Flight Risk

Flight Risk is Mel Gibson's latest film (a thriller/action piece) and stars Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. It made my list of most anticipated for the year, and much like my experience with Wolf Man, I enjoyed this film for what it was. Simple plot, decent acting and action, and not anything that wears out its welcome. While there are some nitpicks I had about various moments that didn't feel quite so solid, the film as a whole was enjoyable enough that I wasn't pissed or disappointed. As I've mentioned before, I consider that a win these days. Video review is on my YouTube channel.

I wasn't even going to go see this film after seeing the preview. It just looked so standard in the ad, and I felt it gave away too much of the story. Then I noticed it was directed by Mel. So, I thought why not, I've seen everything else he's directed. So I used my points to go see it, and I must say. I think it definitely is a little better than how it comes across in the ad. The filmmaking is definitely solid. The film creates some fairly tense moments, even though it's one of those films where you sort of have an idea as to how it will likely end. It is a fairly straightforward and simple film for sure. However it is well made, and the script is definitely not as unintelligently written as most Hollywood films these days. The dialogue is perhaps a little harsh for some, but that actually also helps this film build the decent amount of tension that it needs to work reasonably well. I definitely don't regret going to see it on the big screen. For many people, this will be worth a watch for sure.

I think Mel may have taken this project in order to help fund his own passion projects, and why not? They definitely made a decent little film out of this in my view. In fact, I'd say it's a fairly good date movie if you all can handle some creepy dialogue and a little bit of gore.

What is also refreshing about this script, is that even though a female has a major role in the film. The script doesn't enter into any of these overly naive and ridiculous political narratives that so many other Hollywood films these days do. If I see another one of those films, I'm going to be sick right in the theatre. So look out people.

6.5/10.

I enjoyed everything about this movie and the tension was well maintained, right to the very end.

It may have been confusing in some parts but I later realised that it created frantic scenarios in a tiny plane space which I feel was masterfully done.

I had no expectation and knew nothing about the story line and watched it for what it is - very entertaining, a great thriller with a good pace.

I had no idea it was directed by Mel Gibson - I think he did a great job. We need more stories like this, quick to the point and honest about what it is without unnecessary details that hinder the tension. Every time you start to feel at ease and think things are finally in control something will happen to unsettle you.

Flight Risk is the very definition of the term "Straight to DVD movie" from which I know it is a redundant statement in the modern era, but you get the point. The film is a low-budget thriller with a decent premise to kill an evening, and with Mel Gibson directing at the helm, I thought it might be worth checking out. Unfortunately, the film doesn't pay off as anything remarkable. Mark Wahlberg is introduced as a wise-cracking, charismatic pilot who holds the screen well initially, but the character fails to blossom throughout the film to anything interesting. My main confusion is the tone, the movie consistently juggles between a sort of intense thriller and an intentional comedy. However, I didn't find the jokes or light humor funny and considering the situation they are all placed in, it just perplexed me. I feel that if the film focused on being a straight up thriller, it could have been a pretty decent little flick. Not to mention a final shot that I found a rather bizarre choice to end on. Overall, Flight Risk contains strong performances, and is nicely directed, but narratively speaking it could have been a lot better.

Wow. This might be the worst movie I have seen at the cinema for a long long time. I really can't understand how it got passed as a theatrical release. Straight to TV at best, if it should've been made at all!

I won't give the plot away in case anyone reading this is into wasting 90 minutes of their lives but suffice it to say even Mark Wahlberg can't save this one. And on that note...I can't even see the point in Wahlberg's character. The witness/prisoner was worthy of a smack in the mouth most the way through the film, absolutely not funny and irritating as hell until the final scenes when his predicament actually makes him a semi-likeable character.

This film is full of a lot of "whys" for me. "Why didn't you just shoot him?" "Why is the pilot on the airwaves immediately on the pull?" "Why is Mark Wahlberg sporting a rascal fake bald head??" "Why is the aircraft still flying after plummeting through thick mountain top snow?" "Why did Mel Gibson bother??" I could go on...