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Con Air is proof that the slick, absurdly overblown action formula of Hollywood mega-producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun, Days of Thunder, The Rock, Crimson Tide) lives on, even after Simpson's druggy death. (Read Charles Fleming's exposé, High Concept: Don Simpson and the Hollywood Culture of Excess, for more about that.) Nicolas Cage, sporting a disconcerting mane of hair, is a wrongly convicted prisoner on a transport plane with a bunch of infamously psychopathic criminals, including head creep Cyrus the Virus (John Malkovich), black militant Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), and serial killer Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi, making the most of his pallid, rodent-like qualities). Naturally, the convicts take over the plane; meanwhile, on the ground, a US marshal (John Cusack) and a DEA agent (Colm Meaney), try to figure out what to do. As is the postmodern way, the movie displays a self-consciously ironic awareness that its story and characters are really just excuses for a high-tech cinematic thrill ride. Best idea: the filmmakers persuaded the owners of the legendary Sands Hotel in Las Vegas to let them help out with the structure's demolition by crashing their plane into it. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (149)

Buckle Up
Con Air is a blockbuster movie. A film that soars with the best of them. And since it's produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, no wonder it's a hit. Making his directorial debut, Simon West does a terrific job pleasing the crowds of movie-goers. Cameron Poe (played by Nicolas Cage, with a Southern accent and shoulder-length hair) has just been releashed from prison after being convicted of manslaughter in the first degree. After 7 years, Cameron is finally going home to his wife and daughter. Hitching a ride home on the 'Jail Bird,' Cameron is put on a plane with the world's most vicious criminals including Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich), Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), Billy Bedlam (Nick Chinlund), and Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi) who "makes the Manson family look like the Partidge family." Within 5 minutes of takeoff, the criminals have already assumed command of the plane, are in possession of all the weapons, and took all the guards hostage. Being the former United States Park Ranger that he is, Cameron Poe decides to try and save the day with the help of on-the-ground U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (played by John Cusack). Con Air is an explosive film with great special effects, superb acting, and humor on the side. I recommend it for anyone looking for a movie with non-stop action beginning to end.

Con Air
Con Air is a good action film and several things keep it alive. One is acting. John Malkovich is good as Cyrus "the Virus" Grissom, who claims he's killed more people than cancer. John Cusack is in good form as U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin, who owns the plane the criminals take over, named "the Jailbird". Nicolas Cage delivers one of his best performances as Cameron Poe, a decorated military hero who is catching a ride home after being in prison for 8 years for defending his wife in a bar fight. Other good performances were by Steve Buscemi as serial killer Garland Greene and Ving Rhames (Mission:Impossible) as Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones. The musical score was very good. There are a few plotholes but hey, there aren't too many movies that don't have a few plotholes here and there. Another good thing is action. Most of the action on board the plane is hand-to-hand combat. Probably the best action scene in the movie is where the criminals stop to get a new plane. U.S. troops attack them in a long and great gunfight. The other action sequence is when Cusack and Cage chase Cyrus on motorcycles through a tunnel in Las Vegas. It is very humorous when the plane is crashing and Garland Greene is singing "He's got the whole world in His hands". At the Academy Awards Con Air was nominated for two things:Best Sound and Best Original Song. It did not win either. Though Con Air may be a level below Crimson Tide, The Rock, and Air Force One, it's still a great action film

As Believable As Finding Out "Snow White" Is A True Story
This movie is about as believable as finding that "Snow White" was based on a true story...this movie is so ridiculously stupid that I gave one star. First of all, if Nicolas Cage's character killed someone in self-defense, there'd be no trial, he wouldn't be charged. Second, JOHN MALKOVICH AS A VIOLENT, MULTIPLE FELON? WHO DID HE BEAT FOR THE PART...STEVE URKEL? Then there's John Cusak trying desperately hard to show us that he can act...that he's still got it...but HE NEVER HAD IT! BELIEVE ME, IF THESE FELONS COULD FIGURE A WAY TO TAKE CONTROL OF A PRISON TRANSPORT PLANE USING A PAPER CLIP AND A MATCH, THEY WOULDN'T BE IN COUNTY LOCK UP, THEY'D BE RUNNING THE WORLD. Most of the directing shots are tilted and herendous, the acting is stupid (with Cage's phoney Southern accent), and the fact that Malkovich conviently lands on a conveyer belt that ends up crushing his head is way too unrealistic...ANOTHER THING, MALKOVICH IS ABOUT AS BRUTAL IN THE FILM AS IS WATCHING HIM ACT!

