Watch Turbulence
- R
- 1997
- 1 hr 40 min
-
5.0 (12,841)
Turbulence is a thrilling 1997 action movie directed by Robert Butler and featuring a stellar cast of Ray Liotta, Lauren Holly, Brendan Gleeson, Hector Elizondo, and Rachel Ticotin. The film takes place on a flight from New York to Los Angeles, with the story kicking off as Ryan Weaver (Ray Liotta), a convicted killer, is being escorted onto the plane by a US Marshal.
From the very beginning, there is a sense of tension and turbulence on the flight, not just from the dangerous criminal aboard, but also due to the weather conditions outside. Things only intensify when a terrible storm hits the plane mid-flight, causing it to lurch and shake in the sky.
As Ryan Weaver finds himself suddenly unshackled and able to roam free on the plane, chaos erupts and the other passengers and crew members quickly realize that they are not safe. But it's not just Weaver they need to worry about- there is also an air traffic controller (Brendan Gleeson) on the ground who's had a bad day and might be willing to let the plane go down just to make a point.
Lauren Holly stars as Teri Halloran, a stewardess who tries to keep things under control while also using her wits and resourcefulness to try to stop Weaver and save the other passengers. Hector Elizondo plays Captain Samuel Bowen, the brave pilot who tries his best to guide the plane to safety through the storm.
As the flight progresses and the danger mounts, we see tensions between the characters rise and fall. Ryan Weaver is a complex figure- a ruthless killer who also has a softer side and genuinely regrets some of his actions. Teri Halloran and Captain Bowen are both determined and resourceful professionals who must choose between following the rules and trusting their gut instincts in order to save lives.
Despite the confined setting of the plane, Turbulence is a fast-paced film that never lets up. The tension is palpable from the very beginning and only grows as the stakes become higher and the characters' interactions become more fraught with danger. The storm outside only adds to the sense of claustrophobia and impending doom, and the film's climax is downright heart-stopping.
But while Turbulence is definitely an action movie, it's also a character-driven story with plenty of compelling relationships and motivations. Ray Liotta, in particular, gives a standout performance as Ryan Weaver, bringing a depth and complexity to the character that makes him much more than just a cookie-cutter villain. Teri Halloran and Captain Bowen are also well-drawn characters who we genuinely care about by the end of the film.
So if you're looking for a thrilling, high-stakes action movie with a great cast and plenty of heart, Turbulence is definitely worth checking out. It's a wild ride that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Turbulence is a 1997 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.