mach0017-1 An airline pilot who has lost everything electrical, hydraulic, wind and steam-powered on his plane makes contact with PHX center via cell phone and says "Roger Phoenix, we are not going anywhere." If you don't understand the problem with that, you will probably think this is a good movie. The dialogue comes fast and furious and is full of in-crowd jargon, but also full of ATC non-sequiturs. I got the impression a copy of the script was cut up into strips that contained one line of dialogue AND one line of action on each strip, then each strip pasted on a 3 x 5 card; then the cards were shuffled very thoroughly and the movie shot in order from the resulting stack of cards. A REAL air traffic controller would find hundreds of lines with technical errors; you would think that control towers and centers (ARTCC) were interchangeable. In a scene near the end, when all the airplanes PHX ARTCC was controlling have all gotten on the ground, the controllers all close up shop and go home, leaving the ARTCC unmanned, except for the hero and a few other important characters. Then when they assume that the last airplane has crashed, they all climb up the stairs to the tower, which is apparently conveniently on top of the ARTCC (which is never the case), and the hero ARTCC controller guides the plane in from the catwalk outside the control tower cab. A complete list of the technical improbabilities, inconsistencies in dialogue and unexplained scene shifts would fill a 500 page book. I say all this having been an air traffic controller and ATP rated pilot. Again, any pilot or controller who thinks this is a good movie was not paying attention.

Jonathon Dabell One has to wonder why the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Kelly McGillis, Kristy Swanson and Henry Winkler would lend their talents to a routine drama like this. While not exactly at the peak of their game – Sutherland was still in a lull before "24" reinvigorated his career; McGillis, Swanson and Winkler were well past the heyday years of "Top Gun", "Buffy" and "Happy Days" respectively – they're collectively too good to be wasted on such uninspired fare. This drama set in the world of air traffic control is routine in every department. Watching it will not offend your sensibilities in any way, shape or form…. but neither will it have you raving to all your friends what an undiscovered masterpiece you've just unearthed.Jack Harris (Kiefer Sutherland) used to be an ace air traffic controller, until one night in Chicago he listened helplessly as a flight in his sector crashed, killing all 174 passengers and crew. Although Harris was blameless, the incident left him deeply scarred. Five years later he makes a living in Phoenix, designing computer software and gradually recovering from the break-up of his relationship and battle with alcoholism. Harris's old air traffic buddy TC Bryant (Bruce McGill) – who has also moved down to Phoenix - approaches him one New Year, asking Harris to help out at the air traffic control centre during a staff shortage. Harris is reluctant but he eventually agrees. As it happens, Phoenix is excessively busy with aircraft that night as a storm has diverted more than fifty extra flights their way. Other controllers trying to land the planes safely that night include cocksure Cruise (Robert Sean Leonard) and first-night-on-the-job rookie Julie Albrecht (Kristy Swanson). As the pressure builds, Harris finds himself struggling to remain focused and he keeps experiencing flashbacks to that fateful night in Chicago. Then the unthinkable happens – an aircraft puts in a distress call. They've lost all power and hydraulics, they can't even turn the plane, they're low on fuel and they're carrying over 130 passengers. Harris thinks he knows a way to bring the plane in safely…. but will his nerves hold?Ground Control is clichéd stuff. Every character is lifted from stock – if you have your tick boxes ready, there's the flawed hero (Sutherland) - check; the cocky rival (Leonard) - check; the rookie (Swanson) - check; the dryly humorous technical boffin (Winkler) - check; the pig-headed boss (McGillis) – check; and the inspirational father figure who draws everyone together in a crisis (McGill) – check! Much of the dialogue is incomprehensible air traffic lingo ("turn right on a 2-9er-2 heading and reduce air speed by 15 knots"), and some scenes become tedious due to the sheer weight of technical babble. However the film is not all that badly done. The actors at least try quite hard in their cardboard roles, and the final twenty minutes or so, during which they battle to bring in the stricken plane, has an element of excitement. This is an unexceptional, workmanlike drama – easy viewing for those with an hour and a half to spare.

vhs1999 This movie was really good, it had a lot of suspense and action and also a few jokes here and there. This movie didn't have A class actors but thats one other thing made this movie a top watch. I actually think now having watched it that the events that happened in this movie were not just believable but realistic, being a air traffic controller would not be the easiest job in the world and would also be a very stressful job as well. This movie is only for real people with an imagination, you do not need a big A class cast and a big budget to make a good film. All you need is some B class actors who fit the role and a moderate budget and you have a top movie. Im hoping to see more B class movies just like this one in the near and present future.

sabad1 General Synopsis of the movie is that after a crash, a top rated Air traffic controller leaves the business. Then 5 years later is brought back for one night due to the facility being understaffed and too many planes coming in....This movie actually should have been pegged as a drama instead of action/adventure...but be that as it may, it was rather good. One could go on and on about how it isn't realistic, but in truth...how many movies really are? The title role of Jack Harris is played by Kiefer Sutherland. This is a key factor to the movies success. His uncanny ability to visibly portray emotions is essential to the role. As usual, he brings the "I'll do anything to make me a human on film" trademark with him. (Anyone for getting sick in the bathroom sink?) This trademark is what has endeared him over the years to so many fans and critics alike.Also Staring were Robert Sean Leonard as the cocky hotshot air traffic controller; Bruce McGill as the overworked supervisor who pleads with Jack to come back, even if just for one night; Kelly McGillis as the politically minded administrator (she ends up being a good guy in the end); Kristy Swanson as the "newbie" air traffic controller fresh out of the academy; and our beloved Henry Winkler as the facility mechanic who keeps everything running, even though the equipment is old and some without replacement.Although the movie is meant to "entertain", the whole crux of the movie is to tell a story about being an Air Traffic Controller and the absolute stress behind that job. This is something they did quite well. All in all, it was a rather good film. It will hold interest up until the end and has a very climatic, edge of your seat, finish.Who will like this movie? 1. Probably air traffic controllers (even though it might not be completely factual) 2. People who like a good human interest story 3. The over 40 crowd. 4. Kiefer fansWho will not like this movie? Those whose mentalities require constant barrages of special effects, action, cussing, sex, violence and/or blood…pass on this one, it won't fill your needs.Ending notes: If you fall into the "who will like this movie" group…definitely give it a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.