Flight Risk sounds entertaining on paper, but the execution is a complete mess, with laughable dialogue and actors who feel like they are in totally different movies.
As someone who is a big fan of Mark Wahlberg and Topher Grace, I was actually looking forward to checking out Flight Risk. The trailer teased a bit of fun thanks to the twist that Wahlberg’s character has been sent to silence Grace’s character, a witness who is being flown to a trial for someone who does not want him to make it there.
One would think the result would be a heart-pounding thriller, but it ends up being filled with horrible dialogue and actors who all seem to think they are in different movies, suggesting there was no consistency on set.
Topher Grace Is The Best Part Of Flight Risk… But Still Can’t Save It
Topher Grace is really good at playing the subtle bad guy. We saw him do this in Predators, quite well, so he makes a great pick for Winston in Flight Risk. As shown in the trailer, he is a “character witness”, but the film starts with him living off the grid and being tracked down by an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) so we quickly learn there is more to that story.
The problem with that is we do not get enough of an explanation. Sure, there are some moments of long-winded exposition which give us a glimpse into what he was doing for this man that wants him killed, but many viewers will be left needing more. Still, I found myself sympathizing with him the most. Even though some of the lines Grace was fed are ridiculous and seemed out of character for the role he was playing.
Mark Wahlberg Is Having Fun… But Feels Like He Is In A Different Movie
Easily the most entertaining character of the entire movie is Mark Wahlberg’s. This is simply because the man is having fun. However, just because he is entertaining, doesn’t mean it is in a good way. Wahlberg is all over the place, using several different accents throughout Flight Risk (which is maybe the point?).
The words that come out of his mouth are cringy at best, and downright disgusting more often than not. He is someone audiences are meant to hate, but it is hard to stomach both his lines and his actions. Wahlberg shaved his head for this role, but there are times when the camera comes in close and you can actually see it growing back – and that they used makeup to cover it up. Why not just shave his head again? Or opt to use a bald cap. The poor man went through all that effort for nothing.
His character often has a disconnect with the others, but hey, it is clear he was having a blast playing this strange, twisted, individual.
Overall Thoughts
While there are three main characters, several others appear as voices on the phone. The fact that the pilot who is helping Dockery’s character fly the plane is the most charismatic of everyone involved in this movie, is a very sad fact. Sure, we see the actor for a brief moment, but he is mainly just a voice.
Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk is only ninety minutes long, yet somehow feels much longer. It should be thrilling and exciting, but it is dull and uninspired. I admit, I laughed a few times – mostly in the beginning and always because of a line that Topher Grace delivered.
As the movie goes on, and it thinks it is feeding the audience big, shocking reveals it just gets more and more annoying and difficult to sit through. Much of what is clearly supposed to be a twist is completely obvious. This isn’t even one of those movies that is so bad, it can be an enjoyable watch. It is just.. bad.
After being filled with bad dialogue and half a plot, Flight Risk ends abruptly, without any true resolution to the story, which is extremely frustrating. But, if you want to check it out for yourself, it hits theaters on January 24.
NEXT: Companion Review: An Exploration Of Abusive Relationships
About Flight Risk
In this high-stakes suspense thriller, Academy Award® nominee Mark Wahlberg (2006, Actor in a Supporting Role, The Departed) plays a pilot 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.