Sun 25 Sep 2016
A Movie Review: PASSENGER 57 (1992).
Posted by Steve under Action Adventure movies , Reviews[7] Comments
PASSENGER 57. Warner Brothers, 1992. Wesley Snipes, Bruce Payne, Tom Sizemore, Alex Datcher, Bruce Greenwood, Robert Hooks, Elizabeth Hurley. Director: Kevin Hooks.
I don’t know how you can live as long as I have and still be able to say that this is the first movie starring Wesley Snipes that I have even seen, but it is so. I see from his resume on IMDb that over his career he has made quite a few action thriller movies like this one, and as of 2014, he was still making them, if The Expendables 3 is the kind of movie I think it is.
This one has to do with a notorious terrorist and a gang of equally vicious followers with the same carefree attitude toward killing that he has. To help rescue their leader from the FBI, they take over a passenger jet that Snipes’ character, a newly promoted chief of security, just happens to be a passenger on.
I don’t think the movie is as good as those in the “Diehard” series, say, but I enjoyed it. There is a light touch to the movie that makes all of the gunfire, martial arts fighting, explosions and every other means of organized chaos all the more bearable, such as when one elderly female passenger mistakenly takes Snipes’ character to be Arsenio Hall.
The ladies in the cast are, unfortunately, the weakest links, in my opinion, but all of the men are consummate pros at this sort of thing, especially the primary villain (Bruce Payne), who seems to be having a great time playing pure evil incarnate, and with his glowering presence, taking over every scene he’s in.
But here’s the question. Would I watch another Wesley Snipes movie? Based on this sample of size one, I see no reason why not.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:24 pm
This is probably the best of Snipes thrillers. Not in a class with some others best, but entertaining.
September 26th, 2016 at 6:08 am
Of course, Wesley was Willie Mays Hayes in MAJOR LEAGUE, but if you can turn off your brain (believe me, it’s necessary) for some truly stupid, but watchable, violent action, you might try the really dumb MONEY TRAIN.
September 26th, 2016 at 7:34 am
A good movie also directed by Kevin Hooks:
The Color of Friendship (2000).
This is not an action film. It is a cheerful drama about social issues.
September 26th, 2016 at 11:32 am
Not an action movie, but “White Men Can’t Jump” with Woody Harrelson is pretty darn good. Just the dialogue alone is worth it.
September 26th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Blade, with Kris Kristoffersen, is pretty good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaU2A7KyOu4
September 26th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Based on a character developed by Marv Wolfman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_(film)
September 28th, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Jonathan,
I forgot about the BLADE series. They were good.