Flight

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Flight.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Written by John Gatins.

Review #190

MPAA Rating: R for drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense action.

Run Time: 138 min

Cast

Denzel Washington...Whip Whitaker

Nadine Velazquez...Katerina Marquez

Tamara Tunie...Margaret Thomason

Brian Geraghty...Ken Evans

Kelly Reilly...Nicole

Bruce Greenwood...Charlie Anderson

John Goodman...Harling Mays

James Badge Dale...Gaunt Young Man

Don Cheadle...Hugh Lang

Peter Gerety...Avington Carr

Garcelle Beauvais...Deana

Justin Martin...Will

Melissa Leo...Ellen Block

For as long as I can remember. Denzel Washington has played likeable characters. Even his character in Training Day has some likeable qualities. I can't think of a role Washington played where he was just a bad person throughout.

Until now.

Plot

An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling. 

The trailers don't accurately cover what actually goes on in this film. That was both a good and bad thing. Focusing on the plane crash and the subsequent investigation was a small sampling of Flight. The movie deals primarily with Washington's character and his personal demons before, during and after the plane crash. This was also both a good and bad thing. Centralizing the film around Whip was necessary. However, in doing so the rest of the film gets cheated and loses it's chance to develop around Whip's "issues".

In addition, Flight employs some supporting characters that in the grand scheme of things were important but don't play so well. There was a disconnect somewhere between taking us on Whip's journey with the people that surrounded him as he goes through it. Some of the issues that Whip goes through also border on the absurd at times. Again, some of the craziness is necessary and part of the character but the timing and some of the actions feel a bit over the top.

You'll see where. It's obvious.

There is a lot to like with Flight. The first being the plane crash. It was one of the most intense and surreal crashes I have seen in a very long time. It reminded me of the crash in Cast Away. Another Zemeckis film. The image of Tom Hanks looking in fear as the plane is about to slam into the ocean is as terrifying as you can get. Flight captures that same intensity and fear. You get an amazing view of the plan nose diving toward the ground surrounded by houses and people.

The scene was also perfectly timed as Whip and the co pilot communicate with air traffic control with the chaos going on with the passengers and crew. The scene also showed Whip's ability to handle a crisis under pressure. His co pilot is freaking out and he continues to bark directions in a calm, smooth & deliberate tone. The most chilling and realistic part of that scene was so subtle it sent chills down my spine. Whip tells one of the flight attendants to tell her son that she lovers her so the black box can record a final message in case they don't make it.

High drama at it's finest.

That may have been the visual highlight of the film but the best part of Flight is the debate it brings up.

How much forgiveness does a heroic act buy a person who's the exact opposite of how he's being portrayed?

It's a fascinating question that Flight does a terrific job exposing. Whip is to be nice flawed person. He as responsible as Honey Boo Boo's mother. The man lives for himself and looks to enjoy what he can when he can and deal with the consequences later. Seeing him as the film progresses you dislike him more and more. The fact that he could care less about the welfare of his passengers on the flight tells you all you need to know about his character.

Personal demons be damned.

Then just as the film leans toward you going against Whip, the page is flipped and stresses how his uncanny skills saved 90% of the people on that plane. Your opinions of him being to waver just a bit. Just a bit. After you start to rethink your position concerning Whip he returns to his old self and whatever sympathy he may have earned goes right out the window.

The final act of the film sets itself up for a predictable finish. What made the ending worthwhile for me at least was that there was no redemption. It gives Flight the closure it needed. The problem here is that it doesn't completely redeem the film. The movie overall is mired in subplots and underdeveloped supporting characters that don't add enough to the story for me to stay with it. Denzel and John Goodman were as expected but the rest of the cast though impressive at times just felt in the way.

Flight was a good film that took it's main character to some pretty deep places and I loved the question the film posed. I felt there was too much underdevelopment in other areas. This prevents the film from being something special.

On the 5 star scale. Flight gets 2.5 stars with a "Go See It!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Rise of The Guardians.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"