Air Force One

A movie in my view does not owe its success to one particular aspect of the filmmaking process such as its acting, visual effects or story. It is the harmony between various elements that create something special for an audience. “Air Force One” is a good example of this. I feel that many parts of this film are quite well done and because they work well together, you get a great experience. I am grateful to this film for two major reasons: its musical score and my introduction to Gary Oldman. This is a post cold war film but also deals somewhat with terrorism so it is still entertaining today as it was when it was released. Had "Air Force One" been made 10 years later though, it would have been quite different. Harrison Ford is so much fun to watch but the other actors, the story and music make this film even more intense and entertaining. I remember seeing this film for the first time and how much I was captivated by it. It is more than just a story about one man versus six terrorists. The President must defend his principles on the front lines himself.

The casting was handled expertly with this type of film. The script was written for Kevin Costner but in my opinion, he is a hit and miss actor. Sometimes, I don’t believe his performance. I am so glad that Harrison Ford was cast instead. This film needed him and his past history of action films. The way he performed his speech at the start made Harrison believable as President of the United States. He also helped established the script’s goal of making him a family man with honorable aspirations as a world leader. Harrison’s very presence also helped his character's persona as a former soldier, capable of using the element of surprise. During the action sequences and even throughout the entire film, Harrison is able to appear vulnerable but dangerous. Before playing Commissioner Gordon and Sirius Black, Gary Oldman for me was the terrifying terrorist who hijacks the plane in “Air Force One”. As usual, a hero is only as good as the villain. This character created by Oldman is one of my favorite villains because of the intensity Oldman puts into it. Beginning with the scene where he storms the cockpit, I knew that he was going to be a dangerous villain and someone you could genuinely fear. Anyone would be scared if they crossed this character in real life. The scenes where he is speaking softly are filled with as much tension and uneasiness as when he flies off the handle. Oldman has never disappointed me with his work but this is his best performance in my view. Glenn Close does a great job also but that is to be expected. She plays a convincing leader. I like what her character goes through in that she is trying to solve a national crisis while at the same time defending her friend the President. The chemistry between all the members of the cast makes the film enjoyable and believable.

To negotiate or not to negotiate? The story is really good in this film. The president must unexpectedly and personally defend his speech by not tolerating the men who have taken his family and plane. After making the speech in his opening scene, President Marshall has to confront two groups of people who challenge what he has said: the terrorists that coincidently have planned to hijack his plane and his own cabinet who feel that giving into the terrorists might be the only option. He has to face people on both sides of the spectrum of good and evil to see if he will stand by his policy. The mole Gibbs is a good addition to the story because we as the audience are the only ones who know about him. In the theater, I heard gasps and groans as Marshall gave him a gun. We are concerned with Gibbs hidden identity even after the death of the terrorists because we know that eventually, he will reveal himself. It takes so long for that to happen that we almost go nuts in anticipation. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when the first terrorist starts to fight back against Marshal and the terrorist is able at one point to look at his opponent. Humorously, the surprise on his face is removed by a blow from the President.

Finally, we come to Jerry Goldsmith’s score. The main theme to “Air Force One” is used today by presidents and candidates for the Oval Office. While in concert band in high school, we played an arranged version of the score. It has become one of my very favourite musical film scores. The theme is very patriotic and that mood is established well in the opening credits. The theme also represents leadership, power and morality. When I first heard this score in the theater, I began to get excited for Harrison Ford’s role as the President. It is amazing that the score was written in 12 days after the original composer was replaced. The use of the main theme is well done in that we hear it in celebration of any “victory” of Marshall.

The film has become a favorite action movie of mine. I feel like I am watching a scenario of what would happen if Indiana Jones were president. When the fourth Indy film was coming out and friends of mine were wondering if Harrison could still fight at his age, I would point out this film as possible evidence that he could. Gary Oldman is phenomenal and Glenn Close helped make the exposition scenes fun to watch & contemplate. The story is well written and well carried by the whole cast. The music brings drama and passion to the whole experience. I silently cheered a lot when I first saw this film and I still do it.

4.5 Stars