Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying

Actually this movie is a bit better than the ridiculous first part, which was nothing less than shameful. But when I saw this I actually had a good time. Now I thinking seriously about renting part 3, but who knows...

This is a fairly awful film, a purported "sequel" (in name only, methinks) to the Ray Liotta film "Turbulence"m made in 1997.

Well, its three years later, and Liotta is nowhere in sight, but this goofy film, about a group of "fear of flying" types who are beset on their voyage by hijackers, bad weather, and pretty much anything else that can go wrong on a flight, also goes by the name "Turbulence II", probably for video purposes.

Alas, this "Fear of Flying" ain't a film version of Erica Jong's novel, just a very silly film that uses about a half dozen sets, some really comical performances, and some not-too-great visual effects that would make Ed Wood envious.

Its really odd seeing good actors like Craig Sheffer, Jennifer Beals and Tom Berenger trying to work with this bad script.

Even more bizarre (for me, anyways) was the sight of Jeffrey Nordling, of the ABC dramedy "Once and Again", sporting an inept European accent, attempting to bonk Beals in the lavatory of the plane, which, in my experience, are hardly big enough for one, let alone two people coupling !

Oh well, what else can I say ?

The portentous music, horrible acting,bad plotting,and terrible effects make "Turbulence II:Fear of Flying" a film experience that will cause all Ed Wood fans to rejoice - He lives !

TURBULENCE 2: FEAR OF FLYING / (2000) *1/2 (out of four)

By Blake French:

"Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying" is an unusually stupid movie-but what can we expect from a straight-to-video action picture with few known actors and even fewer similarities with the original 1997 thriller "Turbulence." It's a shallow, incompetent movie with no brains and no thrills. The production contains many characters and a legion of plot twists, but they are meaningless to the actual story. None of those twists or characters contributes to the interest factor, and we are stuck watching utter insanity for almost two hours. This is not a smooth ride.

The story centers on a group of ordinary pedestrians who recently completed a therapy program to overcome their fear of flying. They celebrate by taking a flight to L.A. Unfortunately a clan of terrorists hijack the plane. They carry with them a load of extremely dangerous chemical weapons. After killing the pilot, they threaten to kill the rest of the passengers if given any trouble. One of the passengers isn't going to go down without a fight, however, and he's ready to save the day.

I watched "Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying" with great interest in how a movie so centered on an airplane could have no clue about the technical aspects of airplanes. Would any airline employee fire a gun inside a flying jet? Would it be possible for a young boy to run outside on the tarmac at a major airport with being stopped by someone? Is it possible to stand feet away from an open door on a jet going so fast? Can someone control the flaps from within the cargo hold? Are there really elevators aboard a 747? Can a handgun fire twenty-two rounds without reloading? This movie answers yes to all of those questions. I am no expert, but I beg to differ.

Most of the characters are one-dimensional and thoughtless plot puppets who do nothing but utter howlingly bad dialogue. Although many of the characters have a great fear of flying, their fear somehow disappears once the terrorists take over the flight. Some of the twists are kind of fun and surprising, but many exist only to provide a split second shock. The action lacks aim. The direction lacks impulse. The movie lacks a point, and just about everything else.

The actors in "Turbulence 2: Fear of Flying" don't really know what to do with their stereotypical characters because there isn't much for them to do. We can sense an inclination of talent involved with this production since the performances are fair and the set designs believable. But the script's stupidity is too distracting for any informed moviegoer to redeem satisfaction from this cluttered mess of an action picture. This is just another addition into the stupid hijack movie of the month series-but this one is more ridiculous than most.

"Fear of Flying: Turbulence II" does not pretend to be anything it is not. It is simply a formula airline-that-must-be-brought-down-by-passenger-taking-direction-from-the-ground-whilst-sitting-in-pilots-seat-where-said-pilot-is (insert one):dead/predisposed/poisoned etc.

This runs along the lines of the great 70's era tragedy films like Airport '77, Towering Inferno and the like. "Fear" has plotted this along that very formula, so much so that the inevitable hero of the movies son races out onto the tarmac as the inevitable plane is safely guided to the ground at the climactic ending with music crescendoing and you knew this would happen all along. So what? I cannot deny I was truly entertained. The dialogue was humorous-intentional at times- and I did find myself and colleagues arguing about who the actual terrorists were on the flight through out the film-is it him? No, it's gotta be him! Of all the critically acclaimed movies I have seen, this one is not by far, but it is fondly remembered. Kill an hour and a half or so with this.

"Turbulence II: Fear Of Flying"

Released by: Trimark Pictures. Release date: August 2nd, 2000 (VENEZUELA; theatrical release), Fall 2000 (USA; video premiere).

I saw the movie in theaters here in Venezuela and i thought that the movie was pretty good. The movie has a pretty bad plotting and Bad/Good acting. This movie was the first Trimark movie to be released in theaters in Venezuela. Although that the film's ending was pretty bad, they're making "Turbulence III" which has a bad plot and will be released on video and (internationally) in theaters.

I rate "Turbulence II": *** out *****