Rating: 
Summary: Great action thriller
Review: Kurt Russell stars as a suit-and-tie Intelligence analyst who ends up leading a crack Special Ops unit in the rescue of a hijacked US passenger plane which coincidentally has a bomb onboard. They have until US airspace to defuse the bomb--or the US will have no choice but to blow the plane up. The action's fast and the humor in places is politically irreverent. This is definitely one to own and watch again and again.
Rating:
Summary: A Solid Action Thriller
Review: Though director Stuart Baird helped mangle the "Star Trek" franchise with the last "Next Generation" movie outting, his "Executive Decision" deserves a look by fans of the action genre. Kurt Russell plays a Jack Ryan-like intelligence operative swept into a covert assault on a hijacked airliner. Along for the ride are a crack team of commandos, played by such familiar faces as B.D. Wong, John Leguizamo, and Joe Morton, that tries to defuse a nerve gas bomb and rescue a plethora of hostages, including Halle Berry as a sympathetic flight attendant. Despite its similarities to "Die Hard" and "Air Force One" (and, eerily, some of the 9/11 goings-on), "Executive Decision" manages to establish itself as a unique effort through a combination of humanized characters and a plot that keeps ratcheting up the stakes. The movie is even gutsy enough to kill off Steven Seagal's character, who gets a nice John Wayne moment that is more salutory than most of his onscreen efforts. Fans of the "Poirot" mysteries may be surprised to see David Suchet as the villain here, but he deserves special note for taking a one-dimensional figure and giving him both menace and intelligence. Jerry Goldsmith provides a strong score, and though some airplane model work, especially at the end, is rather obvious, the film's production overall is suitably believable.
Rating: 
Summary: Non-stop action drives this popcorn movie
Review: In "Executive Decision", Kurt Russell stars as a reluctant hero who is charged with saving the country from a airborne terrorist attack on the US that would have unbelievable consequences on the country. Co-starring are Steven Seagal as Col. Austin Travis, the leader of a group of Army Rangers who provide Russell with the backup that he needs during the movie. Halle Berry (before she really became HALLE BERRY) stars as the brave airline attendant, Jean, who provides the Rangers and Russell with help during their counterattack.
The plot revolves around a terrorist group's reaction to the capture of their leader in the Mideast. Their response to the arrest is to take over control of an American airliner and hold the passengers for ransom. Or is that really their plan? Rather than provide the viewer with too many plot details, let me suffice to say that a significant plot twist occurs during the first third of the film that changes the pacing and interest level of the film dramatically.
Viewers who enjoy Kurt Russell's action movies and any of the "Die Hard"/"Lethal Weapon" genre' of films will certainly enjoy "Executive Decision". The action is pretty much non-stop and will keep many viewers on the edge of their seats.
Rating:
Summary: Kurt Russell at his action-hero best
Review: Okay, it's Die-Hard-on-an-airplane the way _Speed_ is Die-Hard-on-a-bus, _Under Siege_ is Die-Hard-on-a-battleship, and _The Rock_ is Die-Hard-at-Alcatraz. But it's a fine action flick and it beats the heck out of _Air Force One_.
I like Kurt Russell; to my mind he's never gotten the credit he deserves as an actor. And if (like me) you're not a big Steven Seagal fan, you'll be gratified to learn (about half an hour into the film) that he's _not_ the hero of the story.
This film probably couldn't have been made today. In the post-9/11 world, every moviemaker is carefully shying away from the 'Arab terrorist' stereotype; the screen adaptation of Tom Clancy's _The Sum of All Fears_ substituted neo-Nazis, and even the Gubernator took the safe route (using Columbian drug lords in _Collateral Damage_). But in fact, this script does a pretty good job of making clear that the head terrorist (David Suchet) is a loon who doesn't represent even the views of his collaborators, let alone those of the larger Arab/Muslim world.
Anyway, if you like a good action-suspense yarn, you'll like this one. Sure, parts of it are implausible, but less so than in lots of other good action films. And Russell makes an excellent hero.
Rating:
Summary: Executive Sweet
Review: The formula that made the action/adventure film genre come back with a roar in movies like Die Hard and Speed is given another try in Executive Decision. The end result is a formulaic but still exciting movie that marked the start of a directing career.
A flight en route to Washington, D.C. is hijacked by terrorists, who demand $50 million and their leader's release. To show that they mean business, the terrorists, led by Nagi Hassan (David Suchet) have smuggled enough nerve gas onboard to wipe out half of the U.S. The government must now make a tough decision as to whether to shoot down the plane and sacrifice the lives of the passengers, for the sake and safety of America. Meanwhile, an elite task force is sent into action, headed by no-nonsense tough guy Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) and including intelligence analyst David Grant (Kurt Russell). They attempt to sneak onto the plane in mid flight, using an experimental aircraft that attaches to the bottom of the jetliner. However, when things don't go as planned, it's up to Grant to find a way to stop the terrorists from implementing their horrific plans. Grant turns to Jean (Halle Berry), a gutsy flight attendant, for help.
