Even the most entertaining flights can lose altitude when things get bumpy.
In Flight Risk, we’re introduced to Madelyn Harris (Michelle Dockery), a Deputy US Marshall who has just collared Winston (Topher Grace), a fugitive who has escaped to Alaska. After Winston brokers a deal to help bring down his former mob boss employer, the two board a small prop plane destined for Anchorage where they’re needed in trial. Joined by their pilot, Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg), the three take to the air to cross the Alaskan wilderness. However, as tensions soar, things quickly get out of hand when they discover that not everyone on board is who they seem.
As a director, Gibson has shown great ability as the director of action sequences. Although his Academy Award for Braveheart is almost 30 years past now, he continues to show his skills behind the camera. (Remember that the Oscar-nominated Hacksaw Ridge was only a decade ago.) As such, there are moments where this Flight can be genuinely heart pounding. Whether it’s avoiding mountains or landing in chaos, some of the sequences within Flight Risk showcase the best of his abilities.
Strangely though, the ‘mid-flight entertainment’ doesn’t always keep your attention. Despite some legitimate twists and turns, the tension between characters doesn’t always hold. Written by Jared Rosenberg, there are moments where the script slows down with an awkward pacing and clunky dialogue. (Frankly, it’s rare that a film that’s only 91 minutes has moments that feel ‘too long’.) Trapping its characters within the confines of the cabin, Flight struggles to keep the film in the air. While it doesn’t entirely derail the flight, these moments do seem to take the trip off course.
Performances within the film mostly work well. As the hard-nosed US Marshall, Dockery turns in some delightful work that helps her continue to break out of her Downton Abbey typecasting. (It’s worth noting that she also played the wife of a drug baron in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen and last year’s bloodbath actioner, Boy Kills World as well.) What’s more, Topher Grace may have found his calling in roles that require him to be intentionally grating. Similar to Bill Paxton’s role in Aliens, Grace snipes and quips in ways that keep the tension high and the scenes interesting.
But Wahlberg here is operating at another level. As the film’s antagonist, he turns up the acting dial to its highest setting. We are meant to despise him and Wahlberg does his best to ensure that we do. (This also includes the use of gender slurs that feel out of place.) Although it doesn’t always work, Wahlberg is clearly revelling at the rare chance to play a villain and he dives in with enthusiasm. (It’s also worth noting that, despite the fact that he’s featured prominently in the poster, Wahlberg is not the film’s main focus.)
Interestingly though, this Flight appears to have something to say. Without giving away any spoilers, these are all characters who have troubles in their past. For some, it’s a non-issue and defines who they are. For others, it’s a burden that they carry. But Flight seems to want to give opportunity for its characters to land somewhere different. Instead, the film suggests that what matters is ‘what’s next’ as opposed to what ‘was’. This is very much a story that wants to give opportunity for redemption by making better choices. Characters are (mostly) given hearts worth saving, even if they aren’t sure what they need to do to make it happen.
For that surprisingly interesting discussion, Flight Risk feels like it’s carrying something of value in its cargo hold. Mixed in with some engaging action scenes, there’s some solid entertainment value to be had in moments. Unfortunately, the film’s uneven script makes the film a bumpier ride than it needs to be, meaning that this Flight may not be worth the Risk.
Flight Risk is available in theatres on Friday, January 24th, 2025.