OVER THE TOP AND THEN SOME
For pure adrenalin and testosterone exposure, one can't do much better than CON-AIR. There are a ton of unbelievable action scenes, and that's the key word---unbelievable. One can't say director Simon West didn't keep the action flowing. The finale in Las Vegas is way over the top!!!
Credit the actors for doing something with their roles, especially the brilliant John Cusack who puts his teeth into his meaty role as a US Marshall. Also Colm Meaney as the DEA agent who is obstinate and overbearing, to say the least. There are a nasty set of villains--John Malkovich, Nick Chindlin, Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo, David Chappelle---a nice looking guard played by Rachel Ticotin, another good bad guy played by Mykel Williamson, and Monica Potter does a nice turn as Poe's wife. Nicolas Cage is so bland, saddled with a ridiculous Southern accent, and does so many stupid things, it's hard to see how we can consider this guy that heroic.
But, if you want a two hour roller coaster ride with plenty of guns and action, CONAIR is hard to beat. It also has the Trisha Yearwood version of "How Do I Live," which is worth watching the movie!!!!

Great Flick!
When I first sat down to watch this film I was expecting anything, but when it was over I knew it was one i'd always want to Have! The Story is about a man who has done time in prison for murdering somebody who tried to hurt his wife! And Finally he's going to go home! Tho on his way home he is put onto a plane that seems to have Americas worst criminals in hostory abourd, and the plane is highjacked by them and the plot starts! to take place and unfold, and many storys are told through the way, with some comedy, some action and some fun along with some decent acting for a film of this type!

This movie is worth it in my opinion! But its not to everyones taste, my recomendation is to hire it before you buy it if you can! It does play on personal opinions and tastes! To me its a great movie, but you be the judge for yourself! ... Read more

Reviews (101)

A well-acted crime thriller
In "The General's Daughter," directed by Simon West, John Travolta plays Warrant Officer Paul Brenner, an Army investigator. He and a fellow officer (Madeleine Stowe) team up to investigate a high profile murder on an Army base. Their quest for the truth leads them into some twisted pathways of sex, power, and secrecy.

This film is a genuinely gripping crime thriller. Director West maintains effective tension, and the performances are outstanding. Travolta brings an appealing mix of strength and sensitivity to his soldier-cop, and Stowe is also wholly credible as his sharp-minded partner. The supporting cast is stellar, but I was particularly impressed by James Woods' raw-nerve performance as an army officer who may be hiding a secret.

The one aspect of the film that doesn't work is the brief romantic bickering of the two main characters; to me it was out of place and merely detracted from the main story. What I did find compelling was the film's effective portrayal of the military as a complex subculture with its own history and customs.

Be warned: the film does not portray the U.S. Army in the best light, and many will be disturbed, and even offended, by some of the film's ideas and images. There is some harrowing stuff here. But I found the film truly compelling.

ho-hum melodrama
Despite high powered talent both in front of and behind the camera, "The General's Daughter" emerges as a tepid, run-of-the-mill murder mystery set on a deep South army base. The murder victim is the (to put it politely) sexually loose daughter of the camp's highly distinguished general; Travolta portrays the investigator, torn between loyalty to the military and to his civilian duties, whose job it is to unravel the mystery of her bizarre death.

Though based on true events, the film's screenplay fails to develop a particularly compelling or surprising story, settling instead for a gallery of essentially stereotypical characters. We have, for instance, the cynical, but essentially decent tough guy investigator, the hard-as-nails female helpmate, who, of course, has shared a failed romantic past with the hero, and the by-the-rules-at-all-costs military father, willing to sacrifice his daughter's life on the altar of doing what's best for the institution. In addition, the film lines up the usual array of red herrings, false leads, and strawmen suspects that Travolta's character must bat away before the final solution is revealed. That resolution comes in the form of a ludicrous, barely credible scene in which the guilty person, as always, pointlessly explains to the investigators every detail concerning the execution of the crime.

Given nothing in the way of fully developed or fleshed out characters to portray, the actors are left to essentially sleepwalk through their roles. It is obvious none of their hearts are in these dull proceedings. Travolta needs perhaps to begin challenging himself a bit more in more demanding roles and stop settling for such routine assignments as the one he has found in "The General's Daughter".

Alternative Ending is the Best!!
In the special edition at the end of the tape, they show an alternative ending. It is much better than the original ending.

As usual, Travolta stands out. He does an excellent job of portraying a Warrant Officer and puts military, officer B.S. in its place.

As good as the movie is, the book is better.

