Movies can be art. They can be an escape while being terrible and fun at the same time. It’s the beauty of cinema where one person’s award winner is another’s worst experience. In that vein, Plane is a movie of dichotomy that will probably be panned by critics but beloved by theater-goers because while the quality of the content may be aesthetically rough, its nervous joy ride is on display.
Captain Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) finds himself battling both weather and a Polynesian warlord. In order to protect the crew and passengers of his commercial airplane, he will need to trust one passenger nobody else would in Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), an escaped convict found guilty of murder being transported on his plane.
Full disclosure here: this is not a good film, but it is a fun movie.
Butler plays the grizzled Scotsman he seems to fit into every picture he has done quite a bit lately. True to form, he’s a likable character with an edge who goes above to protect those around him which is always fun to watch from him. Colter is perfectly suited as the misunderstood convict you’re never sure you can fully trust but also has a charm that makes you want to know more. Tony Goldwyn is also here in a role that seemed to feel like his screen time was contractually bound and is not to the caliber of character he should be playing
If this was made more like a buddy cop movie set in a jungle with Butler and Colter, this would have a chance at greater success. Instead, it is a thrown together action flick with some very odd choices being made by director Jean-François Richet. I’d also be willing to bet that there is a ton of footage that made certain details more story inclusive rather than odd quirks in the characters like Goldwyn’s.
If you’re a fan of movies that allow you to tune out and enjoy the ride, Plane is definitely for you. I know I’ll watch it again from that perspective and will again have a good time.