This is by far one of those suspense thrillers that I found somewhat lackluster. It begins with the setup being that of saving someone. The writing appears to be in scribbles as this film dilly dallies into the sky with much mayhem. There are politics and corruption involved, but that aspect has poor writing as well. Fight or Flight is a title that got me thinking of the phrase “like or dislike”—altogether I am neutral (but something in the back of my mind wants to despise this movie).
The selling point is Josh Hartnett. It is like he is a new Liam Neeson type actor of interest for suspense films. This is because he just did Trap, a film where he is an enemy in a concert. Now, in Fight or Flight, he is a mercenary on a plane. Both of these roles have similarities. The biggest one of them is that they are a blur, glorifying sinisterism without meaning.
Hartnett plays Lucas Reyes, an operative who has done covert missions. He has lived off the grid and developed many bad habits, however, he has a chance for redemption. He is hired byKatherine Brunt (played by Katee Sackhoff), to track down an unidentified and threatening target. For Lucas this is one of those missions that he feels is an entrapment and it truly is. He arranges to get on a flight for this mission and the plane ride is where all the unveiling moments show their true colors.
The dynamic is very off-putting, as the film rushes its patterns by throwing characters into the mix with a lack of a background.Lucas meets Isha (played by Charithra Chandran). She is on the plane for the same purpose. With the threat lingering on the plane, Fight or Flight turns into an onboard death match which keeps the poor writing and continuity to the lowest level possible. Its violence aims to be like the Netflix series Squid Game. The combat had me sold, but the reasons behind it all happening…not so much.
When there is suspense on a plane, I tend to want more emphasis on understanding what I am getting into. Fight or Flight did not start with any of that, it just threw in the tangential elements instantly. Leaving the rails of the main storyline whichwas that there is a threat aboard. Instead of developing what the problem is, the rollercoaster of violence kept going on a tirade. So much so that just lacked a sense of meaning. However, the violence did speak to the film’s title.
One of the most rushed and quality-lacking airport thrillers I have seen. It is hard to see the positive in Fight or Flight, as overall I just felt that the context failed to captivate me. Unfortunately, it will be one of those films that is all based on its viewership. Others may be sold by its concept, but some may not. I was one of those that kept rattling my head and wishing for better. One out of four stars for Fight or Flight.
Movies with Tarek 