Movie #71 - Air Force One

"Harrison Ford is the President of the United States."

Yes, that is the tagline for this film. As a Sigma Nu brother of Harrison Ford, I am somewhat biased to his films - especially since I own 70% of the Ford VHS movie collection (I stopped when you couldn't buy VHS movies anymore at Wal-Mart).

The bonus of this film is that it stars Gary Oldman. Oldman ranks very high on my list of top actors, especially since his roles are so diverse and you really end up hating him as a villain, which makes the protagonist even better. In this case, Oldman is a terrorist that holds the passengers and crew of Air Force One hostage, including the President of the United States, Harrison Ford.

What makes this film and many of Ford's films funny is that he becomes an action hero as the film progresses... but is still unable to throw a proper punch on screen. Either cast as a lawyer, a surgeon, an IT specialist, or Indiana Jones, all of Ford's films end up the same way. For some strange reason, Ford is always wearing either a suit or a leather jacket... and to throw a punch in either of those is quite difficult - both are very constrictive that you end up throwing what I call a "suit punch." Suit punches are awkward looking and usually miss, unless you rip the elbow of the suit or throw your shoulder out in the process.

Anyways, getting back to AFO, Oldman steals the show here. I remember President Clinton was quoted as saying that this was his favourite movie... but I doubt that would be true, considering not only was he a draft dodger in the 60's, but if a terrorist ever held the first lady and first daughter hostage - Clinton would be the first to jump in that escape pod.

There are some other good cameos here: Dean Stockwell, Glenn Close, J.T. Walsh, and Jurgen Prochnow, however, the real storyline takes place between Ford and Oldman. Although Ford's performance is weak in comparison to Oldman's, it would be nice to see these foes do battle again in a future picture... it would easily rejuvenate the struggling career of Mr. Ford and be a treat to watch for sure!