“Get ready to buckle up, action fans! The recent twist in the Netflix series Flight Risk has left viewers reeling, but did you know that the concept of a seemingly predictable plot taking a dramatic turn has been done – and done better – in a 28-year-old Nic Cage classic? That’s right, we’re talking about the 1994 adrenaline rush, Vampire’s Kiss. In this cult classic, Cage plays a literary agent with a penchant for the dark side, who finds himself in a world of supernatural chaos. But what makes Vampire’s Kiss a standout is its expertly crafted twist, which will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about the story. So, if you’re ready to experience the thrill of a well-executed plot twist, look no further than this Nic Cage gem. But be warned: once you’ve seen it, you’ll never look at Flight Risk the same way again!”
Flight Risk’s Big Twist Was Done Even Better in This 28-Year-Old Nic Cage Action Film – CBR

The premise of Flight Risk is simple: Mark Wahlberg plays a hitman pretending to be a pilot named Daryl. He’s flying a plane and trying to kill a mob informant being transported. However, he has to contend with a US Marshal named Madolyn (Michelle Dockery), creating a high-octane, intense movie along the lines of Plane and Non-Stop.
Luckily, the prisoner, Winston (Topher Grace), becomes a valuable player and helps Madolyn out. Director Mel Gibson wants fans to empathize with Winston, give him a second chance, and paint him as a hero. However, this redemption story in the high-skies was done much better thanks to a Nicolas Cage film from 28 years ago: Con Air.
That film has the strong foundation that Flight Risk lacks. What Is the Problem With Flight Risk’s Winston? Winston Doesn’t Have the Foundation For Being a Hero Close

Winston’s Lack of Trustworthiness
Winston does want to make amends, it comes only after he realizes the mob sent Daryl to kill him so he wouldn’t snitch on them. After that, it’s all about survival. He worries about his mother and feeds Madolyn stories about family. The problem is, he’s not that trustworthy. He spoke about how he was a good man before becoming a mob accountant, but there wasn’t evidence to illustrate this.
It’s all desperate huffing and puffing. Winston doesn’t do anything to prove he wants to redeem himself until the need for an alliance comes up. That’s why viewers are left guessing throughout the movie if he’ll flip on Madolyn, and convince Daryl to land elsewhere so he can escape and stay quiet.
Flight Risk needs to establish Winston’s heroic elements beforehand in order to pad him as someone who regrets his past with the cartel. After all, he knows about their various crimes, including murder, money laundering and embezzlement.

Topher Grace’s Character Background
Winston even acknowledges he is part of a monstrous machine that bribes Madolyn’s boss. All that Flight Risk had to do was show him trying to call his mother and apologize when he was hiding before Madolyn caught him. Instead, after she takes him in, and they fly off, Winston wanting to repent just doesn’t feel believable.
Daryl, himself, points that out that Winston will just use whoever keeps him alive. The likelihood of betrayal makes it more unbelievable that Madolyn quickly and blindly allies with Winston.

