Non-Stop

Non-Stop

Rated PG-13 and Released 2/28/14

Reviewed 2/28/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

If you are planning on flying in the near future, maybe wait to see this suspense thriller when you return. Although the premise is ridiculous at times, the terror that occurs on the plane is a little distressful. Liam Neeson plays troubled Air Marshal Bill Marks. Gary and I thought Neeson was convincing and his usual impressive self. He makes up for the lack of realism to make Non-Stop worthwhile.

Shortly after takeoff on a flight from NYC to London, Air Marshal Bill Marks begins to receive some cryptic text messages. The demand is to deposit $150 million in an account, or every 20 minutes someone on the plane will die. Marks consults with the ground control TSA along with the pilots and they all agree - be mindful, it's just a hoax. This does not deter Agent Marks to step into action as he is suspicious of everyone, even another Air Marshal on board.

Even his friend Nancy (Michelle Dockery), one of the flight attendants, is not exempt and either is passenger Jen Summers (Julianne Moore), who before taking off switches seats and ends up beside him to make her a viable suspect. Time ticks away and 20 minutes later chaos ensues. The threat is now real, very real. Hindering the urgent task of solving this while 40,000 feet in the air, and somehow the terrorist has made it look like Agent Bill Marks is behind the plot. This information trickles down through the passengers as they have operating phones and live TV.

So passengers are first with him, then against him, and then toggle back and forth to be divided as additional bizarre deaths are happening amongst them. One of the only funny moments of this film is when Bill Marks runs up and down the aisles offering free international travel for a year as long as everyone cooperates. Now THAT perks the passengers up! While this film is predictable in many aspects, plenty of characters are presented throughout so that it allows the viewer to keep guessing on suspects for some time. Non-Stop is not going to blow anyone away with the storyline, which escalates into absurdity, but...I have to say...I loved every minute of it.

QUIET Rating system: 3Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJj