12 - The Michigan Daily- Wednesday, June 18, 1997 Cage, Malkovich revitalize action .;j' - genre in runaway hit 'Con Air' po By Julia Shih from its first moment and doesn't let Daily Arts Writer up until the very end. Throughout the Summer just heated up with the entire movie, an aura of danger perme- release of the sizzling blockbuster, ates the air as Poe is surrounded by "Con Air." If you thought last year's dozens of hardened criminals who "The Rock" was good, get ready to be wouldn't think twice about massacre- blown away by one of the biggest, bad- ing everyone on board. Audiences will dest and most exhilarating thrillers to be captivated by the prisoners' brutal hit the movie screen in a long time. takeover, and by Poe's efforts to save This awesome movie brings together the lives of the innocent people on an all-star ensemble cast under famed board while bringing the plane down. producer Jerry The humorous Bruckheimer aspects of "Con ("The Rock" and R E V I E W Air" also make it "Top Gun"). . different from Nicolas Cage, John COn Air your average Malkovich, Ving (P *** blow- 'em-up Rhames and Steve at showcase action thriller. Buscemi duke it Many times, the out with much at movie seems to be stake aboard a large plane set for spoofing the other films of its genre. In destruction. one scene, the plane comes crashing Cage is Cameron Poe, a recent down on the Las Vegas strip, causing parolee hitching a ride aboard a prison- enormous amounts of destruction, er transport flight. After serving nearly much like the devastation in a decade in prison for unintentionally "Independence Day." And perhaps the killing a man while defending his wife, most hilarious scene in the movie Poe is anxious to return home and see involves a great shot of a car tethered his wife and daughter. to the back of the plane as it takes off. But also aboard this plane are some Much like the flying cow in last sum- of the most dangerous and notorious mer's hit, "Twister," the spectacle of the criminals in the country. When Poe gracefully floating car trailing the suddenly finds himself in the middle of plane looks so ridiculous that even a mid-air skyjacking masterminded by Cage's character can't help quipping, Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom "On any other day, that would seem (Malkovich), he attempts to avert the strange." takeover with help on the ground from Director Simon West worked closely U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John with Bruckheimer and writer Scott Cusack). Rosenberg to create some of the witti- "Con Air" is filled with nonstop est dialogue to appear in an action action and destruction that'll give you flick. The dialogue is a definite high- one of the most thrilling rides of your light in this film, especially as spoken life. About two-thirds of the movie by Cage, who is an expert at deadpan- involves some form of blood splurting, ning hilarious lines. Only in scenes bones breaking, buildings on fire or done with skill can a hero, during a something large being spectacularly tense and suspenseful moment, seri- blown up. All of the ultra-violent fight ously threaten a murderous bad guy scenes and loud explosions will defi- with the line, "Put the bunny back in nitely please action fans. the box." The movie begins building suspense Nicolas Cage has established him- self as a competent action star who could give Schwarzenegger and Van Damme a run for their money. He brings his talent for comedic and dra- matic acting to his role as an action hero, making his character more than one-dimensional. Steven Seagal shoo take note. John Cusack looks to be a welcomed newcomer to this genre, after showing his proficiency at shoot-out scenes in "Grosse Pointe Blank." He plays the intellectual hero who isn't afraid of dodging bullets and getting dirty amidst the explosions. Cusack's perfor- mance is riveting and fun to watch, as he charmingly threatens to. steal the spotlight from Cage. Neverthele Cusack and Cage make a good tet, especially near the climax of the movie when they ride off together like Batman and Robin (minus the capes), in pursuit of the bad guys. Malkovich, as always, does an excel- lent job playing the creepy villain, and even Steve Buscemi can send chills down your spine with a mere glance. Ving Rhames, though labeled in the movie as a mass-murdering vigila is too pleasant in this film to be effective antagonist. Some aspects of "Con Air" seem excessive or unnecessary, such as a few of the explosions near the movie's con- clusion, as well as the effeminate crim- inal who spends most of the movie in a dress and ends up getting bitch-slapped by Poe. But overall, "Con Air" is a neat little package that packs one hell of a punch. "Con Air" is not this year's "$ Rock." In fact, compared to this movie, "The Rock" feels about as exciting as watching a few hours of The Weather Channel. The spectacular special effects and talented set of actors in "Con Air" make it one of the most exhilarating and entertaining movies to come out this summer. This is definite- ly a film not to be missed. Center for EMSE EDUAIO ATTENTION MICHIGAN DAILY ADVERTISERS AND READERS: The Michigan Daily will not be published next week, YELLON June25, due to the break between semesters. The Daily will resume July2 and can be picked up at * CerceNo r 41 any one of these convenient drop spots: Student Publications Building The Michigan Union The Undergraduate Library a Largest'and newest fleet Angell Hall The Graduate Library Mason Hal MLB =4 can share the fr Mason Hall MLB - Pierpont Commons The Chem Building service to metro airport EECS CC Little East Engineering N. Campus/CC Little bus stop drop box 0-Night Ride servic e 6633 The Frieze Building Fifth and Liberty drop box The Dennison Building The Medical School Hour Taxi Serv c The LS&A Building N. University drop box The Business School Church St. drop box See you in two weeks!!