Overview – Soaring Into Danger
As an aviation enthusiast and frequent flyer, I was excited to watch Flight Risk, the new action thriller directed by Mel Gibson. The movie follows a commercial airline pilot named Will Martin (Mark Wahlberg) as he grapples with an Air Marshal named Alexa Hammond (Michelle Dockery) and a wanted fugitive named Michael Trask (Topher Grace) during a routine flight that quickly descends into chaos at 30,000 feet. With its star-studded cast and premise of clashing characters trapped together in a confined space, I hoped Flight Risk would provide high-octane entertainment through tense standoffs and daring stunts.
Engaging Performances Lift the Story
One of the main highlights of Flight Risk was the talented lead actors who compellingly embodied their roles. Mark Wahlberg brought his trademark intensity to hotshot pilot Will, portraying him as cunning and resourceful in the face of danger. Michelle Dockery shed her Downton Abbey persona as the no-nonsense Air Marshal Alexa, showcasing her action chops. Topher Grace was ideal casting for the unassuming fugitive Michael, using his charisma to add layers of complexity. The confrontations between them crackled with energy. Their performances kept me invested even when the plot occasionally lagged.
Turbulence in the Script
While the acting was strong, Flight Risk’s script left something to be desired. The set-up of having the main characters isolated on a plane provided a tight, claustrophobic setting. However, the story didn’t fully capitalize on the contained environment for maximum tension. The stakes didn’t always feel high enough as Will, Alexa, and Michael schemed against each other. Some of the character motivations were also muddled, making their actions seem perplexing at times. The final act attempted to ramp up excitement with a terrorist hijacking subplot, but it felt tacked on just for extra action. I wish the cat-and-mouse games between the leads had remained the primary focus.
Sky-High Action Sequences
What Flight Risk lacked in plot it made up for with truly thrilling, vertigo-inducing aerial sequences. Director Mel Gibson has always known how to craft action, and his talents are on full display here. The scenes of Will heroically maneuvering the jet through storms and narrowly avoiding disastrous collisions were white-knuckle feats. Alexa’s slick takedowns of terrorists reminded me of a James Bond film. An attack sequence by skydiving mercenaries was an exhilarating climax. The aerial stunts and special effects were incredibly realistic – I practically felt like I was right there in the plane with the characters!
Turbulence Hampers a Smooth Flight
While I found Flight Risk to be an entertaining rollercoaster overall, the weaknesses in the storytelling failed to match the strengths of the performances and action sequences. As both a movie fan and aviation buff, I can only give this a 3 out of 5 stars. The recycled hijacking plot, one-dimensional villains and missed opportunities with the characters prevented Flight Risk from truly soaring to great heights. But if you only care about adrenaline-pumping stunts and A-list stars trading blows, this in-flight thriller mostly satisfies. Just don’t expect anything more than a diversionary action flick. Turn off your brain, buckle in your seatbelt and enjoy the bumpy ride!