John Travolta finally shows acting ability.
This movie was fantastically cast with a superb plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Actor John Travolta has not played this good a part and in such good a fashion since he starred with Olivia Newton John in Saturday Night Fever.
John Travolta is with the investigating team in the army when the General's daughter is murdered. The problem is, the murder is made to look like a rape, yet clearly isn't. The maze of twists and turns this movie takes you down will have you on the edge of your seat. I like the line "There is a right way, a wrong way, and the Army way" because John Travolta must risk his career and all he has going for him to choose which way he will take. Rent or buy it today - you won't be sorry.

Save your money, buy the book!
The engrossing Nelson DeMille novel was turned into a boring, hard to follow, predictable movie. The book draws you into Ann Cambell's world, the movie never does. It is a complicated story with many twists and turns and there is no way a 2 hour movie could do it justice. ... Read more

Reviews (596)

"My ignorance amuses me." At least it amused somebody...
Tomb Raider is the kind of movie you can watch while reading a book and not miss a thing. Lara Croft originated in video games as a wild, sassy heroine with amazing acrobatic skill and two Desert Eagles to back her up, and her games supercharged that industry. The idea for the movie was to cross Indiana Jones with James Bond, throw in a little bit of Batman's dark side and humor from The Mummy, and populate the lead role with a sexy, academy award-winning actress, Angelina Jolie. You would think that formula couldn't lose, but the final serving is a mess. I prefer the video games, even the later ones.

Director Simon West approached this film as if he were shooting a commercial or music video. Every single shot is some high-concept, slow-mo dutch angle that lovingly follows our heroine on her adventure: we lovingly watch Lara open the door, then lovingly watch her close the door, that kind of thing. It gets old fast. The plot, too, is full of exotic locations and references to the films I mentioned above, and nothing is missing but some logic to make any sense of it. Major plot points are lost in the glamor, and the endless sexy shots of our heroine and her hapless foes. Enemies suddenly become friends for no sensible reason, and the major plot-twist is so uninspiring that if you blink you'll miss it. The CGI enemies for Lara Croft look terrible and are about as entertaining as a barrel full of Jar-Jar Binks'. The dialog is horrendous. "My ignorance amuses me" is a real line that is actually heard 3 times, and it was just as dumb as it sounds. I don't think the characters were even listening to each other, just say cool-sounding things to match the empty shine of the entire over-paid mess. The onscreen meeting of offscreen fatherand dauther John Voight and Jolie is touching, dispite the fact that they don't have much to say to each other.

I admire the daring of the filmmakers to place Lara Croft on equal footing with any male enemy she faces - Croft simply karate chops 'em to the ground exactly as if she were a man, no dirty tricks, just pure power and skill. Unfortunately, Angelina Jolie isn't believably as a nimble acrobatic kung-fu master. Jolie DOES play Croft with a large does of sensual sexuality, but she throws a kick like a turle, and the wire work in this move is terrible, nothing as interesting as The Matrix. Jolie doesn't look graceful, she looks clumbsy.

THE DVD - is a good one. The making of documentary is from HBO, which means that it's about 3 stars out of 5. There is an audio commentary and lots of little featurettes about various fxs and training for Jolie. U2's excellent video is a must see.

Horrible Overhyped Garbage
I'm glad women are finally starting to get more into action type films, but this Tomb Raider I was told was gonnah be the best female action star since Sigorney Weaver in Aliens.

Oh, how I disagree with that on so many levels.

Has this movie been praised because it stars a woman in skin tight clothing? Baring next to nothing? all while flying around, doing action seaqences, and over the top stuff like that?

Because thats what I think has given this movie any appeal at all! I cannot stand Angelina Jolie, but putting that aside to actualy focus on the fact that she is portraying a rip-off of Indiana Jones, and wearing , well, what some people would consider sexy attire/cloths... but to me, sex doesnt sell a movie. If you havent got a good movie, then dont expect showing some skin will make it any better!

The movie is terrible, Angelinas performance is sickiing, not only the cloths she wears to gain that attention of that kind of audience, but her acting both inhales and exhales (work it out, Amazon will filter my exact words for that)

If your a guy who want to see a chick put on some sexy clothing to get your attention to try and distract you from a pointless ,un thought out scene with special FX from tiem to time, then you will love this movie!

If you can actualy stand Angeliana Joalines conseeded acting, then you might like it.

But if your like me, and see through the B.S of trying to get a sexy image to sell, then youll see how this movie fails to bring a decent woman onto the screen for an action role!

