Featured Audience Ratings

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Con Air boasts everything that makes a solid slice of action-y Hollywood cheese, and another over the top performance from Nicolas Cage, excpet this time it's in a pretty decent movie. I think the loony… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Con Air boasts everything that makes a solid slice of action-y Hollywood cheese, and another over the top performance from Nicolas Cage, excpet this time it's in a pretty decent movie. I think the loony Cage performance is under rated, I think the reason people dislike it is because it's been abused in various atrocities lately like Drive Angry and Ghost Rider. But in a movie as fast-paced and explosive as Con Air, that ridiculously wacky performance suits the general mood. John Malkovich also shows up to do his usual menacing shtick and does it pretty well. But there are many flaws with the film. A big problem is that it begins cheesily and continues to progress cheesily, but in a "so bad it's good" kind of way. But around about the final 30 minutes it digs its own grave by adding every single soppy cliche in the book to the formula. That said, this is incredibly formulaic. It's not original, and almost indistinguishable from other Jerry Bruckheimer productions. Either way Con Air has a cult following and for a very good reason. It's strong acting and emotional engagement makes it work. And to be honest over all the explosions and gunfights, I didn't want Nic Cage's character to die. It's almost suspense free, at time sloppily directed, but regardless thanks to it's strong cast, visual style and moments of hilarity, I kind of enjoyed myself. If it's produced by Jerry Bruckhemier you usually expect the worst. It doesn't turn out to be as amazing as you would wish but neither as bad as you might have feared. Director Simon West basically crafts a perfectly acceptable Hollywood blockbuster with an assortment of every recognisable movie cliche ever used, but his great achievement is in how above all else Con Air never really get's boring. If your going to watch a Nicolas Cage action movie, this is one of the decent ones.

• Jim C

  
  Con Air was a simple action flick that really did not bring anything new acting or story wise. Nicolas Cage was as cheesy as an action star can get, with weird hair, a weird accent, and weird catchphrases. I wish to praise Malkovich for his performance, it was incredibly well done… More
  Con Air was a simple action flick that really did not bring anything new acting or story wise. Nicolas Cage was as cheesy as an action star can get, with weird hair, a weird accent, and weird catchphrases. I wish to praise Malkovich for his performance, it was incredibly well done and I enjoyed him. The action was fun, but it really was nothing that excited me because it has done thing other action films have already done. Its what you would call a mindless action film, it has a lot of flash but when it comes to story it sinks.If you are in the mood for a decent action flick this is fine, but this was not good enough for me to recommend to the common film lover.

• Jeff "

  
  Con Air, for me is a decent action film that is fairly entertaining despite the flaws. The film is a mindless action film that is fun. The performance from the actors range from decent to good to bad. John Malkovitch was the best actor in this film. I felt that the film could have… More
  Con Air, for me is a decent action film that is fairly entertaining despite the flaws. The film is a mindless action film that is fun. The performance from the actors range from decent to good to bad. John Malkovitch was the best actor in this film. I felt that the film could have been much better, but it was a pretty decent action film nonetheless. This is an entertaining action that does have good action, but unfortunately the film does suffer from a few bad performances. Director Simon West isn't that great of a director, and at times, the film feels silly and the action is over the top. Steve Buscemi ruined the film for me. I thought that this was one of his worst roles yet, and he brought a more irritating vibe to the screen. The film could have been done better, but it still manages to be fun. Con Air is a mindless action film that does provide solid enough entertainment to not get bored. Like I said the best actor in this film is John Malkovitch. I felt that the film was better with Malkovitch on board. Con Air is an action packed thrill ride, and I'd say it's a guilty pleasure. The film is non stop thrills, but lacks a very intriguing plot. Sure the films plot is good, but it's nothing that great. If you're looking for a mindless action film, then Con Air is the one. The film is purely a popcorn flick and it shows on-screen. A decent film to watch, but nothing ever great.

• Manu G

  
  Buckle Up! Very exciting action movie. The story was good and entertaining. Very nice cast, lots of crazy people. If you like action this is a movie you must see. Cameron Poe is an Army Ranger who was going to go home to his pregnant wife when he got into a fight with three men. He… More
  Buckle Up! Very exciting action movie. The story was good and entertaining. Very nice cast, lots of crazy people. If you like action this is a movie you must see. Cameron Poe is an Army Ranger who was going to go home to his pregnant wife when he got into a fight with three men. He would kill one of them and the other two ran away with the knife they had and because of that he would be convicted of manslaughter. After eight years he would be paroled. He would be part of a group that's being transferred to another prison and flown in a special plane. While in flight a fight breaks out and two of the most dangerous criminals, Diamond Dog and Cyrus the Virus Grissom, would break out from their restraints and take over the plane. When the plane makes it's first stop Poe and friend who's a diabetic and who wasn't given his shot, and all the syringes were destroyed, try to get off but Grissom wouldn't let them. He then tries to alert the authorities but got away. Now the government is considering shooting the plane down but U.S. Marshall Vince Larkin thinks that it's a little hasty and believes that Poe is an ally. When Grissom leads them on a wild goose chase, Poe alerts them to where they are going.