I remember seeing the film during its initial theatrical release in 1996 and liking it overall. Due to the similarities of the plot, to the real life horrors of September 11th 2001, I must admit my positive vibe for the film was tempered a bit this time. While not the fault of the filmmakers for art imitating reality, I mention this to let first time viewers know how I felt seeing it again, post 9/11. Director Stuart Baird's first film benefits from Russell, Berry, and a solid supporting cast. This helps to forgive a faulty script by Predator scribes Jim & John Thomas. Suchet makes a great antogonist, while action film veteran Joe Morton as Sgt. Matheny appears. Oliver Platt as Cahill and funny man John Leguizamo as Captain Rat gives us a few moments of comic relief thankfully. I never really liked Seagall so his role could have been filled by anyone. The action is well put together as Baird's days as a film editor served him well. Script issues aside, the film works as a worthwhile actioner.
The DVD lacks any substantial extras. Production notes, cast biographies and filmographies are all you get. Viewers can choose to watch the movie in either widescreen or full frame formats. I would welcome a special edition at some point down the line...
The cast and solid action saves Executive Decision from what was a predictable script at times.
Rating:
Summary: Good Action Flick! Nice Boeing 747 Images!
Review: 1996's "Executive Decision" ends much the same way several other air disaster films have concluded. The proverbial "somebody-other-than-the-pilot-must-land-the-plane" scenario is on hand here....this time with Kurt Russell at the controls of a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. Kurt doesn't win the safe-drivers' award for the year, but he does manage to skid the Jumbo to safety. But I liked the earlier scenes aboard the jet even better than the exciting ending. There is more than enough high-flying action sequences to keep your heart racing throughout this film's entire length of 133 minutes. I'm hoping there will be a sequel some day. A good title for that one would be -- "Another Executive Decision". :)
Did You Know? ...... That the Boeing 747 used in the ground shots for the film "Executive Decision" was the 332nd B747 ever to roll off the assembly line at Everett, Washington (USA)? It's a Boeing 747-200B Combi. Its "c/n" (construction number) is #21541. The big four-engined bird first flew on July 17, 1978, and was first operated by Kuwait Airways.
This 2-sided DVD was originally released by Warner Home Video in September 1997, which was a year and a half after the film debuted in movie theaters (it premiered on March 15, 1996). One side of the disc contains an attractive 2.35:1 Widescreen (Anamorphic) version; while a horribly-butchered Pan-&-Scan, Full-Frame (1.33:1) version that nobody on the right side on senility would ever watch in a million years (unless being ordered to do so by foreign terrorists) resides on the opposite side. Needless to say, the Widescreen side is the only one worth watching here. :)
Audio booms out nicely via the DVD's Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack. No special features are included here, other than some text notes.
"Executive Decision" is kind of a "guilty pleasure" type of a flick. It's pretty much way over the edge on the "realistic" scale, but fun nonetheless. And the characters are all likeable and well-drawn.
Rating:
Summary: Excecutive Decision (1996)
Review: Director: Stuart Baird
Cast: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, Len Cariou, B.D. Wong, Marla Maples Trump.
Running Time: 135 minutes.
Rated R for violence and language.Although it is a formula that has been used time and time again, "Excecutive Decision" succeeds just as well, if not better, than the "hostage-takes-over-plane-so-action-hero-has-to-come-to-rescue" genre predecessors because of wonderful performances, an in-depth and enjoyable script, and top-tier direction from rookie Baird. Very simliar to 1992's "Passenger 57" staring Wesley Snipes, but with more emphasis on the supporting cast instead of one central star. Kurt Russell stars as a United States government expert on Middle East terrorism who finds himself out of his office and on a die-or-die mission with gung ho commando Steven Seagal and Co. when an American airliner is taken hostage while in midair. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), Seagal is killed about a half an hour into the film, allowing Russell to take full command of the film. With the help from gorgeous flight attendant Halle Berry, Russell is able to learn about the situation and guide his great supporting players John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, and Joe Morton as to how they need to approach the dangerous situation. If there is one major drawback of the film, it is that "Executive Decision" is fairly fairfetched and predictable at the same time--the anti-terrorist crew actually gets onto the plane while it is in the air and without the terrorists knowing--come on! But despite some of its logical fallouts, it is a film that makes up for it with a superb lead role, fine performances from Platt as a brainiac and Leguizamo as a rough-and-tough go-getter, and a gut-wrenching, thrill-ride (literally) of a finale. A nice directorial debut. One of the better action films of the mid 1990's and is on par with other plane thrillers such as "Con Air".
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