Con Air Perfects the Heroic Airplane Prisoner
Nicolas Cage’s Cameron Poe has altruistic elements in play. With one simple move, the movie had Cameron Poe as a former Army Ranger who came home to Alabama, and defended his pregnant wife from thugs. One of the thugs was accidentally killed in the fracas, resulting in Cameron doing time and getting parole years later in a time-jump.
Cameron and many other inmates were being transported to Nevada, but the villains on board took over the plane. Cameron defended his ill friend, Mike, and an officer on board, Sally, while trying to keep his identity hidden.
The others couldn’t know he was on parole, or they would have known he was sabotaging their plane to pick up more allies and then go to another spot to escape. Cameron worked with the authorities via radio on the ground as well, including a US Marshall, Larkin.
Cameron Poe’s Redemption
Cameron left evidence at the first drop-off point to help the authorities track the plane’s new location. He also made sure to take care of his fellow inmates, showing a genuine concern for their well-being.
Throughout the movie, Cameron’s actions demonstrate his commitment to redemption and his desire to make amends for his past mistakes. He’s a complex character with a rich backstory, and his heroic arc is believable and engaging.
Why Flight Risk Falls Short
Flight Risk, on the other hand, fails to establish Winston’s heroic elements beforehand. He’s portrayed as a somewhat untrustworthy character who only wants to save his own skin.
As a result, Madolyn’s quick and blind alliance with Winston feels unnatural and unconvincing. The movie relies on convenient plot devices to advance the story, rather than allowing the characters to develop organically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Flight Risk has its moments, it ultimately falls short of Con Air’s success in portraying a heroic airplane prisoner. Nicolas Cage’s Cameron Poe is a complex and engaging character, and his redemption arc is believable and engaging.
Flight Risk, on the other hand, fails to establish Winston’s heroic elements beforehand, making his redemption feel unnatural and unconvincing. With a stronger focus on character development and a more engaging storyline, Flight Risk could have been a more satisfying watch.
Valen the Outcast: A Review of the Comic Book Series
Valen the Outcast is a new comic book series from Boom! Studios that follows the story of an undead zombie of a warrior king, determined to stay alive long enough to destroy the necromancer that transformed him.
Michael Alan Nelson writes the comic, and it’s a standard opening issue. We get Valen’s origin scene that transforms him into the walking dead, and from there his freedom from the necromancer’s influence so that he can seek revenge.
Valen himself is a little bland initially, perhaps because Nelson needs the space to introduce the cast and the setting. He’s got a growly nature, with supporting cast members Zjanna and Alexio feeling like they’re there to lighten the mood a bit (even as they each show off their own inner badass).
The Artwork
Matteo Scalera’s art is all right but it feels a bit cluttered in places. It’s a rare complaint to make, but I feel like at times he’s putting too much detail in the backgrounds, and they end up distracting from what’s going on in the foreground.
It’s there that we’re getting the good material, like the mark that Zjanna creates to keep Valen free of the necromancer, or the handprint of the necromancer singed onto Valen’s chest. Scalera also does a good job with the monsters of the book; when Zjanna is attacked by the creatures with glowing eyes, they look sufficiently evil and dangerous to get your attention.
Conclusion
At an introductory price of just one dollar, it would have been hard to not get your money’s worth. “Valen the Outcast” #1 was pleasant enough, though, that I’ll give it another issue to see where Nelson and Scalera go, now that the setup and exposition phase appears to be over.
At the core of “Valen the Outcast” is a strong concept, and I want to see just what they’re going to do with it.
Conclusion
Flight Risk’s Big Twist Was Done Even Better in This 28-Year-Old Nic Cage Action Film – CBR
In a bold move, the 28-year-old Nic Cage action film “Flight Risk” defies expectations with its meticulously crafted twist, carefully woven into the narrative. The film’s narrative is a masterclass in misdirection, where the audience is led to believe that the main character, Sam Hunt, is a mild-mannered accountant before the life-altering events unfold. Nic Cage’s bold performance in the lead role is the perfect vehicle for this twist, as he fully embodies the complexity and depth of the character.
The film’s twist is not just a surprise, but a deliberate choice made by the filmmakers to subvert the audience’s expectations and create a sense of tension and unease. The twist pays off beautifully, adding layers of complexity to the story and leaving the audience reeling. This is a testament to the film’s narrative prowess, which is a hallmark of Nic Cage’s acting career. The film’s direction, handled by Jonathan Glazer, is equally impressive, using the film’s atmospheric setting and tension-ridden action sequences to build towards the twist.
The significance of “Flight Risk” lies in its ability to disrupt the typical action film narrative. By turning the audience’s expectations on their head, the film creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, making the experience more visceral and engaging. The film’s success is a testament to the power of misdirection and the importance of paying attention to details in filmmaking. As the film’s narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that “Flight Risk” is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that will leave audiences thinking long after the credits roll.