• Spencer S

  
  This film's reaction and criticism seem to be based purely on taste. Let's look at the nitty gritty: we have a stellar cast, great use of explosions, and Nicolas Cage with a hillbilly haircut and an offputting Alabama accent. In review, yeah, these things can make for the… More
  This film's reaction and criticism seem to be based purely on taste. Let's look at the nitty gritty: we have a stellar cast, great use of explosions, and Nicolas Cage with a hillbilly haircut and an offputting Alabama accent. In review, yeah, these things can make for the most horrifying of action blockbusters, and yet it still was really enjoyable, and kept me hooked. Malkovich, leaving his comfort zone to play a psychotic killer, with facial hair to boot, is the perfect criminal villain, in that he doesn't overwhelm the plot, keeping the focus on other characters. Standouts include Danny Trejo as a serial rapist, John Cusack as the US Marshal hunting down the plane while no one will listen to him (i.e. Quincy ME) and Steve Buscemi as the obviously creepy mass murderer. Through some of the more unnecessary sequences of fire and violence, there is also the great character of Cameron Poe (Cage) who quips with killers, ninja fights a gang of Colombians, and tries to save his diabetic best friend, and a female guard, all the time trying to see his daughter for the first time. Good storyline for the genre, and decent acting by all those involved.

• ♥Robyn

  
  this is a great movie which kept me on the edge of my seat with some of the best actors of our time, Nic Cage, John Malkovich, and John Cusack.Con Air is about these prisoners who have taken over an air plane meant to transfer some prisoners to other states and some are actually… More
  this is a great movie which kept me on the edge of my seat with some of the best actors of our time, Nic Cage, John Malkovich, and John Cusack.Con Air is about these prisoners who have taken over an air plane meant to transfer some prisoners to other states and some are actually free.It's a great action flick !!! so guys grab the popcorn and enjoy the ride!!!

• Conner R

  
  You definitely can't watch it straight forward, then it would make no sense. However, when you think of all the outrageous and nonsensical action movies out there, Con Air comes to the top of the list. The dialogue is priceless, delivered by the masters of bizarre performances,… More
  You definitely can't watch it straight forward, then it would make no sense. However, when you think of all the outrageous and nonsensical action movies out there, Con Air comes to the top of the list. The dialogue is priceless, delivered by the masters of bizarre performances, Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich. Seeing a plane crash land on the Las Vegas strip is something I don't think anyone will ever attempt to do again. I love the choices of music, slow motion and costuming. It makes the movie the classic that it is.

• KJ P

  
  It is entertaining, but in the end, besides the cool storyline and self-containing action, I was left dissapointed!

• Tony G

  
  Loud and bombastic, this trip will fatigue you.

• Martin S

  
  Those prisoners look really badass. I'm not a fan of Nicholas Cage...but it's a good movie. And it looks really expensive

• Anthony L

  
  Con Air isn't a bad action film, it's rather silly and over the top, the way action film should be, I guess it just isn't my cup of tea!

• Megan S

  
  Nicholas cage with a horrible fake southern accent.

• Thomas B

  
  power ballads galore. steve buscemi is this films saviour, albeit a saviour with too little screen time

• Coxxie M

  
  Mama says stupid is as Con Air does... and boy, does this movie do some stupid...

• Phil H

  
  Another great popcorn flick with a superb cast. Everyone does their job here really well, including cage and his hair. The action is so over the top its brilliant. The villains are an awesome line up of maniacs and killers with great nicknames......Pinball, Virus, Swamp Thing, Diamond… More
  Another great popcorn flick with a superb cast. Everyone does their job here really well, including cage and his hair. The action is so over the top its brilliant. The villains are an awesome line up of maniacs and killers with great nicknames......Pinball, Virus, Swamp Thing, Diamond Dog etc...excellent haha The cast really is the best line up of action men and character actors since Predator or any 80's showdown. You have Trejo, Buscemi, Rhames, Malkovich, Mc Gainley and from 80's actioners Ticotin. All you need is Carl Weathers and Sonny Landham and this would be the bollocks lol The first half is the best, the criminal role call, on the plane, Cusack and his plane tantrums, then we get a brilliant desert setup and gun battle, people dropping like flies one at a time but the ending is abit too stupid, luckily it never matters really, well not too much. some of it is predictable some isnt (buscemi's ending),but a great surprise that came outta nowhere on release. love the logo too.

• Emil K

  
  Utterly horrible macho-stuff with big explosions and lot's of bad dialogue. Biggest mystery here is that how they managed to get actors like John Malkovich or John Cusack aboard? One of those mega-produced films from Jerry Bruckheimer that are as huge as they are dumb.

• Film C

  
  this isnt a bad movie i quite enjoyed it really worth a watch. its a really good action thriller movie where there always has to be a good guy within the prison even though theey are all cons really worth aa watch!

• Mike S

  
  Whenever the name Jerry Bruckheimer pops up in the credits, you know you're in for some high quality action. The movies he produce aren't always the most well-written, but there are times, like in this case, where his distinguishable style of action and humor works in… More
  Whenever the name Jerry Bruckheimer pops up in the credits, you know you're in for some high quality action. The movies he produce aren't always the most well-written, but there are times, like in this case, where his distinguishable style of action and humor works in harmony with the plot. What really serves as the bulk of this film though, is the great interplay between the actors and their characters. Nicolas Cage may stand in the spotlight as far as the main plotline is concerned, but it's the supporting cast that truly make this movie. They're fun, witty, insane and out of control. So what if they're not entirely believable? I prefer action films that have some fun with the material and doesn't take itself too seriously, so this happens to be right up my alley. That being said, I'd feel like a criminal myself to rate this with any less than four stars. Because this is one of those rare movies that gets better and better for each time I see it.

• E.J. B

  
  Probably Simon West's only good movie. A decent actioner.

• Candy R

  
  Great storyline. Really dangerous criminals hijack a plane, but Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is the typical American action hero who has to save his friend. John Malkovich is brilliant. I love the soundtrack.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings