Right here’s the factor: I really like Con Air. I used to be blown away by the all-time nice motion film after I first noticed it as a child again in 1997, and 28 years later, I’m simply as obsessive about it. Though some issues won’t ever make sense concerning the star-studded motion flick, there’s a lot to like. You’ve obtained one of many wildest Nicolas Cage characters, an wonderful John Cusack efficiency, and fairly probably essentially the most ruthless group of villains of all time led by John Malkovich’s Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom.
Although Cyrus is sort of probably some of the charismatic, clever, and meanest dangerous guys of the ‘90s, I don’t assume he’s the worst of the worst aboard the “Jail Chook.” Certain, he’s the ringleader of all of it and provides extra notches to his kill rely than anybody else within the film, however there are some runaways on the airplane which can be much more rotten. Let me clarify…
Cyrus ‘The Virus’ Grissom
Whereas it’s true that Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom orchestrated the entire hijacking, killed an ungodly variety of folks, and has a rap sheet longer than simply about anybody in Con Air, it’s argued within the film that he’s a “true product of the system.” It doesn’t absolve this show-stealing villain of his crimes, however it’s all he’s ever recognized.
The 11 inmates killed throughout his stints in jail, three riots, and two escape makes an attempt gained’t put him on the “good” checklist, however in contrast to a few of his co-conspirators and fellow passengers, John Malkovich’s totally insane character did a minimum of have requirements. Regardless of having “killed extra males than most cancers,” Cyrus despises rapists, has no time for white nationalists, and is extremely loyal to those that have his again (simply don’t flip towards him).
Nathan ‘Diamond Canine’ Jones
Nathan “Diamond Canine” Jones, Ving Rhames’ militant home terrorist in jail for blowing up an NRA assembly, is almost as charismatic and devilish as Cyrus, and he additionally has fairly the chew. One of many orchestrators of the jail transport airplane takeover, Diamond Canine is just about The Virus’ right-hand man. And regardless of being a really, very dangerous man, his allure, wit, and smile make it onerous to hate on him an excessive amount of.
Yeah, he kills a number of of us, provides a number of extra felonies to an already spectacular checklist, and makes life a dwelling hell for Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), however once more, it’s onerous to maintain this canine down.
Earl ‘Swamp Factor’ Williams
Earl “Swamp Factor” Williams (M. C. Gainey) is without doubt one of the hijackers we be taught the least about in Con Air. Exterior of being a talented pilot (and understanding how one can correctly take away a airplane’s transponder) and fellow inmate, nothing a lot is alleged about him earlier than or after he hitches a experience in Carson Metropolis. Nevertheless, his loopy humorousness, facial hair, and normal disdain for authority put him in the midst of the pack so far as terribleness goes.
Joe ‘Pinball’ Parker
I miss the times when Dave Chappelle would randomly present up in motion pictures like You’ve Obtained Mail and Con Air, as a result of he had an ideal batting common within the late ‘90s. Although Joe “Pinball” Parker doesn’t get a complete lot of time within the film earlier than he will get crushed by the touchdown gear and finally ends up smashing by means of that outdated dude’s automotive, he does play a key function in taking on the airplane.
The serial arsonist catching a fellow inmate on hearth kickstarts the entire takeover of the airplane, and him rapidly grabbing a guard’s keys permits the extra violent offenders to flee their cages. If he’d saved his mouth shut (and that balloon of gasoline and matches) in his abdomen, Cameron Poe would have made it dwelling on time.
Francisco Cindino
Francisco Cindino (Jesse Borrego) is simply in Con Air for a short time earlier than he will get become a pile of ashes by Cyrus Grissom, however this man had it coming. A South American drug lord and terrorist who helped finance the entire operation, Cindino made the error of attempting to double-cross some of the ruthless males to ever undergo america Penal System.
William ‘Billy Bedlam’ Bedford
Okay, now it’s time to speak concerning the dangerous of the dangerous with regards to Con Air villains. First up is William “Billy Bedlam” Bedford (Nick Chinlund), a person with completely no redeeming qualities. He’s not vivid, he’s not humorous, he’s not good, and he has some of the disturbing causes for being in jail within the first place.
This man did not kill his spouse after catching her having an affair, however as a substitute drove 4 cities over to her household’s home the place he killed her dad and mom, her brothers, her sisters, and even the canine earlier than it was all mentioned and achieved. Plus, he did not put the bunny again within the field when Cameron Poe politely requested him to go away his stuff alone.
John ‘Johnny 23’ Baca
Danny Trejo could also be a badass in actual life, however his character in Con Air was one wicked sicko. John “Johnny 23” Baca, whose identify can be “Johnny 600” if the authorities knew what number of girls he had assaulted earlier than being caught, even has a tattoo representing every of his victims on his arm.
The serial rapist, who largely simply seemed scary and made a number of threats to Guard Sally Bishop (Rachel Ticotin) on the flight from Hell, confirmed not even a sliver of regret from begin to end, which made him one of many worst of the worst on “Jail Chook.”
Garland ‘The Marietta Mangler’ Greene
Steve Buscemi’s Garland Greene is launched as “The Marietta Mangler” when he’s introduced aboard the airplane like Hannibal Lecter midway by means of Con Air, and immediately turns into some of the insane and unforgettable convicts on the escape path. Whereas the person chargeable for numerous murders does appear to be one of many nicer convicts on the flight (a minimum of on the floor degree),
Regardless of his pleasant demeanor, eager commentary expertise, and talent to level out irony within the worst of occasions, I can’t put aside the truth that Greene bragged about driving by means of a number of states sporting a sufferer’s head like a hat. However his profitable escape on the finish of the film does have me bummed we by no means obtained a Con Air sequel.
So, Who’s The Worst?
If Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom isn’t the worst of the worst from Con Air, then who’s it? Properly, after considering lengthy and onerous about this, I firmly imagine that it’s Billy Bedlam who’s the sickest, most wicked, and unlikable convict aboard the airplane. Not solely did he kill his spouse’s household (and canine) in order that she would endure much more, and never solely was he a hen shit all through the film, however he additionally messed with Cameron Poe’s try to do the precise factor and wreck his shock for his daughter.
Johnny 23 and Garland Greene weren’t far behind, however Billy Bedlam was simply the worst…
Bonus: DEA Agent Duncan Malloy
Earlier than I’m going, I simply should level out that DEA Agent Duncan Malloy (Colm Meaney) needs to be the largest jerk in Con Air and probably in any ‘90s film. It’s partially his fault every thing went to hell within the film, and his “AZZ KIKR” license plate provides off some critical inferiority advanced like he’s Kirk Millhouse sleeping in a racing automotive on The Simpsons. Nevertheless, his introductory line of “that is fucking spectacular” when describing his automotive is without doubt one of the greatest components of the film.
I do know Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom is a horrible man who deserved to exit by getting crushed by some random piece of apparatus off the Las Vegas Strip, however there’s no denying he’s among the best villains of all time.