DVD Recently paroled con Cameron Poe is hitching a ride home on prisoner transport plane when it is involved in a midair hijack by some of the most dangerous convicts America has even known.
Details
Cameron Poe is a highly decorated former US Army Ranger whose life is turned upside down after accidentally killing a man whilst defending his pregnant wife during a late-night altercation. Despite acting in self-defence, Poe receives a lengthy prison sentence, forcing him to spend eight years separated from the wife and daughter he barely knows.
Finally granted parole, Poe's journey home begins aboard the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System aircraft, better known as 'Con Air'. Unfortunately for him, the flight is also carrying many of America's most dangerous criminals as they are transferred to a new maximum security prison.
Led by the calculating Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom, the prisoners execute a meticulously planned hijacking, overpowering the guards and taking control of the aircraft. Trapped amongst a collection of murderers, serial killers and violent psychopaths, Poe must carefully balance helping the authorities without revealing his true intentions to the convicts.
As the aircraft criss-crosses the United States searching for fuel and a means of escape, US Marshal Vince Larkin becomes convinced that Poe is the only man aboard capable of stopping the hijackers. With time rapidly running out and government officials prepared to destroy the aircraft rather than let the prisoners escape, Poe finds himself fighting to save both the innocent hostages and his own chance of finally returning home.
Picture & Sound
The transfer is superb, producing a wonderfully sharp and colourful image that remains consistently impressive throughout. Detail is excellent, colours are vibrant and compression artefacts are virtually non-existent. The spectacular finale amongst the bright lights of Las Vegas is particularly impressive, with the neon signs and night-time scenery making this one of the best-looking action DVDs currently available.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is equally impressive. From the roar of the aircraft engines to the barrage of explosions and gunfire, the surround channels are constantly active and the subwoofer receives an excellent workout. Dialogue remains clear even during the film's loudest action scenes, making this an outstanding demonstration disc for any home cinema system.
Menu & Extras
Sadly the disc's technical excellence isn't matched by its supplementary material. In fact, there isn't any. No commentary, no documentary and no deleted scenes - just the film itself. It's a disappointing omission given the popularity of the movie, although at least the presentation is straightforward and easy to navigate.
Overall
Let's get one thing straight - Con Air is completely ridiculous. The plot becomes increasingly implausible as the film progresses, the action frequently ignores the laws of physics and Nicolas Cage's flowing locks are almost as entertaining as the explosions. None of that matters in the slightest.
This is exactly the sort of over-the-top action film that Hollywood excelled at during the 1990s. The cast are clearly having enormous fun, John Malkovich is superbly unhinged as Cyrus 'The Virus', Steve Buscemi steals every scene he's in and John Cusack provides the perfect straight man amongst all the chaos.
Backed by a stunning picture and reference-quality Dolby Digital soundtrack, this is one of those DVDs that you'll find yourself reaching for whenever somebody asks to hear your surround sound system. It may not exercise your brain, but it will certainly exercise your speakers.
This film's plot, or lack of it, is ridiculous, stupid and impossible to be taken seriously... and you'd be mad to miss it! Just remember to remove your brain after inserting the disc into the player, as you won't be needing it.
Special features
- None
