John Orr

In these days of films based primarily on special effects and superhero bravado, this movie reverts back to smooth storytelling while still building the suspense. A lot is going on, but the pace is smooth enough for the viewer to take it all in. Must see on big screen to get fullest experience. Also, the story line shows just what happens in routine airline processes, the problems with flying through a storm, and an inside-the-cabin view of making a crash landing, the challenges of conducting search-and-rescue in a thousand-square-mile stretch of ocean. Industry-specific details remind me of the old John Wayne movie, "The Hellfighters," about Red Adair's crew that fought oilfield fires around the world. Characters are interesting and REALISTIC: Gerald Butler as the capable but damaged-goods pilot, Mike Colter as the FBI fugitive, Tony Goldwin - you've seen him before - as the corporate troubleshooter, Evan Taylor as the ruthless separatist leader. Daniella Padena and other female flight attendants also do excellent job to move story line at key points. And, it shows realistic value of "rough men (and women)" who can step in and actually get things done in a crisis situation when corporate bosses are more worried about bad PR than rescue. And, how unusual alliances emerge in times of crisis. Some may chafe that it has elements of "Die Hard" and "Flight of the Phoenix," but it has a unique, current events storyline as its mainstay.