Flight of the Phoenix

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Giovanni Ribisi, Miranda Otto
Directed by: John Moore
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure, Action
Box Office: $21,009,180
2004

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After a plane crash in the middle of the Sahara desert, the survivors realize their fate is pretty well sealed. That is, until a mysterious passenger (Giovanni Ribisi) on the plane proposes an ingenius and borderline ridiculous plan- to build a new aircraft out of the wreckage of the old one. Despite the disbelief of the plane's pilot (Dennis Quaid), the survivors enter a race against time to finish their craft and fly to safety.

Review:
Tim: This is actually a really excellent remake. The original film with Jimmy Stewart was great, and this movie achieves the same level of success as the original (in quality, not necessarily at the box office).

The update in the technology makes a big difference to the film. This remake is more action oriented than anything else, although quite a few dramatic moments remain when the plane passengers are fighting to survive in the desert.

The cast is very good. Dennis Quaid would make Stewart proud, and actually shows off a pretty muscular build. He headlines the film and carries it well. Tyrese Gibson packed on a few pounds to look older and gives one of his best performances, although I doubt he'll have a long, illustrious career.

Giovanni Ribisi gives an outstanding performance, transforming himself into the character he plays. Miranda Otto adds a good performance, bringing a feminine side that was absent from the original.

The Flight of the Phoenix is a very good action and survival film. It is exciting, oftentimes intense, and occasionally quite thrilling. It didn't do well at the box office, but that doesn't mean this isn't an incredible rental.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
The Flight of the Phoenix (1965), The Right Stuff, Innerspace, The Day After Tomorrow