Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) has just been released from service as an Army Ranger, returning to his wife, Tricia (Monica Potter). However, when they are threatened by some belligerent drinkers in the bar where she is working, he is forced to defend them. Oops! His military skills caused him to accidentally kill a man and end up in jail. Of course, Tricia is now pregnant, and after Cameron serves his eight-year sentence, he is ready to finally meet his little girl. He is being transferred across the country in a flight full of the nastiest nasties: Billy Bedlam (Nick Chinlund), Ramon ‘Sally-Can’t Dance’ Martinez (Renoly Santiago), Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames), Pinball (David Chapelle), Johnny-23 (Danny Trejo), all led by Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom (John Malkovic). The transfer is being overseen by US Marshall Larkin (John Cusack) and the idiot DEA Agent Duncan Malloy (Colm Meaney). But, a few things happen and by the time they stop to pick up the new prisoners Garland “The Marietta Mangler” Greene (Steve Buscemi), Swamp Thing (M.C. Gainey) and a few others, the plane is run by the prisoners, Malloy is messing things up, and it is up to Poe (staying on the plane to help his mate, Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson) who is diabetic and requires insulin) to try to ensure that they don’t all die.
Con Air is most definitely amongst my favourite action films. It’s corny and terrible, but it is exactly that which makes it brilliant. Some of the best moments were when everything goes slow motion, Nicolas Cage strides across the screen and there is some wild eighties style guitar solo playing. Brilliant.
Con Air was nominated for Oscars for Best Sound and Best Music, Original Song (How Do I Live)
ireckonthat 