Movies

Josh Hartnett saves the riotously violent ‘Fight or Flight’ from crash-landing

BBG News

If you experience any fear of flying, “Fight or Flight” directed by James Madigan might not appeal to you. However, if a low-budget, lighthearted action thriller similar to “Bullet Train” with one of the popular heartthrobs from the Y2K era sounds appealing to you, then this (airport) movie could be just what you’re looking for. The film isn’t particularly profound or offensive, but it has a playful and engaging quality to it, mostly due to Josh Hartnett’s performance. His recent resurgence in the industry has shown that he excels in more comedic roles.

Hartnett, known for his brooding roles in films like “The Faculty” and “The Virgin Suicides,” gained fame in the late ’90s. However, his career has seen a resurgence lately, with performances in movies such as Guy Ritchie’s “Wrath of Man” (as Boy Sweat Dave) and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap.” In “Fight or Flight,” Hartnett appears as if he stepped out of the 2000s, sporting bleached hair and cargo shorts. The only change is that he’s now unrestrained, liberated from those somber constraints: his eyes are wild and often splattered with fake blood reminiscent of strawberry jam.

In essence, “Fight or Flight” wouldn’t be effective without the electrifying central performance by its lead actor, which infuses a dash of madness into the absurd premise that can be summed up as “Assassins on a Plane.” The script, penned by Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona from “Shazam,” is reminiscent of the action genre popularized by the “John Wick” series, which asked: What if there was a price on a hitman’s head? Taking inspiration from this idea, “Fight or Flight” adopts the premise and transports it to a restricted, high-altitude environment. The film employs humor to generate its thrills.

Hartnett portrays a destitute vagabond named Lucas, who finds himself in Bangkok with a hangover, a shiner, and his ex-Katherine (played by Katee Sackhoff) on the phone requesting help. A professional in high-security matters, Lucas is her only remaining choice following an incident where a hacker called Ghost stole billions in cryptocurrency after a terrorist attack. Katherine requires Lucas to join the same flight for the purpose of apprehending Ghost alive, and since he’s the only one she knows currently in the area. As he boards the plane, Lucas is unaware that a bounty on Ghost has been posted across the deep web, making most of the other passengers assassins seeking an effortless payday.

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Consequently, chaos erupts in the skies as Lucas grapples with a band of villains, clouded by substance abuse and alcohol. He embarks on this mission for personal reasons stemming from past experiences that led him to navigate the depths of despair, specifically through excessive drinking in Southeast Asia. Admirable intentions drive him, and when we encounter Ghost, we learn about motivations that are also selfless, though they could be developed more deeply.

The filmmakers prefer to emphasize the exaggerated violence throughout the movie. Hartnett manages to stand out as he navigates through the theater, cargo area, and even the bathroom, utilizing whatever resources are available to him. However, it’s more engaging to observe his facial expressions than his physical actions. His wild eyes and tight smiles create an intense, suspenseful atmosphere. He shares a strong on-screen dynamic with a spirited flight attendant (Charithra Chandran) and encounters each adversary with clenched teeth and a genuine shock whenever he overcomes one. Madigan often employs the technique of playing violent scenes to upbeat, incongruous music — Hartnett brutally attacks and stabs his way through tracks ranging from punk to polka.

Initially, the somewhat absurd “Flight or Flight” film starts off goofy, but then escalates into an incredibly animated, chaotic mess as it progresses. It’s filled with hallucinatory madness, unexpected plot twists, and mind-boggling cliffhangers that feel out of place. The movie is like a Looney Tune with an excessive amount of digital gore. Regrettably, the film squanders any potential charm it might have generated, except it all happens very quickly. Remarkably, Hartnett’s character Lucas remains tolerable, despite the movie disintegrating mid-flight. In essence, the saying “your mileage may vary” with regards to “Fight or Flight” has never been more accurate.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

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2025-05-09 21:02

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