Mel Gibson’s ‘Flight Risk’ Offers Pure, B-Movie Fun

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Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” opens with a wanted fugitive being arrested while hiding out in Alaska.

The U.S. Marshal who arrested Topher Grace’s character, Winston, is Madolyn (played by Michelle Dockery). She charters a private plane to transport herself and the fugitive Winston to New York City, where he is required to testify in a significant criminal trial.

In a more casual tone, we can say: Madolyn hires a jovial and proficient pilot named Daryl (Mark Wahlberg). This threesome embarks on a journey, the flight ends smoothly without any mishaps. They all lead contented lives full of joy and live blissfully until the end of their days.

The End.

Just kidding.

Initially, events take a turn for the worse. Unbeknownst to each other, both the pilot and the two passengers conceal various secrets. A lethal struggle for dominance over the aircraft unfolds mid-flight as they navigate treacherous landscapes.

In a shift from his previous heavy, epic dramas, “Flight Risk” showcases Mel Gibson, the renowned actor-turned-director, enjoying himself. This playfulness is both appealing (since it’s a B-movie, you either embrace it or move on) and potentially disappointing (following “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Apocalypto,” and “The Passion of the Christ,” one might anticipate more depth from Gibson).

Despite really enjoying “Flight Risk,” there’s a significant issue: despite being only 91 minutes long, it still includes unnecessary scenes. The second act is overly dialogue-focused, which dilutes the tension, provides excess character background, and slows down what should have been a swift paced storyline.

The story ‘Flight Risk’ starts off captivatingly, however, the middle part seems to drag on excessively. The ending is satisfying, but the tale continues past where it ought to have concluded.

It’s also bookended by CGI that wouldn’t fool a child.

Gibson doesn’t manage to create a Hitchcock-like atmosphere, but he maintains an entertaining level of fun comparable to “Turbulence” (1997) and “Cellular” (2004). While this might seem like a light compliment, I actually enjoy these films.

Nevertheless, a movie that surpasses the others is Philip Noyce’s “Dead Calm” (1989), the gripping, three-character, single location thriller. The film “Flight Risk” could have emulated this style. “Dead Calm” maintains its tension, even with multiple viewings, thanks to the powerful trio of Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman, and Billy Zane.

Regarding the casting, “Flight Risk” hits the mark perfectly with its primary three characters. Wahlberg delivers a remarkable performance, a role that Gibson might have shined in during earlier stages of his career (envision his captivating character from “Conspiracy Theory,” but with the intensity turned up significantly).

Somehow, Grace’s character, despite being irritating at times, becomes lovable throughout the narrative. Nevertheless, it is undeniably Dockery who delivers a captivating performance with depth and intensity in this production, particularly in “Downton Abbey.

In this role, Dockery holds her own against Wahlberg’s powerful and genuinely frightening portrayal, even engaging in physical confrontations with him at times. While Wahlberg has delivered stellar performances in the past, Dockery’s acting here warrants more leading roles for her in future projects.

Gibson skillfully balances the shots and edits, ensuring there’s a sufficient number of scenes showing the plane’s exterior, thus avoiding an overly claustrophobic feel. The constant danger of death that surrounds the three primary characters is effectively conveyed throughout the narrative.

If you feel that my request might seem excessive to the director, please recall that Mel Gibson, who has created masterpieces such as “Braveheart”, a Best Picture winner I enjoy revisiting, also directed the powerful films “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Apocalypto”. Even his critics would agree that the intensity and quality of these movies are truly impressive.

To be clear, I’m not trying to belittle it, but rather state honestly – The first movie directed by Gibson, “The Man Without a Face” (1993), carries more impact than “Flight Risk.

A lengthy scene is shown of a bound, bloodied hand, reminiscent of both “Braveheart” and “The Passion of the Christ.” This isn’t necessarily a hallmark of Gibson’s direction, but I hope he continues to direct and offers more movies in the future.

There’s been a lot of talk about it for a while, but the anticipated follow-up to “The Passion of the Christ” is shaping up to be quite exciting. At this moment, we find Mark Wahlberg embodying the spirit of Wile E. Coyote, clearly enjoying every minute of it.

You could do a lot worse in January.

From a personal perspective, I watched the movie alongside my dad, a seasoned pilot who once piloted a Cessna airplane. During our viewing, he pointed out an incredibly unrealistic scene – the aircraft seemingly gliding through a snowdrift without any damage or crash.

Upon completion, we concurred that the movie provided enjoyable moments, yet it might have been improved by reducing dialogue and increasing suspenseful action instead.

Two and a Half Stars (out of four)

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2025-02-04 22:04