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Critical Decision

Original title: Executive Decision
  • 1996
  • 16
  • 2h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
61K
YOUR RATING
Critical Decision (1996)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Bros. Pictures
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
99+ Photos
ActionAdventureThriller

When terrorists seize control of an airliner, an intelligence analyst accompanies a commando unit for a midair boarding operation.When terrorists seize control of an airliner, an intelligence analyst accompanies a commando unit for a midair boarding operation.When terrorists seize control of an airliner, an intelligence analyst accompanies a commando unit for a midair boarding operation.

  • Director
    • Stuart Baird
  • Writers
    • Jim Thomas
    • John Thomas
  • Stars
    • Kurt Russell
    • Halle Berry
    • John Leguizamo
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    61K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stuart Baird
    • Writers
      • Jim Thomas
      • John Thomas
    • Stars
      • Kurt Russell
      • Halle Berry
      • John Leguizamo
    • 208User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Executive Decision
    Trailer 2:19
    Watch Executive Decision

    Photos109

    Halle Berry at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Halle Berry at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Larry King and Shawn Ora Engemann at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Kurt Russell at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, and Wyatt Russell at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Steven Seagal and Halle Berry at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Steven Seagal at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Elizabeth Berkley at an event for Critical Decision (1996)
    Steven Seagal and Kurt Russell in Critical Decision (1996)
    Kurt Russell in Critical Decision (1996)
    Ray Baker and Michael Milhoan in Critical Decision (1996)
    David Suchet in Critical Decision (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kurt Russell
    Kurt Russell
    • David Grant
    Halle Berry
    Halle Berry
    • Jean
    John Leguizamo
    John Leguizamo
    • Capt. Carlos 'Rat' Lopez
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Dennis Cahill
    Joe Morton
    Joe Morton
    • Sgt. Campbell 'Cappy' Matheny
    David Suchet
    David Suchet
    • Nagi Hassan
    Steven Seagal
    Steven Seagal
    • Lt. Col. Austin Travis
    BD Wong
    BD Wong
    • Sgt. Louie Jung
    • (as B. D. Wong)
    Len Cariou
    Len Cariou
    • Secretary of Defense Charles White
    Whip Hubley
    Whip Hubley
    • Sgt. Michael Baker
    Andreas Katsulas
    Andreas Katsulas
    • El-Sayed Jaffa
    Mary Ellen Trainor
    Mary Ellen Trainor
    • Allison
    Marla Maples
    Marla Maples
    • Nancy
    • (as Marla Maples Trump)
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Senator Jason Mavros
    Ingo Neuhaus
    Ingo Neuhaus
    • Doc
    William James Jones
    • Catman
    Paul Collins
    • Nelson
    Nicholas Pryor
    Nicholas Pryor
    • Secretary of State Jack Douglas
    • Director
      • Stuart Baird
    • Writers
      • Jim Thomas
      • John Thomas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to John Leguizamo in his autobiography, Steven Seagal physically attacked him during filming, in an effort to scare the cast and crew. Leguizamo claimed that during rehearsals, Seagal had come in and told the cast that "I'm in command. What I say is law." Thinking it was a joke, Leguizamo started to laugh, but Seagal proved him wrong by slamming him against a brick wall with an aikido elbow, knocking all the air out of him and dropping him to the ground. In 2022, Leguizamo confirmed that he "did not have a good time with Steven Seagal. No one has." According to the Observer, Seagal threatened to attack Leguizamo if they ever crossed paths on the Red Carpet after learning Leguizamo had mocked Seagal on his comedy show, "Ghetto Klown." However, Leguizamo wasn't threatened and said of Seagal, "I don't think he's invited to a lot of red carpets."
    • Goofs
      Armed federal air marshals aren't listed as such on passenger manifests, since their modus operandi (and the extent to which they are used on commercial airplanes) is classified.
    • Quotes

      Rat: I hope there's a good movie on this flight.

    • Alternate versions
      The German theatrical, video and DVD version has the same cuts as the UK version. Apart from that, all Arabian language has been dubbed into German, whereby all references to Islam and Allah were replaced by more harmless lines.
    • Connections
      Edited into Diagnosis Murder: Murder in the Air (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      It's Nice to Go Trav'ling
      Written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen (as James Van Heusen)

      Performed by Frank Sinatra

      Courtesy of Capitol Records, under licence from CEMA Special Markets

    User reviews208

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    one word: dynamite!
    Slam-bang thriller is an intense, pulse-pounding thrill ride from beginning to end. Russell stars as a smart but inexperienced intelligence analyst who's given the task of a lifetime when he, along with a group of rugged Special Forces commandos, must board an American 747 in midair after it's hijacked by ruthless international terrorists. It's a race against time as they must not only ensure the safety of all the passengers, but retake the plane before it can reach the U.S. eastern seaboard. Swift direction, exciting, skillful action sequences, endless suspense, and rock solid performances make this wild ride of a movie a definite must for action fans. ***
    helpful•50
    19
    • Special-K88
    • Apr 12, 2002

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Executive Decision?Powered by Alexa
    • What is Executive Decision about?
    • What are the differences between the British BBFC 15 version and the uncut version?
    • So what happens to the pilot of the Stealth plane after he ejects?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 25, 1996 (Netherlands)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Executive Decision
    • Filming locations
      • Alverno High School - 200 North Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, California, USA(Chechen Mafia House)
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Silver Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $55,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,569,216
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,069,780
      • Mar 17, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $121,969,216
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 13 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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