The reviews for Mel Gibson’s “Flight Risk” are out and in a word, they’re not good – but also more interesting than expected.
The film sees a pilot (Mark Wahlberg) transporting an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery), accompanying a fugitive (Topher Grace) to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar, and trust is tested as not everyone on board is who they seem.
With 27 reviews counted, the film sits at just 26% (4.6/10) on Rotten Tomatoes and 35/100 on Metacritic. In the latter’s case, it has overtaken “Star Trek: Section 31” (36/100) and “Back in Action” (46/100) to become the worst-rated film of the year thus far.
What’s interesting is that while many “Flight Risk” reviews are outright negative, there’s a handful that have been quite forgiving and even borderline positive – and from some seasoned trade reviewers too. Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“You’ll be shaking your head at the sheer ludicrousness of it all. But it’s a pretty good bet that you haven’t once felt the desire to look at your phone.” – Frank Scheck, THR
“When evaluated as a work of pure craftsmanship, Flight Risk is some of the finest stupidity Hollywood has gifted us in a long time.” – Christian Zilko, Indiewire
“To describe the plot as stupid wouldn’t be inaccurate, exactly. But it’s methodically, even artisanally stupid, built in accordance with the classic thriller rules. Every twist plays fair, no matter how outlandish.” – Robbie Collin, The Daily Telegraph
“There are a few mildly ingenious twists and contrivances, but overall, it’s all cynically functional, hair’s-breadth mid-air escapes and all.” – Jonathan Romney, Financial Times
“Director Mel Gibson delivers is a crude, unimaginative, suspenseless adventure whose tension mostly derives from deciding which of its three main characters will prove the most unlikable by the time it ends.” – Todd Gilchrist, Variety
“It’s difficult to understand what Gibson is trying to achieve here, as he adds little to the effort, missing an opportunity to give this Randall Emmett-style production some real teeth.” – Brian Orndorf, Blu-ray.com
“Flight Risk is a dumb movie, which is not its primary sin. The problem is that it’s not the right kind of dumb — the kind where everyone involved is committed to the innate silliness of what they’re doing.” – Alison Wilmore, Vulture
“Over-writing doesn’t delay Flight Risk’s pace or tension; Wahlberg does. The actor ended up apologizing for his boneheaded 9/11 remarks not long after making them. Maybe one day he’ll apologize for Flight Risk, too.” – Andy Crump, AV Club
“The film is, of course, very silly, but diverting and ingenious, and contains game performances from Wahlberg, Dockery and Grace.” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“Mel Gibson’s risible new movie, “Flight Risk,” takes off with a splash of toilet humour before nosediving into the realm of the ridiculous.” – Peter Howell, Toronto Star
The reviews for “Flight Risk” might not paint a pretty picture, but you can make up your own mind right now as the film’s previews commenced tonight. The movie is expected to top the box office this weekend with a projected haul of $12-15 million.
