Air Force One is a 1997 American action-thriller film starring Harrison Ford as President James Marshall. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the film is a fictional account of a terrorist hijacking of Air Force One, the President’s personal plane. The film also stars Gary Oldman as Ivan Korshunov, a Russian terrorist who commandeers the plane in an effort to gain the release of his imprisoned comrades.
The movie begins with President Marshall giving a speech on foreign policy in Moscow. As he and his entourage leave, Marshall’s wife and daughter are taken hostage by Korshunov and his group of terrorists. Korshunov’s goal is to force the President to order the release of his comrades from a Russian prison.
En route back to the United States, Air Force One is hijacked and Korshunov takes control of the plane. Marshall, who is on board, refuses to give in to the terrorists’ demands and begins to devise a plan to retake the plane. With the help of some of his Secret Service agents, Marshall is able to disable the hijackers and regain control of the plane.
Meanwhile, the Vice President, Kathryn Bennett, is placed in charge of the situation on the ground. With the help of her staff, she is able to mobilize the United States military to intercept the plane and take back control. The military forces are able to get the plane safely to the ground, but not before Korshunov is able to escape.
With the plane safely on the ground, the President is able to reunite with his family. After thanking those involved in the rescue mission, he orders an investigation into the incident and pays a visit to the family of one of the deceased hijackers. He apologizes for the death of their son and explains that his actions were necessary to protect his country.
The movie ends with the President and his family at a press conference, where he announces that the US will no longer negotiate with terrorists. He explains that the US will not be intimidated and that they will never give in to terror. He also announces the creation of a new anti-terrorism task force, which will work to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Characters
The main character in Air Force One is President James Marshall, played by Harrison Ford. He is a strong, principled leader who will do whatever it takes to protect his country. Gary Oldman plays Ivan Korshunov, the leader of the terrorists who hijacks the plane. Glenn Close plays Vice President Kathryn Bennett, the leader of the US response team. William H. Macy plays Major Caldwell, one of the Secret Service agents who helps the President retake the plane.
Themes and Messages
The movie contains many themes, such as courage, patriotism, and leadership. The President’s refusal to negotiate with terrorists is a strong message about the importance of standing firm against those who seek to inflict terror and violence. The movie also promotes the idea that strength and courage are necessary to protect one’s nation and its people.
Critical Reception
Air Force One was a huge success at the box office, grossing over $315 million worldwide. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film won an Academy Award for Best Sound. It was also nominated for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing. The movie has since become a cult classic and is still popular with many fans of action films.
Conclusion
Air Force One is a thrilling action-packed movie that explores themes of courage, patriotism, and leadership. The movie stars Harrison Ford as President James Marshall, who is determined to protect his nation at all costs. The movie received mostly positive reviews and was a huge success at the box office, grossing over $315 million worldwide. Air Force One is an exciting and entertaining movie that is still popular with many fans of action films.