EXECUTIVE DECISION

Rated R for violence and brief language

Reviewed by: Tim Emmerich
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating:	Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:	Teen to Adult
Genre:	Action
Length:	2 hr. 9 min.
MPAA Rating:

FILM CREDITS

Starring: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, B.D. Wong | Director: Stuart Baird | Writers: Jim Thomas, John Thomas

“Die Hard” on a plane

Well, not exactly Die Hard. There is no Bruce Willis, but it is a similar concept. There are lots of people aboard a 747 airplane while it is hijacked by terrorists. The typical demands are that a ruthless leader be released from jail. But their leverage is more than just the helpless hostages on the flight. Nope, this terrorist makes a real threat of delivering a payload of a dangerous nerve toxin, DZ-5. The toxin is quite lethal and presents a problem to the simple solution of "let's shoot the plane down" since the toxins could get in the atmosphere and do more damage (plus the hostages wouldn't appreciate that option). Don't worry, Kurt Russell will save the day.

David Grant (Kurt Russell), is an American intelligence analyst. He just so happens to be an expert in international terrorism as well. Grant is joined by Lieutenant Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal). Travis is in charge of a special forces elite anti-terrorist unit. They use an experimental aircraft that was designed to transfer bomber crews at high altitudes to board the hijacked 747. Don't worry, they are only about 5 miles up in the air above the Atlantic Ocean. I will not give away too many of the details as there are some unusual twists to be seen.

While this genre requires some violence, Executive Decision was not too extreme. One will be witness to the death of many people. The language was far from perfect as well.

This movie does hold some neat special effects. Also for people interested in plane technology, the delivery plane and aspects of the 747 are neat. If you are a Steven Seagal fan, you may be disappointed. Or if you aren't, you may be pleasantly surprised.

From a Christian standpoint, the movie is pointless. The only lesson that can be reinforced is to cherish each day. Serve God wholeheartedly. Show God's love to your neighbors and enemies alike.

Year of Release — 1996

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I liked it. For what it is—good guys vs the terrorists on a 747—I think "Executive Decision" delivers, far more say than "Air Force One". This is action, not drama; story, not fact; and the ending is a parody in waiting for a Leslie Neilson film. Yet, the confines of the jumbo jet are well filmed making what I thought was interesting footage as the crack team sneaks around the plane. The plot itself is up to par with a James Bond film, and more believable too. (Though that's not saying much). Opening scene is too violent, Steven Seagal's character dies early (a plus), and the story should hold you to the end. A well done popcorn flick. My Ratings: [2.5/4]
—Todd Adams, age 32