Table of Contents
Jean-François returns to blockbuster Cinema with Gerard Butler and Mike Colter taking the stage. Jean-François Richet is best known for his work in France, notably the ‘Mesrine,’ a two-part crime epic. Now he’s taking on ‘Plane,’ a high-energy film with plenty of “hurrah” moments built in for the audience. You may question if you want to get on airplanes again but it may restore some faith in the people flying them.
Things to do:
- Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.
- Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider
- Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
Captain Brodie Torrance is a single father dealing with the distance away from his teenage daughter played by Haleigh Hekking. His scheduled flight from Singapore to Tokyo should just be another routine flight, but one thing after another keeps portending a bad time. The arrival of a criminal is added to the flight for transport as well as a storm surging towards them, but the airline Trailblazer demands they go out.
Once the plane is in the air it becomes apparent that they are going to have to make a crash landing. As the crew finds themselves on a separatist island in the Philippines, it leaves them fending for survival. Between the crew and the Trailblazer Headquarters, the movie moves fast as it makes sure to trim any ounce of fat. Before we know it we are up in the air again!
Related article: MUST WATCH – The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s Love Letter to Black Lives Matter – VIDEO
Gerard Butler Puts in a Star Performance
As a star, you have to have key elements down. Can you ride a horse, drive an automated car, and shoot a gun? Crying on cue is a must as well. Mere prerequisites that Gerard Butler has passed over his filmography. He is known for similar roles like ‘300’ and ‘Olympus Has Fallen,’ which all required training and attention to the visceral side of the script.
In ‘Plane,’ he is not unfamiliar with heroes we have seen before, but the performance put in by Butler convinces you of the efforts people can go to. Butler has shown the limits of the human body before being able to roll with the punches. The apparent age discrepancy is the comedic relief that gives the audience a breather, meaning we are really only getting a rest from the action when Capt. Torrance is taking his own breath. His character is witty enough to be meta at times.
Related article: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase: “The Importance of Venice Film Festival as the Protector of Cinema”
Related article: The Masters of Cinema Archives: The Hollywood Insider Pays Tribute to ‘La Vie En Rose’, Exclusive Interview with Director Olivier Dahan
Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
It was refreshing to see an acknowledgment of the physical impact the hero is taking. Often it can seem fake as the hero takes one improbable hit after another. After one hand-to-hand combat fights, the hero is completely spent. His injuries are a reality as he gets put through the wringer while helping his passengers.
Torrance has one mission as a captain and that is to make sure the safety of the passengers is secured. He takes his chances with calm and calculated risks which make for anxiety-provoking action scenes. Torrance is forced to trust the convict, Louis Gaspare, after realizing he might be his only chance at survival.
Related video: EVOLUTION: Every Tom Cruise Role From 1981 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related video: EVOLUTION: Every Johnny Depp Role From 1984 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Mike Colter’s Chance at Redemption
Known for his role as Luke Cage on the self-titled show on Netflix, Mike Colter is finally given a chance to show what he is capable of. A labeled character that is only getting judged by the cover on display. Colter’s character hates having his photo and video taken as he does not want to be objectified in that way.
He is on his way to prison for a murder that never gets talked about too much other than what we hear from Louis. He only will talk once his handcuffs are off. Once he is trusted by the captain, his rally to rectify his past begins. Colter’s performance is reflective of ‘Luke Cage’ as he wields a machine gun for most of the movie. He persists as the main force against the separatist militia that inhabits the island.
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Chris Evans Role From 1997 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant
Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers
Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar
He takes on the cold mist familiar to a character like John Rambo as he helps Gerard Butler to get in contact with the airline facility in the United States and guard the rest of the passengers. Colter keeps a soft tone in a massive body, meant to feel like a juxtaposition. We can see that he is a man who cares. Someone that is looking for a way to redeem his past.
Plane and Simple Sequences
Turbulence on an airplane can feel like a scary roller coaster, at least that’s how it is when you are up against a burgeoning storm. A plane crash has been done many times before from ‘Sully’ to ‘Flight.’ In any good action film, the sequence has to be good to stand out. A correct balance of staging, editing, and camera movements help accentuate the compositions at hand.
In ‘Plane,’ Richet stays close to Butler as he and his co-pilot, played by Yoson An, land the plane together. We are up close with the two captains as they attempt to make their descent. Richet shows how quickly you get to know someone’s life story before everything and anything can go wrong.
The fighting sequences on land are brief but choreographed well, meant to thrill the audience. Richet’s floating camera movements puts us through a perspective of our own, peeking into the action sequences. In all, creating a great sense of stakes and uneasiness of hoping to see the protagonist succeed. The action never stops, as even in gun-fighting scenes the use of sound design is used to help tense the situations up.
A Film That Hits Its Plot Points
The film is right to the point and wastes no time stretching anything out. At an hour and forty-seven minutes, it goes by relatively quickly, hitting the plot points along the way. ‘Plane’ is a great example of an action film that goes through the seven plot points of writing from the normal world to the new normal. Formulaic isn’t bad as long as it is captivating and exciting.
The film is able to bring plot points back in order to continue the story. In that way, it is sufficient in how it handles all the parts. From the plane to the Headquarters, and the reinforcements that show up, it is all for the purpose to get a mission complete. Like a chapter in a video game, it takes us to the extent that someone can go to make a difference.
‘Plane’ has great pacing that doesn’t keep an audience longer than it needs to. Each character has a purpose and function, quite similar to how a team has to work, and it ultimately is what is able to help save them. This is the perfect movie for some popcorn and high-velocity entertainment.
Jean-François Richet’s next film, ‘Twice,’ is currently in development. Gerard Butler will next appear in ‘Naya Legend of the Golden Dolphin,’ directed by Jonathon Kay and starring Kate Winslet and Elliot Page. Mike Colter is in production of ‘Murder City’ with Antonio Fargas and Stephanie Sigman, directed by Michael D. Olmos.
Writers: Charles Cummings and J.P. Davis
Director – Jean-François Richet
Mentioned Cast: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Daniella Pineda,Yoson An, Tony Goldwyn,
Cinematography: Brendan Galvin
Editor: David Rosenbloom
By Devon James
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider
– Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY
– A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema
– Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece
– A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond
– In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More
Author
You might also like…
Devon James is a screen and media writer determined to provide readers with engaging and informative content. His film industry background gives him an adept knowledge in the entertainment industry. This complies with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to educate readers. Devon likes seeing hidden voices in film that provide new cultural perspectives. He enjoys the conversations cinema creates; hoping through his writing to open up topics for discussion.
Devon James is a screen and media writer determined to provide readers with engaging and informative content. His film industry background gives him an adept knowledge in the entertainment industry. This complies with The Hollywood Insider’s mission to educate readers. Devon likes seeing hidden voices in film that provide new cultural perspectives. He enjoys the conversations cinema creates; hoping through his writing to open up topics for discussion.
