By Adam Mast
It’s tough for me to say, but “Flight Risk” might be the least impressive film from a very talented director. Up until now, Mel Gibson had a perfect track record as a filmmaker with hits like “Braveheart” and “Hacksaw Ridge.” This time, he misses the mark.
The film centers on an Air Marshal, played by Michelle Dockery, and a fugitive, portrayed by Topher Grace. They are flying over Alaska when they discover their pilot, Mark Wahlberg, isn’t really a pilot. Instead, he’s a hitman trying to kill the fugitive before he can testify against a dangerous enemy. What follows is an uninspired cat-and-mouse game above the clouds.
“Flight Risk” feels like a throwback to those forgettable thrillers from the 80s and 90s. It lacks the excitement you’d expect from a good action movie, nor is it amusing enough to be a light-hearted spoof. It ends up being stuck in an awkward middle ground.
This film doesn’t even fall into the “so-bad-it’s-good” category. The poor character choices, strange tone shifts, and predictable plot make it hard to enjoy. And if you prefer a thriller that keeps you guessing, you might want to skip this one.
The acting doesn’t help much either. Dockery tries to deliver an American accent, but her performance lacks depth. Grace seems uninterested, delivering a few jokes without any real engagement. Wahlberg shines the most with a quirky, dark character that adds some life to the film. His campy approach provides a small bit of entertainment amidst the chaos.
It’s surprising that Gibson directed this film. He usually demonstrates a knack for storytelling, especially in his previous works. “Flight Risk” doesn’t showcase that talent at all. If this had been his first film, it might have deterred him from future projects.
It’s hard to tell if the missteps were intentional or simply misguided. I might consider watching this movie again if it’s featured in a comedic format like Mystery Science Theater—emphasis on “might.” Despite this, I still admire Gibson’s work and hope he’ll bounce back with more great films in the future. My hope is that his upcoming projects, especially sequels to “The Passion of the Christ” and “Lethal Weapon,” aren’t dictated by the misfires of “Flight Risk.”
