Fight or Flight

Fight or Flight is a perfect example of a fun movie. So, what makes a fun action flick? Let's explore.

First, you have to have good pacing. Things need to move, plot points need to happen frequently, slow parts/character moments need to be relatively short. This movie succeeds.

Second, the action needs to be on the crazy side, a bit over-the-top. No holding back, no cowardly PG-13 rating. Blood and gore are a plus. And a cherry on top would be if the action is filmed clearly, easy for the viewer to see. This movie succeeds.

Third, add some humor, preferably organic to the premise as opposed to inserting random jokes. If the tone of the movie is bloody, then use the bloodiness for humor. Make me laugh at the extent of the carnage. This movie succeeds.

Josh Hartnett does a great job in this role, especially with the humor. I had an awesome time with this movie and would watch it again.

(1 viewing, 5/5/2025)

I stumbled upon the 2025 movie "Fight or Flight" and opted to watch it on account of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen. In fact, I had never even heard about the movie prior to watching it, so I didn't know what I was in for. But usually the movies that Josh Hartnett shows up in tend to be watchable.

And color me impressed here. Writers Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona put together a rather enjoyable storyline. Sure, it was a somewhat simplistic storyline, but there was so much action and violence crammed into the narrative that it was just well-worth taking 97 minutes to sit through. I was genuinely and wholeheartedly enjoying this action-packed thrill ride that is "Fight or Flight".

Josh Hartnett was phenomenally cast for this movie and he carried it so nicely. It was a pleasure to watch him back on the screen and in top form, nonetheless. He alone made it well-worth watching "Fight or Flight". Aside from Josh Hartnett, then there was only one other familiar face on the screen for me, and that was Katee Sackhoff. But they had a great cast ensemble, whom put on good acting performances throughout the course of the movie.

There is a lot of action and violence throughout the course of the 97 minutes that the movie runs for. And it was phenomenal to watch. It was choreographed nicely and executed equally nicely on the screen, just heightening the overall enjoyment of watching the movie. Much like "John Wick", the action and violence is almost a constant throughout the entire movie.

"Fight or Flight" is laced with some light comedy, which definitely helps to top off the violence and action. It was a nice combination and I had some good chuckles throughout the course of the movie.

It has been quite some time since I've been this entertained by an action movie. So thumbs up to director James Madigan and writers Brooks McLaren and D. J. Cotrona for that accomplishment.

This is definitely a movie that I will warmly recommend you to watch.

However, I will say that the ending of the movie certainly left much to be desired. The ending of the movie was like a slap to the face with a cold, dead fish, especially after having sat through 97 minutes of nearly non-stop entertaining action and violence. Now, the ending of the movie didn't ruin the viewing experience for me, not at all, but it just was a way too abrupt and out-of-nowhere type of ending.

My rating of "Fight or Flight" lands on a most well-deserved seven out of ten stars.

This film was better than I expected. Is it a masterpiece, definitely not, is it the worst thing I've ever seen definitely not.

It's very 90s esq cheesy action film based around a group of assasins trying to kill someone on a plane while a drunk former secret service operative tries to save her. Do not watch this film expecting to see an Oscar worthy great.

However, Josh Hartnett is really good and carries the film well. It's the first thing I've seen Charithra Chandran in and thought she was really good to. The action is over the top and stupid but at the same time entertaining.

The worst thing about the movie is the ending where the film is left unfinished and set up for a sequel, which is a huge pet hate of mine.

I was really impressed with Josh's Peter Lorresque turn in last year's underrated Trap. However after a long lay-off to raise a family his choices have been kind of sketchy, and something about his essential midwestern idealism doesn't read as a jaded former operative called out of his drunken stupor in Thailand to find a spy on a transcontinental flight back to the states. There's kind of an interesting Agatha Christie quality to his queries of whom on the flight it could be between the usual "when are they adding stunt work as an Oscars category?" over-choreographed fight scenes, but the film of course feels cobbled together from familiar sources (the expletive-filled lazy dialogue in the agency with a strangely Jessica Chastainesque Katee Sackoff made one miss the subtleties of Black Book). The film offered intriguing questions ("Is there really a full shower offered in Malaysian Business Class?"), but it'd be neat if say the BBC did a series about the flight crew of one of these snazzy flights alone rather than having Liam, Brad or Josh beating up people around them; they seem like an interesting, fun bunch. Oh well, caught my favorite two minutes of Pugh and Harbour in Thunderbolts again and Gene Hackman marathon on TCM tonight. Good enough for me. Cheers!

Fight or Flight is basically Bullet Train but on a plane. More specifically the plot is about Josh Hartnett playing an exiled spec ops who is called for one last mission to retrieve a wanted criminal from an airplane full of assassins. If you like Bullet Train then you will like this movie. I really enjoy Josh Hartnett in general and he does a great job as the leading man. Charithra Chandran is also great as a reluctant flight attendant who helps Josh's character. Overall the cast is good and the story is fun but wacky. There is a subplot revolving around the company who hired Josh that honestly the reveal is super head scratching. I kinda get with what they are going for but it feels totally unnecessary. The movie does gives you the gruesome fights and deaths it advertises. My biggest complaint though is I wish it went further with its baddies like Bullet Train did. You remembered all of the weird gimmicky assassins and added to the charm of the movie. For Fight or Flight, other than 1 or 2 gimmicky assassins, the rest are just some nameless boring stand ins. The movie also ends in a cliffhanger, hinting at a sequel which is really head scratching. But I still enjoyed it for the wacky story and kills.