Movie Review Repost - Non-Stop (2014)

So in relation to Sully, I already reposted a review of another Clint Eastwood movie (American Sniper) so this week I'll repost a review of another airplane movie: Non-Stop. Overall, it's a rather forgettable flick and... yeah not much more to reminisce about. In fact the only reason I'm bringing it up is because I haven't got anything better to show you. Sorry! New material next week, I promise! In the meantime, return your seats to their upright position, fasten your seat belts and enjoy the wordplay.

   Last night I answered the boarding call to watch Non-Stop, a thriller movie starring Liam Neeson that takes place on a Transatlantic flight. I wonder if movies like this are ever shown on airplanes?

   The story focuses on federal air marshal Bill Marks who receives text messages on his secure phone from one of the passengers announcing that someone on the plane will be murdered every 20 minutes unless $150 million is paid out. Now this is a pretty cool premise, like something out a Hitchcock film; nearly every character is brought under suspicion at some point and it keeps you guessing until the very end just who the killer really is. Unfortunately, if you look out your left window, you'll see a few predictable cliches: the main character has a secretive, troubled past; his superior officers won't listen to him, etc. Also, the villain's true motive is just lame once you find out what it really is.    There's also a bit of logical turbulence once you take the plotholes into account. Why would an air marshal smoke in an airplane bathroom? And how did the bad guy know Marks was doing it? How did the bad guy manage to sneak a switchblade on board the plane? And worst of all: why does the bathroom allow access to the cockpit?! I have my sincere doubts that that would ever happen in real life.

   Anyways, Liam Neeson stars as Bill Marks, the chain-smoking, alcoholic air marshal who hates flying. The movie definitely benefits from having him lead, though his performance is somewhat subdued (ie. The monotone voice from Star Wars). Regardless, Liam Neeson does add intensity with his patented sharp stare, angry growl and forward lean.

   The only other notable thing is that this movie uses a ton of shaky cam: the headache-inducing kind, not the good kind. In particular, the final action scene has so much shaky cam and is so choppily edited that I could barely tell what was going on! Just remember to keep your air sickness bags within arm's reach.

   But overall, Non-Stop is harmless enough. It'll satisfy both action movie fans and Liam Neeson fans. It's passable, but nothing special. (But at least it's better than Flightplan. Remember that crap?)

Rating: two and a half stars out of five.