowing to think about, on the big screen, it let heroes do their thing and gave audiences lots to root for while soaking in some great action and cool visual effects. Some movies take it seriously and some well, not so much. Here are 3 Good and 3 Bad Airplane Hijack Movies.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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UNITED 93
For those who lived through the 2001 September 11th attacks, 2006 still felt too soon for a biopic about the tragedy, and yet, Paul Greengrass pulled off the unimaginable, delivering a powerful film that stood in honor of the people aboard the ill-fated titular plane that crashed in a field in Somerset, Pennsylvania when passengers aboard took to taking back control of the airplane. With a cast of unknowns, it is devoid of the clichés and background stories of any on the flight, simply a real time harrowing journey in unfolding events seen from inside the aircraft and a nearby control tower. It’s emotional, disturbing, and brilliant. [/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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TURBULENCE
Back in 1997, disaster films were getting a bit of a resurgence as CGI technology began to give adventurous filmmakers greater access to more realistic visual destruction on screen, however, director Robert Butler headed for the clouds in this absurd crime thriller that sees accused murdered Ryan Weaver (Ray Liotta) and fellow prisoner Stubbs (Brendan Gleeson) transported by four US marshals aboard a Boeing 747 from New York City to LA on Christmas Eve. While the plane is nearly empty, all hell breaks loose when Stubbs makes a play for freedom and soon bullets and punches are everywhere with the inconceivable Lauren Holly as a flight attendant turned action hero. Oh, and there’s an explosion, the pilot is shot and they are flying straight into a Category 6 storm. Wait for the next flight.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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NEERJA
You’ve probably never even heard of this film but it’s not like we haven’t tried to tell you before how good this one is. While not a Hollywood movie, this Hindi-language real-life story was critically acclaimed worldwide for its depiction of Neerja Bhanot‘s (Sonam Kapoor) selfless acts of heroism as her plane becomes hijacked by a Libyan-sponsored terrorist group. Taking place in 1986, it follows 22-year-old Neerja who returns home from an abusive marriage and lands a job with Pan Am, where Flight 73 is taken over while still on the ground. Neerja saves the American flight crew, and then commits to saving the remaining passengers, putting herself constantly in harm’s way as she struggles to defuse the situation. It’s a suspenseful and jarring experience from director Ram Madhvani. Don’t hesitate.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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AIR FORCE ONE
Okay, so calm down. I know what you’re thinking, that surely this is one of the best in the genre, but in truth, the film, while very well acted and directed, is painfully thin and contrived, filled with unbelievable plot points that cater only to action rather than depth. It’s directed by the usually dependable Wolfgang Petersen and stars Harrison Ford as the President of the United States who, while traveling in Moscow, finds his plane overrun by former Soviet extremists led by Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman), who demands the release of a radical General turned dictator (Jürgen Prochnow). Making the president an action hero and skipping anything with any sense of authenticity, the film is purposefully catering to a fistacuffs attitude that yes, is entertaining for what it is, yet wholly disappointing for its lost potential. We explain more why right here.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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EXECUTIVE DECISION
Now, some of you might swap this with Air Force One as they both would seem stitched of the same cloth, yet where Air Force One takes itself entirely too seriously and creates a scenario that is never believable, director Stuart Baird‘s Executive Decision is terrific escapism that offers plenty of genuine surprises, a vulnerable hero and some great moments of action and smarts. It even as a pretty cool start that sets up one thing and an expected real hero before completely abandoning that and going in a different direction. Kurt Russell stars as a Jack Ryan type who works as an analyst thrust into danger when a passenger plane heading for Washington D.C. is hijacked by terrorists with a sinister plan. Using stealth and intelligence, he and his crew, along with the help of Holly Berry as a helpful flight attendant, work to retake the plane. Learn more about why this is great here.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”NEXT” ]
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SKYJACKED
During the 1960s, an astonishing number of airline hijackings rocked the industry and so naturally, movie studios took to capitalize on the trend, with this 1972 thriller directed by John Guillermin, what some consider the first in the genre. It stars Charlton Heston as captain of a Boeing 707 passenger plane where a flight attendance (Susan Dey) has discovered a number of bomb threats written on bathroom mirrors and meal napkins. He diverts to Alaska, avoiding other dangers, and lands safely while on board, a mentally unstable Vietnam War vet (James Brolin) takes control. Filled with clichés and plenty of the usual 70s era guffaws we cringe at now, it at least has an impassioned performance from Heston despite its rather generic story and obvious plotting. Upgrade your ticket pronto.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”PREVIOUS” ]
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BONUS: PASSENGER 57
Director Kevin Hooks‘ 1992 thriller starring Wesley Snipes is not going to top any list of great films, however, this tight, raw, action-packed slice of kick-booty is a perfect storm of acting and direction. At a brisk 84 minutes, Snipes plays John Cutter, a retired United States Secret Service agent recovering from the loss of his wife, now training flight attendants in self defense. He’s offered a new job in Atlanta and becomes the 57th passenger of a plane soon hijacked by Charles Rane (Bruce Payne), a psychopath being escorted by the FBI to prison. What follows in a wild ride of great humor, a genuinely scary madman, and Snipes at the very top of his game. Great fun.[/nextpage]