Air Force One is a fun 90s Harrison Ford-led action movie. I have seen this one several times over the years and I always have a fun time with it. It is a movie that feels like is on TV all the time here in the UK for some reason and if I ever catch it, I will usually watch it… even though I own it already.
How to Download Air Force One
Air Force One was released on July 25, 1997. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Harrison Ford, you need to see him in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies.
The Movie Review
Cast and Performance
One of the things that makes Air Force One a lot of fun is that this is essentially Harrison Ford vs Gary Oldman and that is pretty awesome as both these guys are great at what they do. The more I think about it, the more I feel that this is a bit of an underrated movie and one that most people tend to just say “it is ok” and move on. I always have a fun time watching this and having watched it again recently, I feel that it holds up really well.
Plot and Premise
I will admit that on paper, the premise of Air Force One does sound kind of ridiculous and it is the kind of movie where you do have to turn off your sense of disbelief. I say that because there are a few things in this movie that when you question them, may make the whole concept fall apart for you. Look, at the end of the day, it is a 90s action movie so it is best not to think too hard about certain parts of the movie.
In the movie, Harrison Ford plays the role of the President of the United States of America, President, James Marshall. President Marshall who is joined by his family, is on a trip to Moscow to talk about the capture of a terrorist called Radek. While here, he states that the USA will no longer negotiate with terrorists and they are taking a zero-tolerance policy with terrorists.
Action Sequences and Climax
Radek has a bunch of crazy followers who are not happy about his capture. One of Radek’s most loyal soldiers is a man called, Egor Korshunov and he has managed to infiltrate Air Force Once! While Air Force One travels back to the USA, it is hijacked by Egor and his men with the help of a mole in the President’s team.
The reason for the takeover is that they want Radek to be released or they will start killing one hostage per hour until they do so, but the President just said they are no longer negotiating with terrorists. The thing is, they picked the wrong President to try this with as it turns out that President Marshall is a badass war veteran and he is going to take matters into his own hands and save the day himself.
Look, I know that when you read the premise of Air Force One is that the President is a badass and is fighting off the hijacking of Air Force One, it sounds crazy. However, if you just go with it and take the movie for what it is, this is one hell of a fun action movie. Harrison Ford is great and he and Gary Oldman really commit to these roles and despite there being a lot of unbelievable stuff happening, you buy into it as they are so convincing.
Conclusion and Recommendation
I really need to pick up the Air Force One 4K release as this is a movie that I am a big fan of. If you are in the mood for a thrilling action movie, Air Force One will not let you down! Even though this is a 90s movie, I feel that it has aged well and it is one of the more underrated Harrison Ford action movies in my humble opinion. Even now, if the crap hit the fan and I had to call an action star to save the day, 81-year-old Harrison Ford would not be completely out of the question!
