This was the film that cemented Nicolas Cage’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most unlikely action heroes.
Cage is Cameron Poe, an ex-Army Ranger jailed for a murder he committed in self-defence, whose release is interrupted when his flight home on the “Jailbird” (a convict transport plane) is hijacked by a bunch of America’s most dangerous felons.
His impossibly cool macho posturing is irresistible, as is John Malkovich’s sneering, tongue-in-cheek turn as super-criminal Cyrus “the Virus” Grissom.
John Cusack and Ving Rhames lend snappy support, while Steve Buscemi steals nearly every scene he is in with an inspired Hannibal Lecter pastiche.
Armed with an entertaining script by Scott Rosenberg, director Simon West delivered a dynamic debut that’s nearly impossible to dislike. The public certainly found it a winning formula – it went on to take more than $200 million around the world.
Cameron Poe
Nicolas Cage Vince Larkin
John Cusack Cyrus “the Virus” Grissom
John Malkovich Garland Greene
Steve Buscemi Diamond Dog
Ving Rhames Duncan Malloy
Colm Meaney Baby-O
Mykelti Williamson Sally Bishop
Rachel Ticotin Tricia Poe
Monica Potter Pinball
Dave Chappelle Swamp Thing
M C Gainey Billy Bedlam
Nick Chinlund Conrad
Brendan Kelly Johnny 23
Danny Trejo Sally Can’t Dance
Renoly Santiago Francisco Cindino
Jesse Borrego
Director
Simon West
Video
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