Passenger 57 (1992)

It's Die Hard on a plane in this action thriller, starring Wesley Snipes as an antiterrorist specialist whose early retirement is interrupted when his flight is overtaken by a bloodthirsty villain (Bruce Payne). Watching this at home is pretty much an excuse to order pizza and kick back, as the familiar rhythms of maverick-cop-versus-international-criminal take over and nothing new or fresh in the formula emerges. The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Hurley (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery) as a gun-wielding, junior terrorist, which is fun simply for being unexpected. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

always bet on black

"Passenger 57" has to be my very favorite Wesley Snipes movie and one of my very favorite action movies ever! I have been a huge fan of this movie ever since I first saw the trailer for it when I went to see Under Siege (another awesome movie.) At the height of this movie's popularity producers capitalized on Wesley's image as a strong leading man with the catchphrase: always bet on black. And that totally describes his role and this movie.

Wesley plays John Cutter, a security expert who quit his job as a cop after his girlfriend was shot. And, Bruce Payne portrays Charles Rane the master-terrorist. Although, I thought Charles Rane was more funny than scary. Whose big idea was it to make the British dude with long blonde hair the villain who tries to go up against Wesley Snipes?

The film also includes some very impressive supporting roles. I especially enjoyed Alex Datcher (doesn't she look just like Halle Berry?) as Marti the tough-talking stewardess. And Elizabeth Hurley was in a somewhat smaller role as Sabrina Ritchie. I loved the part in the beginning when Sabrina says to Marti that she doesn't like her name because "it makes me sound cold and heartless."

IMHO the early to mid-90's were the Golden Age of Suspense/Mystery-Action/Thrillers. There were so many great movies in this genre, during this time. Besides "Passenger 57," I highly recommend these pictures: Single White Female, The Good Son, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Unlawful Entry, The Crush, The Client, Under Siege, Poison Ivy and The Fugitive.

"Passenger 57" is just the perfect showcase for Wesley Snipes because he does it all. He does a little fighting, he jumps off a plane, he does a little shooting and the man's even mistaken for Arsenio!! February 19, 2008

Terrorists on a plane....

1992's "Passenger 57" stars a young Wesley Snipes in an early leading role as an air marshal on a plane hijacked by a deadly terrorist and his gang. The plot, the characters, and the action sequences are adequate if formulaic. This is decent no-brainer entertainment.

Snipes plays John Cutter, an experienced security officer, who is the extra passenger on an airliner hijacked by master terrorist Charles Rane (played with suitable snarl and menace by Bruce Payne). Cutter happens to be in the lavatory when Rane and his thugs (including a young Elizabeth Hurley) seize the plane. Cutter escapes to the cargo compartment, while Rame diverts the plane to an airfield in Lousiana to make his demands.

The plot is somewhat contrived, calling for Cutter to get off the plane to alert the authorities (and deal with skeptical local law enforcement), then get back on the plane to confront the terrorists. Cutter is determined, adaptive, and a first-rate martial artist, supporting an action-packed finish to the movie.

This movie is recommended to Wesley Snipes fans and to those seeking undemanding action entertainment. September 23, 2007

Schnooks on a Plane

Wesley Snipes does DIE HARD (or LETHAL WEAPON sans a partner) in this entertaining but absolutely formulaic action-adventure outing. Another in the genre of the "Lunchpail Superman" movies that have proven so popular, Snipes plays a recently-retired (of course) covert government anti-terrorist agent (of course) who finds his dream vacation of a lifetime (of course) interrupted by A Few Bad Men (of course) who want to take a commercial jetliner bye-bye for foggy reasons of their own (of course). If you've seen the above-referenced films you will recognize PASSENGER 57, which samples the action in them quite freely and unashamedly. That's okay, because the film works well within its own limited expectations.

The surprises in this film are few, but memorable. The yummy Elizabeth Hurley plays one of the terrorists. The action takes place at an airport in rural Louisiana, and, thank the Script Gods, actually portrays the local Sheriff as a racist jerk good ol' boy, not as a redeemed cracker choirboy. He actually calls Snipes "Boy" a few times. That's a lot of "boys" in one sentence, but whoo boy, it's sooooo un-PC that it only makes Snipes' eventual assumption of command over local law enforcement that much better. So, sit back, grab a slice, and pop open a cold one. This is THAT kind of picture. January 21, 2007

Depends on how you look at it

First there was ``Die Hard,'' a thriller about a gritty cop trapped in a skyscraper with a bunch of terrorists, then there was ``Die Hard II,'' which took place at an airport, then there was ``Under Siege,'' which was like Die Hard on a ship, now there's ``Passenger 57'' which is essentially Die Hard on a jet airliner. Hollywood loves to wear a formula to death.

Wesley Snipes (White Men Can't Jump, New Jack City) stars as a top security consultant for airlines who gets mixed up in an airplane hijacking with the most dangerous terrorist in the world.

The terrorist, Charles Rane, well-played by Bruce Payne is very nasty and clever. Snipes is the typical indestructible adversary (he can jump out of a speeding plane without being hurt).

Director Kevin Hooks keeps the energy level high. Writers David Loughery and Dan Gordon keep things interesting, with a lot of action on the ground as well as in the air. All of the minor characters are interesting too. Mark Irwin's photography is very good and the stunts and special effects are excellent.

The film is probably too violent for children, hence the ``R'' rating, but is O.K. for adults who just want some light entertainment. Just don't take it seriously. November 21, 2006

when wesley was a black bruce willi

this is one of my favorite air plane movies of the 90s and i am a big airplane fan i love flying on an airplane looking at the window watching the clouds go by flying in the airplane looking at the window up so very high wesley was one of the top leading action men of the 90s this is almost like a die hard film in the sky the movie goes all over the place the ground, sky, and carnival area this is not ur typical airplane movie folks passenger 57 also has the man who co star on saving private ryan he is not a bad actor it was this pretty airplane lady who wesley fell in love with she reminded him of his wife who passed on this movie was not only action pack but deliever a couple of laughs and cries moments also well wesley snips imo was one of the coolest actors because all the ladies use to like him he even went out with the most beautiful actess at the time and still one of the beautiful actresses of our time halle berry so check this movie out it may help u to enjoy flying on an airplane more jb May 18, 2006

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