‘Peace isn’t merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice...’
German director Wolfgang Peterson sadly passed away in 2022 and left behind a legacy defined by Das Boot and The NeverEnding Story. In the ’90s, however, Peterson turned his hand to the blockbuster. In the Line of Fire was the best film of Peterson’s ’90s era but Outbreak, The Perfect Storm and Air Force One also achieved various levels of success. Now, I always thought that I had seen Air Force One but it turns out I was getting it mixed up with Broken Arrow. Anyway, I enjoyed Air Force One and I particularly enjoyed indulging in the fantasy of Harrison Ford being the President of the United States of America. What a world that would be…
President James Marshall (Ford) is taken hostage along with his family aboard the presidential plane by an insidious group of Russian communists led by a chap named Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman). Meanwhile, at ground level, Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) attempts to restore order.
God, I love a ’90s blockbuster. This one has everything you would want. A terrific ensemble cast (William H. Macy, Wendy Crewson, Xander Berkeley). A heroic leading man. Loads of gunfights and explosions. Andrew W. Marlowe’s script takes itself a little too seriously but there are a few good one-liners kicking about and the whole thing whips along at a frantic pace with Jerry Goldsmith’s sweeping score booming in the background. It’s all flag-waving, patriotic nonsense of course but when it’s so entertaining, it’s impossible to resist.
Air Force One isn’t in the upper echelon of ’90s blockbusters but it’s very much the best of the rest. A thoroughly enjoyable cinematic experience.