Released in 1997, "Air Force One" captured a specific cultural moment in Hollywood, presenting an idealized vision of the American presidency as a bastion of dignity and bravery. The film, starring Harrison Ford as President James Marshall, is now available to stream for free on Pluto TV, and it continues to stand out as a defining action thriller of its decade. Ford's portrayal of a commander-in-chief who personally fights back against terrorists hijacking his plane injects a remarkable believability into its audacious premise.
During the 1990s, audiences were receptive to the idea of the President of the United States also being a formidable action hero. This was a period when the presidency was associated with a sense of grace and capability that has since shifted in public perception. "Air Force One" arrived in a competitive summer film season, alongside blockbusters like "Men in Black" and "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," and just a year after "Independence Day" presented another heroic presidential figure. The film arrived during Bill Clinton's second term, a time before the Monica Lewinsky scandal reshaped public views of the office.
President Marshall is depicted as a principled, tough, and devoted leader, a Vietnam War veteran who embodies an idealized version of the POTUS. His refusal to abandon the plane while his family remains aboard underscores his character. This role, written by Andrew W. Marlowe and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, leverages Ford's established charisma. Ford's performance radiates competence, whether he is navigating delicate political situations, condemning terrorism in a forceful Moscow speech, or engaging in warm interactions with his flight crew, daughter, and wife. The film establishes Marshall as a character audiences can easily root for.
Ford's casting drew on his history of playing reluctant heroes, from Han Solo to Indiana Jones, convincing audiences that he could also believably lead the United States. His involvement even extended to consulting with then-President Bill Clinton, who reportedly became a fan of the film after filmmakers were given a tour of the actual Air Force One. Clinton's connections also facilitated the casting of Glenn Close as Vice President Kathryn Bennett, a role written with a female actor in mind.
Gary Oldman delivers a memorable performance as the antagonist, Russian ultranationalist Ivan Korshunov. Unlike his flamboyant role in "The Fifth Element," Oldman's Korshunov is a chillingly disciplined zealot, serving as a perfect counterpoint to Ford's composed heroism. The film effectively uses the confined space of Air Force One itself as a central element, akin to the Nakatomi Plaza in "Die Hard." The plane's corridors and hidden compartments create a sense of paranoia and tension as Ford's character confronts the hijackers.
In an era where films often deconstruct heroes and explore moral ambiguity, "Air Force One" offers a refreshing straightforward narrative. It presents a clear-cut conflict: a heroic president, a loving family man, battling terrorists. The film embraces its outlandish premise with elements like a crucial fax machine plot device and Ford's iconic delivery of "Get off my plane!" These straightforward elements contribute to its enduring appeal as an entertaining action thriller.