Dog’s Movie House: “Plane” May Be A Dippy Title, But It’s A Pretty Darn Good Action Flick!

One the surface, “Plane” sounds about as generic as it’s title, but director Jean-Francois Richet knows how to mount impressive action sequences on a limited budget. Some of the plane sequences are a little shoddy in the effects department, but Richet and his team to a good job for the most part of hiding those flaws amidst storm clouds and lightening. Once “Plane” gets on the ground, the movie really kicks into gear, with Butler doing what he does best. Because his character is Scottish, Butler doesn’t have to focus on a phony accent and he’s able to let his natural charm and charisma come through. Colter matches him as the French Foreign Legion soldier accused of murder. In fact, Gaspare does most of the heavy lifting in the action department. Brodie’s tough and he’s a hell of a pilot, but I liked the fact that the script didn’t reveal him to be a former special forces operative or MI6 member or something else. Brodie fights hard and is smart, but he also gets his ass handed to him on more than one occassion. Colter (best known for his television work on “Luke Cage” and “Evil) has real presence here. He’s a big, muscular dude but he plays Gaspare with a sense of serenity that makes the audience wonder who’s side he’s on. The film doesn’t lean on that dynamic too much, but it slips into the narrative every now and then.

Now I’ve heard from colleagues that “Plane” is just one step above direct to video fare and I think that does “Plane” a disservice. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to action films, but it’s swift, fairly smart and entertaining as hell, bolstered by Butler and Colter’s charisma and performances. It’s worth checking out at the theater, especially if you’re an action movie afficienado! 3 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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