Verdict: 3.5/5
Get the popcorn, don’t take things too seriously and strap in for a 90 minute joy flight.
That’s the best way to prepare for ‘Flight Risk’, which isn’t about to win any Academy Awards, but serves as an entertaining flick with a touch of tension, and plenty of laughs.
The Mel Gibson directed flick stars Michelle Dockery as a US Marshall tasked with escorting a key witness from Alaska back to Seattle.
All seems normal when the over-the-top pilot (never named, but played by Mark Wahlberg) enters the cockpit. But Dockery and that witness, Winston (Topher Grace) start to suspect something isn’t right, and when the pilot’s flight credentials fall into Winston’s view and he sees it’s not the right person, the action really begins.
From here we watch a cat and mouse battle of sorts, for control of the plane and Winston himself. More importantly, can Dockery land the flight on her own, with just a little help from Hasan, a flirty pilot on the ground who lends his assistance?
‘Flight Risk’ could have just been discarded a dumb movie, where the tension never really lifts off the base line. But the comedic elements, thanks to Winston’s one-liners, the pilot’s antics and Hasan on the ground, give it a little boost that makes it an entertaining ride.
Nothing spectacular here, but a decent 90 minute thrill ride.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.

Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.