Flight of the Phoenix (2004)

Plot; The survivors of a plane crash must overcome their differences if they're rebuild their plane and escape their Hellish circumstances.I've never seen the original, which certainly has a better pedigree and reputation than this lightly regarded remake. The pieces are all here for the combination of tense drama and survival adventure the story promises, but in the hands of a less than accomplished director like John Moore (Max Payne, Die Hard w/a Vengeance), it too often falls flat despite the solid and game cast. Dennis "When they can't get Harrison Ford" Quaid heads an above board cast that includes Miranda Otto, Tyreese Gibson, Hugh Laurie and Giovanni Rabisi, the latter of whom steals the film as the weirdly enigmatic brains behind the plan they desperately cling to. The original is more highly regarded for sure, though as I said, I've never seen it. But if you're looking for a better executed new millennium film about survival adventure, I suggest The Grey starring Liam Neeson as this watchable but unremarkable remake never takes flight.

Sure it has Dennis Quaid (The Big Easy), Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan), Tyrese Gibson (Four Brothers), and Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), but it also had Hugh Laurie from House. That's enough to get me to watch, no matter what. No, Quaid is not better that Jimmy Stewart was in the 1965 version, but he still sizzles. Ribisi, with his Nazi undertones, really adds to the pic.It is an inadequate remake, but it has Hugh Laurie. Two things that puzzle me: How come no one gets a sunburn working in the desert without a shirt, and how come Otto doesn't hook up with one of these shirtless hunks - especially Hugh Laurie.

This film is definitely 'good' - there aren't really any major things wrong with it other than the usual; "that's not believable" or "that's not what normal people do in that situation".Having said that, there are a couple of satisfying moments where people do take the action you want them to take.The opening scene of the crash (no spoilers as that is given in every tag line for the film!) is simply superb. I have honestly never seen a more realistic plane crash on film and I have seen a shocking amount of films.Some reviews have commented on the lack of action... well... they crashed in a desert... it's not as though there are going to be car chases and helicopter shoot-outs! Despite the surroundings, the story moves along at a good pace and there are some nice surprises.It is pointless being annoyed at the script / ending as this is a remake and does exactly what the original did.Overall, a good film and worth watching.7/10

I'm not one of those snobby reviewers who will automatically dismiss a remake as inferior to an original. In rare cases I actually like a remake over the original. I honestly preferred The Birdcage over La Cage aux Folles and consider the new True Grit a superior example of movie-making when evaluated alongside the John Wayne original. Sadly, this new version of Flight of the Phoenix is in pitiful territory. It is a shallow and all too typical Hollywood flick falling far short when compared to the Robert Aldrich Oscar nominated original. For the life of me I cannot figure out why it was even made. Was 20th Century Fox really that desperate for money? So.... My advice is, don't bother with this poser of a movie. It is chock full of Hollywood silliness and strained dialogue. Instead get the original 1965 version and watch great actors like Jimmy Stewart, Richard Attenborugh, Peter Finch, Ernest Borgnine and George Kennedy embark on a journey of great story telling. You will not be disappointed.