Review of Con Air (1997) by Philip R — 21 Mar 2010

In this kick ass 1997 action masterpiece, Nicolas Cage plays Cameron Poe, a newly released ex-con and former U.S. Army Ranger who finds himself trapped on a prisoner transport plane full of dangerous criminals: Nathan â??Diamond Dogâ?? Jones (Ving Rhames), Johnny â??Johnny 23â?? Baca (Danny Trejo), Joe â??Pinballâ?? Parker (Dave Chappelle), and Garland â??The Marietta Manglerâ?? Greene (Steve Buscemi).

All led by the cunning and intelligent Cyrus â??The Virusâ?? Grissom (John Malkovich) who all seize control of the plane after takeoff. Along with the help of a U.S. Marshall (John Cusack), Poe has to find a way to stop the criminals from escaping the country, while playing along as one of them, before itâ??s too late.

This is both Nicolas Cage and Jerry Bruckheimer's 2nd film together after the hit 1996 movie The Rock, and I got to say that this was a great f**king movie. British director Simon West made his directorial debut in this film and would later go on to direct the hit 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

I have to say Cage got his southern accent from his music hero Elvis Presley, and I love how he says â??Viva Las Vegasâ?? towards the end of the movie. John Malkovich's performance as Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom was one of his best since I saw him in the Clint Eastwood film In the Line of Fire.

Filled with action, comedy, and excitement, CON AIR is without a doubt a Jerry Bruckheimer Classic and one of my favorite movies of his.