Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Air Force One’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

I can only imagine how difficult it is for writers, director and actors to bring a proper President of the United States to life on the silver screen, and I say that, simply because, if you’re going to have a film that makes POTUS the main character, you absolutely, positively have to get it right, or the audience simply won’t buy what they’re seeing in the slightest. Because we all have an image of what is presidential in our mind and I honestly think the pressure that comes with putting together the perfect president is why we see so few films where the commander-in-chief serves as the focus of the story.
 
But once in a while, Hollywood finds a way to get it right and we are treated to a motion picture where the president is the character that reflects the best parts of the office. But for the most part, POTUS is usually an afterthought in cinema, usually appearing in films where his commentary is required when it comes to a massive disaster, or he’s featured in a story that parodies the office, or the character is just there for show. But of the many films that feature the leader of the free world, there’s one that I revisit often, simply because it always manages to suck me in, despite the fact that it shouldn’t due to its outlandish plot in Air Force One.
 
Now, in this particular film we are introduced to President James Marshall, who wants nothing more than a secure and safe world, one that allows for everyone to prosper, and when the opportunity arises to capture a rogue Russian General who wants nothing more than to return the Soviet Union to its former glory, he takes it and unfortunately for the president, his push to make the world a better place has some unintended consequences. For on a return flight home from Moscow, a group of men who are loyal to the now captured General Radek have plans to secure his release by hijacking Air Force One and now it will be up to President Marshall to save the plane, his family and the world from this dedicated and terrifying group of radical mad men. 

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​So, if that plot seems incredibly outlandish and over the top, you’re one hundred percent correct. But that is precisely what happens in this motion picture, terrorists manage to hijack the world’s most secure plane and the President has to kick their ass to retake it and well, as cheesy and ridiculous as that sounds, this is that kind of motion picture that you simply cannot look away from because it manages to suck you in with some slick actions sequences. But obviously, action and adventure can only take a film so far and really, what sells this movie is its all-star cast and oddly enough, surprisingly noble ideals.
 
Because how can one go wrong with watching Gary Oldman do his thing since he plays Ivan Korshunov, the leader of this band of terrorists and he brings a terrifying zest and zeal to the role that only he can and he is counterbalanced nicely by Harrison Ford who plays President Marshall and really, Ford is in his element here since he does a fine job of bringing an everyman feel to the office of the President, and of course, his character does a fantastic job of dispensing freedom with his fists in this flick and oddly enough, it’s seeing a fictional sitting president kicking terrorist ass and watching people rally around his plight that makes this movie so enjoyable because it’s surprisingly uplifting. 
 
But, make no mistake about it, there’s no deeper meaning to be found in this motion picture. It’s simply a kick ass ride, one where you get to hear Harrison Ford spout some fine one liners and one where you see the bad guys get their just desserts and well, you simply cannot go wrong with a popcorn flick such as this and as an added bonus, it also features a magnificent score from the late Jerry Goldsmith that leaves your spirits soaring with its unique Americana feel and well, this one is plain fun and if you haven’t seen it, I highly encourage you to do so because there’s nothing wrong with killing a couple of hours of your day by watching POTUS backhand some bad dudes. 

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