IR Film Review: PLANE [Lionsgate]

The texture of "Plane" has not been unseen in movie memory but its effectiveness is undeniably sound. Instead of a CG or more heightened thriller, Gerard Butler has delivered a more grounded, economical but also well- paced and well-acted action movie. The premise is fairly simple: a plane has to ditch in a part of the South China Sea in an area that is lawless with almost no way to contact the rest of the world, and the clock is running. What is interesting is that the film jumps from different perspectives around the world as time pushes in, and that gives it context. The movie also takes its time, without wasting time, setting up the premise but also the skill that Butler's Captain Torrance has, without making him superhuman. This utterly reflects later on in the movie in some final moments, where the camera could have just cut...it stays there, but it doesn't feel melodramatic...it feels earned.

The story beats are based in reality of the character. Torrance reacts at many points as a person might react in the situation. As the trailer shows, he does team up with a prisoner who was being transported on his flight (played by Mike Colter, in a nicely balanced role). Despite any background of the character, Colter's is a positive story and makes sense, even in the character's decisions as other people of lesser character enter the frame. But those people have their reasons to in terms of survival. The brutish tactics definitely create stakes.

What the film does is not waste time doing is telling tales of why but letting it happen and letting the audience take away what they will. It is the same thing with the passengers. Many films would need to tell you more and more about their backstory but you hear just enough to give it stakes. Same with Butler's co-pilot. Again very economical. And as the film moves towards its conclusion, it maintains its energy while still giving it that bombastic feel (helped along with Marco Beltrami's score). The film is also produced by Lorenzo Di Bonventura and he understands these movies where the story is tight, the action motivated and the end result satisfying. B+

By Tim Wassberg