It’s an argument that can be made thatGerard Butlerhas long been the king of mid-budget action thrillers. Especially in recent years, Butler has had a knack for starring in films which raked in respectable numbers in their theatrical runs but do the bulk of their business on the small screen. Whether it bethe Den of Thieves films, theHas Fallen trilogy, or even lesser-known movies such as2023’sKandahar, Butler has long been dominating the mid-budget action space with one entertaining flick at a time, delighting fans of his on both the big and small screens alike.
But while Butler has always been a remarkably enjoyable presence in any film he’s a part of, it can be said that he has starred in some less-than-stellar projects in recent years. Thrillers likeHunter KillerandLast Seen Alive(a frustrating rip-off of the excellentBreakdownstarringKurt Russell) just didn’t hit the mark, fading away from viewers' memories as quickly as their instantly forgettable titles. So when the trailers for 2023’s poorly-titledPlanedebuted, many of even Gerard Butler’s most loyal fans weren’t behind the film, writing it off as another generic piece of streaming garbage that somehow got a theatrical release. Well, I’m here to tell you that was not the case at all.
What Is ‘Plane’ About?
Starring Butler andLuke Cage’sMike Colter,Planefollows Brodie Torrance (Butler), a pilot tasked with what is supposed to be an everyday, routine passenger flight. Naturally, things get out of hand when lightning strikes, forcing Torrance to make an emergency landing on a war-torn island in order to save his crew. But when his passengers are taken hostage by fearsome rebels, Torrance must count on the help of Louis Gaspare (Colter)— an accused murderer who was being transported aboard Torrance’s plane— to save his passengers and crew from a gruesome fate.
Planefeatures a fairly typical buddy action movie premise, pairing two completely different individuals together and forcing them to get along for the sake of accomplishing their mission. This is far from an unfamiliar trope, with even Butler’s most recent film,Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,featuring a similar set-up, teaming up Butler’s Big Nick with former adversary Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) to achieve a common goal. The point is, this is not exactly a novel concept for the action genre, butPlanefinds a way to help itself stand out among the many action thrillers like it.
‘Plane’ Strikes the Perfect Balance Between Silly and Serious
What givesPlanemore credibility than some of Gerard Butler’s lesser action fare is largely the film’s self-aware nature. It’s often quite difficult for action films to find the perfect groove between over-the-top silliness and grounded sincerity, butPlanemanages to pull off that tricky feat quite well.DirectorJean-François Richet— who previously directed the underratedBlood FatherstarringMel Gibson— brings a sense of authenticity to the action sequences, even going as far as to bring in real-life Navy SEALs as stunt performers and consultants to ensure the action feels as realistic as possible.
“There’s Things Going On”: Mike Colter Gives an Update on ‘Plane’ Sequel, ‘Ship’ [Exclusive]
The first film starred Colter alongside Gerard Butler.
There’s a lot to love aboutPlanefrom an action standpoint, as the film makes for a very compelling and tense slice of fun. That being said,Planestill wisely knows when to liven things up and poke fun at its goofy premise, often sprinkling in some silly baddie takedowns and one-liners from Butler that keep the proceedings light and enjoyable despite the film’s high stakes. I dare not spoil it, butPlanefeatures the single funniest/coolest villain death in aGerard Butler action flick, and it’s worth giving the movie a watch just for that glorious moment alone.
Planemay not go down alongsidetheJohn WickfranchiseorMad Max: Fury Roadas the most prestigious action film in the history of cinema, but it’s actually far better than one would imagine given its unimaginative title and premise. Butler and Colter share solid chemistry, the action is tight and gritty, and the film knows how to have fun rather than simply plodding through a series of mediocre, forgettable action set pieces.It may not be a film you come back to time and time again, but it’s one worthy of your time. Whether you’re a simple action enthusiast or a die-hard Gerard Butler fan, there’s something here to enjoy.Planeis now streaming on Netflix.
