PASSENGER 57 (1992)

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Bruce Payne, Tom Sizemore, Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Hurley

Directed by: Kevin Hooks
Story By: Dan Gordon & Stewart Raffill
Written By: Dan Gordon & David Loughery
Director Of Photography: Mark Irwin
Edited By: Richard Nord


Remember the gold old days when Wesley snipes could still get a movie released in theaters? I do

I remember seeing this in theaters it was one of those days I didn't expect to go on a movie and just decided to go with a friend on a whim with short notice so we ran to see this film and I at least was pleasently surprised because I thought it would be corny. I will be the first to admit I am not the biggest action film fan I don't hate them hey are just not my favorite genre of movie.

This film is sort of like die hard with not so original villians and more hand to hand combat instead of guns and explosives. You still have the terrorists in one location trying to find the one hero who is taking them out one by one. This film is quite enjoyable in it's popcorn way. You have the security consultant hero who is haunted by his wife's death that he couldn't stop. It even has a young Elizabeth hurley in one of her first acting roles before all of a sudden becoming a international supermodel. There truly is not that much to say about this film it moves fast is entertaining. There are no real surprises there are moments of inspired comedy. One person you might suspect is a villain turns out not to be and then after we are off the center of all the action a plane we get more ground action sequences and stunts in a amusement park and on a airport runway there is a little racial humor since our hero is one of the lone minorities against an all white terrorist movement.

It's interesting that this movie was once offered to sylester stallone he was the first choice but by giving the movie to wesley snipes the filmmakers were genius as he adds more flavor and charisma to the film then i feel stallone would hae brung. With him this film would have been a standard forgettable action film, but with snipes it's entertaining and fun. it was also a calling card to show he could do action films which eventually lead to his own franchise character "BLADE"

Hey it was the mid 90's but I recommend it if you haven't seen it by now. it's a great time waster and one of the few somewhat recent films that has an African American action hero who wasn't battling drug dealers or gangs. A perfect companion piece togowith the long kiss goodnight though not as big budget as that film but it is a great example of 90's action films. Little known fact: sylvester stallone was first offered the movie but turned it down this was one of wesley snipes first hit movies. just becasue he turned it down they named one of the characters. one who sees no action inthe whole film after him.

GRADE: C+