Fluke_Skywalker Plot; The survivors of a plane crash must overcome their differences if they're rebuild their plane and escape their Hellish circumstances.I've never seen the original, which certainly has a better pedigree and reputation than this lightly regarded remake. The pieces are all here for the combination of tense drama and survival adventure the story promises, but in the hands of a less than accomplished director like John Moore (Max Payne, Die Hard w/a Vengeance), it too often falls flat despite the solid and game cast. Dennis "When they can't get Harrison Ford" Quaid heads an above board cast that includes Miranda Otto, Tyreese Gibson, Hugh Laurie and Giovanni Rabisi, the latter of whom steals the film as the weirdly enigmatic brains behind the plan they desperately cling to. The original is more highly regarded for sure, though as I said, I've never seen it. But if you're looking for a better executed new millennium film about survival adventure, I suggest The Grey starring Liam Neeson as this watchable but unremarkable remake never takes flight.

bowmanblue Then again, I've never seen the original, so there's always going to be people out there who claim that the Dennis Quaid version doesn't compare. Maybe they're right, but, seeing as I never saw it, I can only say that this modern version is a pretty fun action/adventure romp.It's about a plane that crashes in the desert and there's no discernible help coming for them. Therefore they're left with the choices of just sitting there awaiting death, or rebuilding their stricken aircraft from scratch and flying out of there. Guess what… they choose the latter.However, it's not an easy task. Along with the natural lack of food and water, they have to contend with the elements, not to mention a tribe of gun-crazy nomads waiting to pick them off.There's a cast of about ten (including Dennis Quaid and Miranda Otto), so don't expect every one of them to be really fully-fleshed. A fair percentage are only there to find themselves lost in the desert or on the wrong end of a nomad's bullet. But, this isn't about character. Basically, the crew of 'stereotypes' are only there to fill a purpose, but so what – it's still fun! It's slightly longer than your average film (about an hour and forty minutes), but it never seems to drag. They crash pretty quickly and one disaster after the next moves the story along at a good pace.Okay, so when the history books are written about great action/adventure films, the remake of 'Flight of the Phoenix' will probably never be mentioned. However, that doesn't mean it's not a fun little ride if you're in the mood. Give it a go. If you find it on telly, or streaming for free on an online site its value is even greater.

Ben Larson Sure it has Dennis Quaid (The Big Easy), Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan), Tyrese Gibson (Four Brothers), and Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), but it also had Hugh Laurie from House. That's enough to get me to watch, no matter what. No, Quaid is not better that Jimmy Stewart was in the 1965 version, but he still sizzles. Ribisi, with his Nazi undertones, really adds to the pic.It is an inadequate remake, but it has Hugh Laurie. Two things that puzzle me: How come no one gets a sunburn working in the desert without a shirt, and how come Otto doesn't hook up with one of these shirtless hunks - especially Hugh Laurie.

tthreadgill I'm not one of those snobby reviewers who will automatically dismiss a remake as inferior to an original. In rare cases I actually like a remake over the original. I honestly preferred The Birdcage over La Cage aux Folles and consider the new True Grit a superior example of movie-making when evaluated alongside the John Wayne original. Sadly, this new version of Flight of the Phoenix is in pitiful territory. It is a shallow and all too typical Hollywood flick falling far short when compared to the Robert Aldrich Oscar nominated original. For the life of me I cannot figure out why it was even made. Was 20th Century Fox really that desperate for money? So.... My advice is, don't bother with this poser of a movie. It is chock full of Hollywood silliness and strained dialogue. Instead get the original 1965 version and watch great actors like Jimmy Stewart, Richard Attenborugh, Peter Finch, Ernest Borgnine and George Kennedy embark on a journey of great story telling. You will not be disappointed.