PLOT: A mercenary takes on the job of monitoring down a goal on a aircraft however should shield her once they’re surrounded by individuals making an attempt to kill each of them.
REVIEW: Final yr’s Entice proved regardless of the movie, Josh Hartnett will ship an awesome efficiency that may anchor any story. It’s been superior to see him again in main roles and proving why he by no means ought to have left. And I don’t learn about you, however I like an airplane film. Air Pressure One, Pink Eye, and even Snakes on Airplane proved how a lot tense enjoyable may be had aboard an airplane. You then’ve received Combat or Flight, which pits one goal in opposition to a aircraft stuffed with assassins proving there are much more excessive stakes at being trapped 30,000 ft within the air. However as severe because it sounds, that is decidedly extra humorous than anticipated.
Combat or Flight is excessive vitality from minute one and retains the momentum going all through the movie. Following Lucas Reyes, a mercenary who has to guard a goal referred to as The Ghost on a aircraft from the numerous assassins out to kill them. It’s a easy plot that has lots of mileage because of the efficiency on the middle by Josh Hartnett. Reyes clearly had a tough previous and is drowning himself in medicine to flee actuality. It’s removed from the same old straight-laced motion hero lead. He has a enjoyable dynamic with Charithra Chandran‘s Isha, a flight attendant on the aircraft who helps Reyes.
As a Battlestar Galactica fan, Katee Sackhoff can do no fallacious, so it’s nice to see her as the pinnacle of the group that’s sending Reyes after The Ghost. She’s commanding however nonetheless has some humor to her, being extra than simply the standard “powerful leader” sort. There are some enjoyable twists and turns that may maintain you guessing, whereas by no means feeling out of left area. I gained’t deny that there aren’t some acquainted beats to a number of the reveals however it by no means enters corny territory. That is ridiculous and excessive, and absolutely embraces each. As a lot as I like logic, realism doesn’t at all times must go along with it. This doesn’t draw back from the absurd, and it makes it stand out tonally.
It’s laborious to make an motion film today, as just about all the things has been achieved earlier than. I admire creativity, even when it doesn’t break financial institution, and Combat or Flight actually swings for the fences. The struggle scenes take inspiration from John Wick, with lengthy, unbroken takes, and rarely only a singular motion. There are a number of beats taking place inside the body, avoiding the nauseating shaky cam development. It’s impactful and doesn’t really feel overly choreographed. I like a excessive physique depend and this one will get fairly detailed in its carnage. These aren’t only a bunch of easy shootings. There are all kinds of weapons getting used, starting from chainsaws to fireplace sprinklers to climbing axes. It’s an awesome combine that forestalls issues from getting stale.
The airplane has all of the hallmarks of a traditional aircraft film set, being far bigger than any aircraft I’ve seen. Take for instance the toilet, which is laughably giant and has far more house than any even have in actuality. However that’s a part of the enjoyable. There are a few dumb moments, like a random yoga class whose solely there to make enjoyable of. However the few bits of sophomoric humor don’t break the in any other case enjoyable movie. The rating follows the Hans Zimmer path, and Composer Paul Saunderson does an excellent job of creating this slot in with fashionable motion. Motion scores really feel like such an afterthought today so it’s good that it has some persona.
Much like 2022’s Bullet Practice, Combat or Flight is ready to keep away from the identical errors, by no means making an attempt to do an excessive amount of and may be very conscious of its limitations. This isn’t a $100 Million movie and it doesn’t should be. They make the most of their assets properly and Hartnett as Lucas Reyes is simply so rattling enjoyable. There’s a twist on this movie that’s so sudden, but makes all the things so significantly better in hindsight, that it actually ties a pleasant bow on it. And it actually felt acceptable for the trendy period. Right here’s hoping that this lands with a bang, and we’re capable of get the sequel that’s teased. As a result of I would like extra of this world.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT IS IN THEATERS ON MAY 9TH, 2025.
