It is all FIGHT OR FLIGHT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Video On Demand (Apple TV, Fandango At Home and Prime Video) from director James Madigan based on the books by Brooks McLaren, D.J. Cotrona and Vertical is a plane ride like no other with FIGHT OR FLIGHT.

An elusive hacker named The Ghost has struck again and Agents Aaron Hunter (Julian Kostov) and boss Katherine Brunt (Katee Sackhoff) are up against the wall to find out who it is and how to capture someone with no photo or fingerprint. Brunt decides there is only one person who can do the job, ex-boyfriend and disgraced CIA Agent Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett). Reyes is stuck in Bangkok where the Ghost has struck but he doesn’t want anything to do with Brunt or her request for help. He is much happier living his days pickling his liver. Yet, once he realizes that it might be his ticket home, he consents.

Waiting at the airport is a ticket to San Francisco where the Ghost is supposed to land. On the plane greeting boarders are stewards Isha (Charithra Chandran), Royce (Danny Ashok) and Garrett (Hughie O’Donnell) who get everyone settled. It doesn’t take long before there is a leak somewhere as it becomes clear that on the dark web is a hit for Reyes’ target. Still, no one knows who it is. Reyes is the first to be attacked and he is told there is a massive bounty for the Ghost. Brunt also learns that the plan Reyes is on is filled with assassins looking to collect.

Reyes discovers who the Ghost is but needs the help of Isha, Royce and Garrett to keep them alive and the passengers who have nothing to do with the hit. It all quickly turns when Reyes has a hit out on him! Now the fight begins with 8 hours in the air as Reyes realizes there is much more to the story than he is being told by Brunt, the one person he doesn’t want to trust. There are so many on the plane that the fight is going to get duty but then again, you play stupid games you get stupid prizes!

Hartnett as Reyes is a bit of a drinker who is not happy being trapped in Bangkok which his ex-girlfriend is living the good life in a nice job. When he sees her number show up, it is clear he hasn’t gotten over it in two years. Getting on the plane is his only chance to get some semblance of a life back. Hartnett gets the chance to be a run down, angry CIA agent who would rather be mad at everything. With one phone call it can all change, but that doesn’t mean he still isn’t holding a grudge. I loved watching Hartnett be a bit John Wick but the other end of the spectrum with one liners and serious moments where his behind is handed to him. I can see a franchise forming here and I’m all for it.

Sackhoff as Brunt gets to do what she does best, give the audience a stiff face that doesn’t change expression no matter what the circumstances. Knowing calling Hartnett’s character is less than a last resort, she still does it making promises to get her way. Sackhoff has always been able to be a good/bad/good character actor and I can easily see how this role can grow in a franchise. I hope we get to see that. Kostov as Hunter is an agent who is just so all over the place that it’s hard to keep up – just as his fellow agents. Trying to keep happenings away from the boss, the is mouthy, rude and wants to reach higher in his career no matter what it takes. Kostov gives a character that is easy to not like very much and that’s all I’m saying about that. What a well-played roll.

Chandran as Isha is a stewardess who is just trying to do her job, that is until she realizes that Reyes has a problem. She is a strong character that has no problem helping Reyes once she realizes what they are all up against. Chandran does an awesome of being part of the wild ride and for so many reasons. Ashok as Royce is the twitchy steward that can’t keep his OCD at bay once the chaos begins. I have to say love characters like this that give us comedy in the midst of drama and Ashok gives it full on. O’Donnel as Garret is the gold standard of a steward who believes his job in premium class is everything. Well, that is until mayhem comes to his section of the plane. He made me laugh a lot.

Shout out to Kohli and Baxter as the pilots of the plane who seriously had me giggling a lot!

Extended cast includes Sanjeev Kohli as the Pilot, Declan Baxter as the Co-Pilot, Heather Choo as Monk Heather, Claudia Heinz as Monk Claudia, Marko Zaror as Cayenne, JuJu Chan Szeto as Master Lian, Jyuddah Jaymes as Agent Robinson, Willem van der Vegt as Agent Simmons, Sarah Lam as Mae, Iren Bordan as Mrs. Nazareth, Balint Adorjani as Sky Marshall and Nora Trokan as Cat Eyes.

Vertical is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.vert-ent.com.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is from the producers of JOHN WICK and the fight scenes show that. The storyline, however, is very different. The action doesn’t let up once the flood gates of a bounty are open but it is what is in that mix that brings the level up a notch. Keeping it all basically inside the plane giving fighting in a tight space a whole new look. The characters each put in their own twist on the story and I enjoyed that immensely.

Saying this is an action film seems flimsy because it is an ACTION film with a capital A. It is a pulse pounding, don’t look away, guessing game of where are the problems coming from and who can you trust besides yourself, and runaway fun (if you like chainsaws that is) that calls for a second viewing. That’s the recipe for a great franchise and I’ll be waiting for FIGHT OR FLIGHT: You Aren’t Done Yet sequel!

In the end – don’t forget your boarding pass!