Con Air

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2:24

Con Air

R

1997

1h 55m

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Just-paroled army ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is headed back to his wife (Monica Potter), but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed "Jailbird" with some of the worst criminals living. Along with Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) and Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson), genius serial killer Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich) unleashes a violent escape plot in mid-flight. Secretly working with U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), Poe tries to foil Grissom's plan.

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Critics Consensus

Con Air won't win any awards for believability - and all involved seem cheerfully aware of it, making some of this blockbuster action outing's biggest flaws fairly easy to forgive.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

02/28/2018

The saving grace of Con Air is its sense of its own absurdity. Rosenberg and director Simon West seem to know just how preposterous their story is.

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Carol Buckland

CNN.com

01/05/2018

It's exhausting rather than exhilarating.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

06/06/2017

Packed high with explosive action and loaded with high-stakes jeopardy, Con Air charts a generally sound narrative course, although it hits some story turbulence before it hits its climactic jackpot.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

11/07/2022

3.5/5

Writer Scott Rosenberg throws in plenty of conundrums, curveballs and extra characters...

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/01/2022

C

The bunny is a good indication that the script, by Scott Rosenberg, was intended as a deadpan goof on stupid action flicks.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/16/2022

4/5

“Con Air” never takes itself too seriously. It knows how preposterous it is and doesn’t try to be anything other than wild raucous popcorn entertainment. And sometimes that’s all I’m in the mood for.

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J T

@Jason123 Feb 23

Sorry I don't at all agree with Rotten Tomatoes popcorn score of 75% - this movie was awful and ridiculous and Cage's southern accent is bad - real bad, how was Cage cast in this role? The only redemption of this movie is John Malkovich. Script awful. 75% .. really ?!!

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Enrique R

@EnriqueRamosLovesMovies Jan 28

Con Air, a fantastic action film. This is prime Nicolas Cage that made movies around the same year with The Rock and Face/Off, which are amazing movies. The action, the story, the characters are all great. But, overall, I give Con Air a 9/10 or a 4/5 stars.

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Wait , Whut ?!

@iamhipnhappy Jan 7

So, there have been so many outright garbage sequels and prequels, especially from the mouse house. Why not a prequel for the Cameron Poe character from this classic? Either as the decorated soldier and his exploits leading up to the night at the bar fight that ended him up on the "Con Air" flight, or, as a pardoned US Marshal in some action packed scenario. Either or both seem like they would be great draws at the ticket booth. Say what you want about the "believability" of the plot, (it's entertainment for an hour and a hour for gosh sake), it's longevity and popularity speaks to the entertainment value and for the plot and pace the multi star cast brought it home very well. I'll always feel Nick Cage is an underrated actor and his versatility and willingness to not be "character cast" and is a Hollywood favorite leading man/performer with a laundry list of great films albeit some less "believable" than others but, ALWAYS worth the theater ticket ! Anyone want to weigh in ? ~

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Brian F.

@FedUpDVDCollector Jan 5

On a short list for best action movie. Cheesy lines and unbelievable scenarios make for good laughs along the way. Great cast and self-aware writing.

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DZ E

@Ziggy88z Jan 4

85/100 Great acting.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Jan 1

I really liked this movie. Great cast. Action packed, but only really at the end.

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Simon West

Director

Nicolas Cage

Cameron Poe

John Cusack

U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin

John Malkovich

Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom

Steve Buscemi

Garland 'The Marietta Mangler' Greene

Ving Rhames

Nathan 'Diamond Dog' Jones

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93%

82%

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Rotten Tomatoes is Wrong About… Nicolas Cage

51:46

Con Air: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Just-paroled army ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is headed back to his wife (Monica Potter), but must fly home aboard a prison transport flight dubbed "Jailbird" with some of the worst criminals living. Along with Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) and Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson), genius serial killer Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich) unleashes a violent escape plot in mid-flight. Secretly working with U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), Poe tries to foil Grissom's plan.

Director: Simon West
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Scott Rosenberg
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Runway Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Kouf/Bigelow Productions, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Hiett Designs of Las Vegas
Rating: R
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 6, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $101.1M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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