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Con Air

  • 1997
  • R
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
308K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,205
1
Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, and Ving Rhames in Con Air (1997)
hv pre
Play trailer2:27
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionCrimeThriller

Newly-paroled ex-con and former U.S. Ranger Cameron Poe finds himself trapped in a prisoner-transport plane when the passengers seize control.Newly-paroled ex-con and former U.S. Ranger Cameron Poe finds himself trapped in a prisoner-transport plane when the passengers seize control.Newly-paroled ex-con and former U.S. Ranger Cameron Poe finds himself trapped in a prisoner-transport plane when the passengers seize control.

  • Director
    • Simon West
  • Writer
    • Scott Rosenberg
  • Stars
    • Nicolas Cage
    • John Cusack
    • John Malkovich
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    308K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,205
    1
    • Director
      • Simon West
    • Writer
      • Scott Rosenberg
    • Stars
      • Nicolas Cage
      • John Cusack
      • John Malkovich
    • 472User reviews
    • 138Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 7 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos2

    Con Air
    Trailer 2:27
    Watch Con Air
    So '90s It Hurts: 'Con Air'
    Video 1:37
    Watch So '90s It Hurts: 'Con Air'

    Photos241

    Nicolas Cage and Thomas Rosales Jr. in Con Air (1997)
    Nicolas Cage in Con Air (1997)
    Nicolas Cage and Mykelti Williamson in Con Air (1997)
    Nicolas Cage in Con Air (1997)
    Nicolas Cage and Steve Eastin in Con Air (1997)
    Steve Buscemi in Con Air (1997)
    Ving Rhames in Con Air (1997)
    Danny Trejo in Con Air (1997)
    Rachel Ticotin in Con Air (1997)
    Colm Meaney in Con Air (1997)
    Monica Potter in Con Air (1997)
    Nicolas Cage in Con Air (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nicolas Cage
    Nicolas Cage
    • Cameron Poe
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Agent Vince Larkin
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom
    Colm Meaney
    Colm Meaney
    • Agent Duncan Malloy
    Mykelti Williamson
    Mykelti Williamson
    • 'Baby-O' O'Dell
    Nick Chinlund
    Nick Chinlund
    • William 'Billy Bedlam' Bedford
    Renoly Santiago
    Renoly Santiago
    • Sally-Can't Dance
    • (as Renoly)
    Ving Rhames
    Ving Rhames
    • Nathan 'Diamond Dog' Jones
    Dave Chappelle
    Dave Chappelle
    • 'Pinball' Parker
    Rachel Ticotin
    Rachel Ticotin
    • Guard Sally Bishop
    Steve Eastin
    Steve Eastin
    • Guard Falzon
    Steve Buscemi
    Steve Buscemi
    • Garland Greene - 'The Marietta Mangler'
    Danny Trejo
    Danny Trejo
    • Johnny-23
    M.C. Gainey
    M.C. Gainey
    • Swamp Thing
    Landry Allbright
    Landry Allbright
    • Casey Poe
    Monica Potter
    Monica Potter
    • Tricia Poe
    Brendan Kelly
    Brendan Kelly
    • Conrad
    Jesse Borrego
    Jesse Borrego
    • Francisco Cindino
    • Director
      • Simon West
    • Writer
      • Scott Rosenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Malkovich was unhappy during production because the script was being rewritten virtually every day and he had no idea how his character was going to turn out.
    • Goofs
      (at around 5 mins) The judge that sentences Poe claims that Poe does not have the same right of defense because he is combat trained. While it is a common myth that people trained in combat, such as soldiers, martial artists, and boxers, have to register themselves as dangerous weapons, this is completely untrue. All people are held to the same standard regarding self defense, regardless of their combat training.
    • Quotes

      Cameron Poe: [to Billy] Put... the bunny... back... in the box.

    • Alternate versions
      In the Finnish DVD version the death of Cyrus is slightly edited. The scene cuts away right before the rock-smashing weight hits his head.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Con Air/Bliss/Buddy/The Pillow Book/The Quiet Room (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      How Do I Live
      Written by Diane Warren

      Performed by Trisha Yearwood

      Courtesy of MCA Nashville, a division of MCA Records, Inc.

    User reviews472

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Entertaining for the most part but also ridiculous at times
    "Con Air" is a typical Jerry Bruckheimer production of the mid to late 90's, more or less along the same lines as "The Rock" & "Armageddon". Featuring undemanding action executed by a nicely assembled cast, it's the type of movie that's designed for popcorn munching enjoyment rather than garnering prestigious awards. While that approach can often lead to a fairly hollow & trivial experience, in this case the unique premise sets "Con Air" apart from countless other routine action flicks.

    The story revolves around a flight containing some of the nation's most notorious criminals who are on their way to a new maximum security detention center. Little do the authorities know that they've plotted to take over the plane and use it to transport themselves to freedom. Luckily for the good guys, a recent parolee who just happens to be a highly decorated Army Ranger is also on board and he's not too keen on letting these guys have their way.

    The premise may be fairly high concept but it's an intriguing one. I'd have to say that screenwriter Scott Rosenberg put together a pretty clever plot, even though the last act goes all out in terms of action and, as a result, strays into ludicrousness. There's also quite a bit of memorable dialogue, which is helped immensely by the excellent cast. Nicolas Cage & John Cusack are better than average as the good guys but in my opinion it's the bad guys who really stand out. John Malkovich is always worth watching and here he gives perhaps the movie's best performance as the main villain, Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom. His criminal brethren include the likes of Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo, Steve Buscemi, Dave Chappelle & M.C. Gainey. That's an impressive group in and of itself and it's supplemented by a few other standouts like Colm Meaney & Mykelti Williamson.

    The movie's production values are up to snuff as well, which is no surprise considering that this was a summer blockbuster. The movie garnered an Oscar nomination for its sound along with one for the original song "How Do I Live" by Trisha Yearwood. In general, the movie shows the trademark quality of a Jerry Bruckheimer production.

    Overall, I think that the movie delivers the goods for most of its running time but I find that the extended finale goes a bit too over the top. I can understand why they'd want to go out with a bang but I found the earlier stages to be more intricately plotted than a typical action movie and, as a result, more rewarding. In any case, the movie is worth watching for having a pretty nifty premise along with some entertaining performances from a nicely assembled cast.
    helpful•18
    6
    • sme_no_densetsu
    • May 10, 2018

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    FAQ5

    • How did Cameron get such a harsh sentence for self-defense?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 6, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Không Tặc
    • Filming locations
      • Ogden Airport - 3909 Airport Road, Ogden, Utah, USA(exchange of prisoners: Garland 'The Marietta Mangler' Greene gets on the plane at Carson City, Nevada)
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Jerry Bruckheimer Films
      • Kouf/Bigelow Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $75,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $101,117,573
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $24,131,738
      • Jun 8, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $224,012,234
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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