The movie “Plane” is an example of an action film where the simple title – its most notable feature – isn’t a creative choice but more of an excuse. The film’s straightforward nature makes its shortcomings in character development, plot, and action sequences seem less significant. It features Gerard Butler in a self-rescue mission, where he tries to save his passengers and crew from hostile Filipino militants following a crash landing, setting a low bar for expectations.
Produced by Butler, this movie seems to be his way of avoiding superhero roles or extreme stunts like Tom Cruise. While Butler has had success in similar movies, “Plane” suffers because it doesn’t fully embrace its silliness. It tries to mimic the style of 1980s action films, but misses several opportunities for excitement, as director Jean-François Richet hurries through the story.
The excitement in “Plane” peaks during a crash scene. Lightning hits the plane during a storm, causing it to lose power and forcing an emergency landing in the Philippines. The 14 passengers panic, especially when seatbelt rules are ignored. The crash scene is intense, featuring some graphic stunts. Butler’s character, pilot Brodie Torrance, along with his co-pilot Samuel (Yoson An), manage a daring landing.
The film oddly shows a text message close-up without letting us read it, hinting that characters are not central to the story. The exception is a handcuffed fugitive, Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), whose violent past becomes useful when they land in dangerous territory. Butler and Colter’s characters then face off against generic villains, with little teamwork between them.
A key scene involves a fight in a warehouse, with the camera focusing on Butler as he battles a larger opponent. However, the movie quickly moves from one crisis to another, skimping on substantial storytelling. Hostage scenarios are resolved too easily, and gunfights feel disconnected. Colter’s character, despite an intriguing introduction, doesn’t develop much.
The most memorable element of the film is a large rifle used by American mercenaries. This gun, more than any character, provides the dramatic highlight, reminiscent of the extreme violence in “Rambo” (2008). The other characters, including Butler’s weary pilot and Colter’s stoic fugitive, are underdeveloped, leading to a lack of investment in their fates.
Back in New York, the film also touches on airline companies’ readiness to protect their passengers, with scenes set in a corporate boardroom. These scenes, featuring characters like the airline’s CEO Hampton (Paul Ben-Victor) and a blunt PR expert Scarsdale (Tony Goldwyn), add a superficial layer of heroism and are filmed in a manner similar to Butler’s other movies, like “Olympus Has Fallen.”
In summary, “Plane” is a blend of action clichés and half-hearted storytelling, relying more on its action sequences than on character or plot development. The film ends up feeling like a missed opportunity to create a truly entertaining action movie.