I hope some actress becomes a super action star sometime soon, one maybe so even bigger then any male action star, but Angelina is not the one to look out for. Sex does not sell in my book!

0 stars

Good action but nothing to be remembered.
Tomb Raider is good fun and good for a rental. The Movie itself will eventually be forgotten. Angelina Jolie does good, and the plot it okay. The effects are good, as well as the settings. The movie is only okay. See it if you love action.

Not your average Chick Flick
I've never played the Tomb Raider games so I haven't a clue of what Lara Croft is really supposed to be like except she's a chick with big guns and other features. Let's face it. Despite the somewhat simplistic and rushed plot, people love adventure movies with danger, excitement and cool stunts, especially when girls are in it.

And I personally like Jolie's rendition of Croft. She's sexy yet sensual. Athletic yet Composed. Wryly coy at times, and to top it off...she's English. With the looks, lips and soft English accent, Jolie creates a very attractive Lara Croft with adventurous elegance and style...and it certainly helps that she's filthy rich. Comes in handy when supporting her expensive hobby.

I thought this was an enjoyable film despite the weak plot. Definitely worth the viewing.

Not much resemblance to the video game character
Tomb Raider the movie failed to be hardly anything like Tomb Raider the video game. Lara Croft in the video game is dressed in brown and green clothes, Lara Croft in the movie is dressed in all black.

Also, in the video game, she's just about always in tombs. In the movie, she hardly ever was in any tombs, and that movement of manuvers she did at the beggining of the movie in the tomb to make it seem as if it's the video game come to life expect for her black clothes, that was quickly over after only a few minutes and it was only in her backyard in her mansion where she practices.

She is a very sexy woman, though. (...)

Angelina Jolie's sexieness was the only good thing about Tomb Raider the movie, and again, if they were trying to make it as resembling to the video game as possible, then like that older movie Super Mario Bros., they didn't do so good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Like the video game series it's based on, Tomb Raider is best enjoyed for its physical strategies, since even casual scrutiny of story details will induce a headache. It's more concerned with puzzles than plot, populated with characters that don't have personalities so much as attitudes. It's silly and somber at the same time, but as a franchise vehicle for Angelina Jolie in the title role of relic hunter Lara Croft, this is packaged entertainment at its most agreeable, ambitious in scope and scale, and filled with the kind of globetrotting adventure that could make Jolie the best thing that's happened to action movies since Indiana Jones. Could being the operative word here, because Tomb Raider can't match any of Steven Spielberg's celebrated joyrides, but the ingredients are there for an exquisitely cinematic meal. Perhaps to distance himself from Lara Croft's video game origins, director Simon West takes things a bit too seriously; Tomb Raider handles its plot (involving a planetary alignment, the nefarious Illuminati, and coveted relics that hold the key to controlling the flow of time) with all the gravity of a championship chess match... minus the tension. If the movie had lightened up and been truly suspenseful (instead of being suffused with been-there, done-that familiarity), it would have been an instant popcorn classic. As it is, however, this is an elegantly mounted adventure featuring exotic locations (in Cambodia and Iceland) and an exotic star born for her role. Even without her padded bra, Jolie would be the living embodiment of Lara Croft, and that's enough to bode well for inevitable sequels.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
This sequel is certainly better than its 2001 predecessor, but its appeal is mostly aimed at fans of the video games that inspired both movies. That pretty much leaves you with some fun but familiar action sequences, and the ever-alluring sight of Angelina Jolie (reprising her title role) as she swims, swings, kicks, shoots, flies, jet-skis, motorcycles, and free-falls her way toward saving the world, this time by making sure that a grimacing villain (Ciaran Hinds) doesn't open Pandora's Box (yes, the actual mythological object) and unleash a deadly plague that will "weed out" the global population. Exotic locations add to Jolie's own coolly erotic appeal, but we're left wondering if this franchise has anywhere else to go. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What happened to Paramount....?
Well since Paramount became a Viacom company, their choices in what screenplays to turn into movies and who goes about doing them have been very shotty at best. Like building a bridge with very questionable steel and building materials. The Tomb Raider movies are what they are. Based on a video game. Using tons of CGI effects and really big film sets. Going on location to different areas of the world. Using high tech gadgets and various stunt work. At best, this is Paramount's effort to cash in on the James Bond movies, although the efforts seem rather pale in comparsion. Jollie is awful in the part. Her looks are ment to sell the movie while her acting is non-existent. There is no real story to be told here. It's lost in the production design over-kill of the movies. The DVD's are even worst. Paramount's DVD production is hit and miss at best. Either the DVDs are bare bones editions, or they will have behind the scenes featurettes on how the movies were made, but the interviews are useually poorly conducted and run way too long. I've bought several DVDs of Paramount movies now, and only a small handful have turned out to be any good. I have pretty much scrached Paramount off both my movie and DVD watching lists. They have lost it. and this Drek that they have been making the last several years now, proves it.

