A simple pitch that would mainly be described as “Bullet Prepare” within the sky, the Josh Hartnett-led “Flight or Flight” is the most recent motion knock-off to crash and burn whereas flying by the seat of its pants. Look, I like Hartnett and I’m totally on board for his profession resurgence, however he’s utterly out of his aspect on this messy, high-altitude misfire. He performs a former Secret Service agent tasked with finding somebody identified solely as “The Ghost” aboard a global flight, solely to find that a complete military of skilled assassins can be on board, all after a $10 million bounty to kill the identical goal.
It’s an inexpensive film, made with even cheaper visible results, a climactic brawl involving a chainsaw received’t be successful any awards anytime quickly. Sloppily assembled with desires of launching a franchise, it by no means takes off. To his credit score, Hartnett offers it a shot, bringing some manic power to a movie that has virtually none. He makes the boring components barely much less excruciating, which, in a film this uninspired and uneven, is the distinction between checking your watch or hoping the theater projector all of a sudden breaks.
Hartnett performs Lucas, a disgraced CIA operative now consuming his means by means of the slums of Bangkok. He will get a name from his ex, Katherine (Katee Sackhoff), additionally a authorities agent, who presents him a shot at redemption. The specifics of what he did mistaken don’t actually matter, the film doesn’t care, as long as it will get him on a airplane certain for San Francisco to trace down this elusive Ghost and produce them in alive.
Nobody is aware of who the Ghost truly is, which units up a whodunit-style thriller as Lucas searches the cabin for clues. However the twist? Half the passengers are additionally assassins making an attempt to kill each the Ghost and Lucas. From there, “Flight or Flight” spirals right into a string of loosely linked motion scenes, sprinkled with tacky one-liners and populated by characters you couldn’t care much less about.
There are not any stakes. Why ought to we care if Lucas saves the Ghost? What’s the actual story between him and Katherine? Who’re these assassins, and why are all of them conveniently booked on the identical flight? None of it holds collectively. The motion begins massive and loud, which leaves it nowhere to go however down. Some character deaths are clearly performed for laughs, whereas others are handled with sudden, jarring seriousness. The film can’t decide a tone and stands proud like turbulence on a easy journey.
Hartnett deserves higher. He brings what he can, however even he can’t save a film this disjointed and brain-numbing. If this was meant to be the beginning of a brand new franchise, somebody ought to’ve pulled the emergency brake earlier than takeoff. Ditch these journey plans.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT is now enjoying in theaters.