AIR FORCE ONE: 4K UHD Blu-Ray (Columbia, 1997) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Back in the day when homeland terrorism was not quite so immediately ingrained in the American public’s consciousness, it was fair game and avid film fodder for high-octane thrills on the big screen. Of the lot, Wolfgang Petersen’s Air Force One (1997) emerged above the usual pay-grade as a bare-knuckled thrill ride, capitalizing on yet another variation of the ‘what if’ scenario. Petersen, best known for Das Boot (1981), emerged as one of Hollywood’s most proficient picture-makers with such politically-themed thrillers as In The Line of Fire (1993), and, Outbreak (1995). In preparation for the picture, Petersen and additional crew were allowed aboard the real Air Force One, Petersen later acknowledging that the fictional Deputy Press Secretary Melanie Mitchell (Donna Bullock) was largely based on their real-life tour guide at the time. All exteriors of the Presidential plane were actually a real Boeing 747–146, retooled and repainted. Important to note, the real Air Force One does not include an escape pod for the President as depicted in this movie, as well as several others made at the time.

In its preliminary drafts, Andrew W. Marlowe’s screenplay included a rather lengthy exposition on CIA Special Agent Gibbs’ (Xander Berkeley) motivations in helping to orchestrate this act of terrorism. Although Petersen liked the scene, both he and script doctor, Paul Attanasio agreed, it took too long to explain Gibbs’ Cold War betrayal, thus delaying the plot for no effective reason. It also diffused the suspense behind his involvement in the first act – leaving the latter discovery of his involvement a very moot point. By all considerations, the shooting of Air Force One was a pleasant experience for all; Petersen, greatly amused by Gary Oldman’s ability to slip in and out of character, adopting a humorous backstage persona that had the cast and crew in stitches to lighten the mood between takes. Air Force One stars Harrison Ford as fictional U.S. President James Marshall. After addressing a Russian delegation in Moscow on America’s ‘zero tolerance’ stance toward terrorists, Marshall, the First Lady, Grace (Wendy Crewson) and their young daughter, Alice (Liesel Matthews) board Air Force One for a routine flight back home. Unfortunately for all concerned, the plane is hijacked by militant Russian terrorist, Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) and his brutalizing band of cutthroats who are intent on holding the President, his family, and, members of his cabinet hostage until Vice President Kathryn Bennett (Glenn Close) can negotiate the release of dissident enemy of the state, Gen. Ivan Radek (Jurgen Prochnow).

Double unfortunate for the terrorists - because Marshall refuses to give in. An ‘all out’ war breaks high in the sky as Marshall and his captives struggle to make Korshunov and his men accountable for their actions. Time, however, may not be on anyone’s side. As Air Force One continues to taxi its fuel supply dwindles until the only means of safety for the President and his entourage is to evacuate via parachute. In his best non-Jack Ryan political thriller of the decade, Harrison Ford proved yet again why he was one of the best action heroes of his generation; infused with that special blend of defiance and a thin veneer of vulnerability that made his characters ultimately more human and satisfying. Glenn Close gives fine support from her Briefing Room at the White House. Gary Oldman is a veritable chameleon. Director Peterson is a master at this sort of action/thriller – never allowing the audience to stop and reconsider the improbabilities - like firing a litany of rounds from a semi-automatic rifle without one bullet piercing the plane’s pressurized cabin. Instead, Peterson concentrates and capitalizes on crafting a gritty and gripping thrill ride in claustrophobic quarters. After all, there are only so many places to hide. Yet, not once does the maneuvering between these upper and lower levels become boring, stultifying or dull. In the end, Air Force One is a fairly intelligent actioner that continues – mostly to impress.

Shot in 35mm, 2.40:1 Panavision, Sony Home Video’s new 4K release is a pleasure to view, derived from an original camera negative with rich, enveloping colors, superb contrast, excellent reproduction of film grain, and, a virtual eradication of the minute dirt and debris that somehow escaped the studio’s scrutiny at the time when the standard Blu-ray made its debut. With HDR, black levels are greatly improved, and colors appear more realistic, particularly flesh tones that, on the Blu-ray, were somewhat orange by comparison. SFX that were state-of-the-art in 1997 have, for the most part, held up remarkably well in transitioning to UHD – the one exception – the matte work as various members of the President’s entourage parachute from the plane. Aside: this moment looked fake in 1997, and it looks fake here too. But that is as intended – or rather, always was; overall, a distinct upgrade from the Blu-ray.   Sony affords us a new Dolby Atmos 7.1 adding more ambiance to the rear channels and height speaker to also greatly intensify the action sequences. This is an immersive sound experience, with subtly placed SFX, clear and crisp dialogue, and, center-channel-driven.  Sony affords the 4K disc one extra – Wolfgang Petersen’s old audio commentary from 2009.  We also get the standard Blu-ray, to contain the audio commentary and a brief featurette on the making of the movie, plus a theatrical trailer. Bottom line: Air Force One is quite enjoyable as summer blockbuster fluff, and, this new 4K rendering is definitely the way to go. Buy with confidence. Treasure forever.

FILM RATING (out of 5 – 5 being the best)

4

VIDEO/AUDIO

5+

EXTRAS

1