A Joy
I have a large DVD collection and these two movies are the ones that are the most watched. I love these movies because they are pure fun adventure that takes place all over the world and in these wonderful environments that have never been seen before on film. Angelina Jolie is the best female action hero when she is Lara Croft. The character suits her perfectly. Tomb Raider 1 and 2 are nothing but FUN! I love them! ... Read more

Reviews (101)

Contrived military drama.
It's fair to compare this with "Three Good Men", just another branch of service involved here, Army not Navy. (Also, in Three Good Men the incident takes place in Cuba, outside of FBI jurisdiction and what might be termed as a hostile environment). Nonetheless, they are both about an investigation, but 3GM ends up in the courtroom for a suspenseful finish, while General's Daughter ends with special effects. It boils down to a question of tatse, if you like SFX centre stage and acting on the side this movie fills the bill. As good as I think Travolta is, and he really isn't bad in this movie either, he delivers a cooky cutter performance. The location or venue is interesting - an army special ops training ground (attention has been paid to make the film realistic). Further, the film does have its moments of suspense, but it becomes pretty clear how it will end - early on. Travolta plays a sergeant who happens on to a murder while investigating arms smuggling from the base. He's a sort of Rambo character in the CID division (Criminal Investigation Dept), and his beligerant attitude with senior officers is somewhat amusing if not realistic. He meets the girl who is murdered, naturally likes her, finds somethings upseting about her in his investigation, and goes gunning for the murderer with a few "Sirs" thrown in to remind us of his rank! It's worth seeing, once.

Great entertainment with a good message!
I put this movie above all my other favorites of all time. The General's Daughter is thrilling and leaves you guessing until the end. Above all, I believe the movie sends out an excellent message that needs to be taken by our society and the military: it is a message that is not fabricated as many think, but one I know from personal experience needs to be taken by many people. From my experiences, this movie gives an accurate picture of the military. Shots of nudity and sexual scenes are not anything one would have seen in a movie ten years ago, but certainly adds to the plot of this movie. All of the actors give great performances. This is a must see film!

Better than advertised
I decided to watch this movie because of the original books author rather than the negative reviews that I had read. Parts of the movie are disturbing but less so than some other movies of this genre. Although the plot is somewhat contrived and although this will not become a classic, it is a good evening's entertainment with a good cast,photography and score.

Well Made---Slickly Done... Entertainment Dammit!
A bunch of people did not like The General's Daughter. I am not one of those people, and I liken the performences and cinematography to that of A Few Good Men, and that's saying a lot. he film, I give it four stars, but the DVD of it is awesome, with scenes from the book that (I believe) should've been in the movie, and commentary--everything you could ask for.

However, this was not as good as the book, but if you did indeed like this film, and haven't read the book--please do so... It's awesome, and I think the ending in the novel was better than the film's.

Bizarre and, frankly, offensive...
I often wonder what it is that attracts high-profile stars to this sort of drivel. When they can pretty much pick any script they want, and they choose stuff like this. I don't get it.

The film's biggest (or at least most obvious) problem is that the whole movie is so over-the-top atmospherically. Like A TIME TO KILL, the makers of this one seem to think that everyone in the Deep South wanders around with a film of sweat covering their entire body 24 hours a day. Doesn't anyone in this picture have a damn air conditioner? Not to mention the fact that every shot is bathed in an orange haze like it is perpetually 6:00 in the evening. Doesn't the sun ever move in the south?

Beyond that, the story is totally ridiculous. The title character's motivations are frankly absurd and the explanation for her death is bizarre without purpose. As well, the identity of her killer will be immediately apparent to anyone who is familiar with Roger Ebert's "Law of the Economy of Characters" which states that any character who has no other purpose to the story in a murder mystery is automatically the killer.

And let me ask this: What were the filmmakers thinking by including such a grotesquely graphic rape/murder in a big-budget summer action film? If they had been attempting to make a serious portrayal of the effects and aftermath of a rape/murder they might have gotten away with it. But THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER is supposed to be entertainment. It's all about context -- There was no point in showing this sort of realistic brutality here other than exploitation. Just offensive. ... Read more