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Flight of the Phoenix (2004)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
17 December 2004 (USA)
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Tagline:
The only way out is up more
Plot:
Survivors of a plane crash in the Mongolian desert work together to build a new plane. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Twilight: ‘How It Should Have Ended’ Sees Starz
(From Tubefilter News. 20 November 2009, 9:05 AM, PST)
Set Visit: Step Into the Incredible World of Legion
(From MovieWeb. 18 August 2009, 8:45 PM, PDT)
(From Tubefilter News. 20 November 2009, 9:05 AM, PST)
Set Visit: Step Into the Incredible World of Legion
(From MovieWeb. 18 August 2009, 8:45 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A classic example of how NOT to do a remake.
more (195 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Dennis Quaid | ... | Frank Towns |
 | Tyrese Gibson | ... | A.J. |
 | Giovanni Ribisi | ... | Elliott |
 | Miranda Otto | ... | Kelly Johnson |
 | Tony Curran | ... | Alex Rodney |
 | Sticky Fingaz | ... | Jeremy (as Kirk Jones) |
 | Jacob Vargas | ... | Sammi |
 | Hugh Laurie | ... | Ian |
 | Scott Michael Campbell | ... | James Liddle |
 | Kevork Malikyan | ... | Rady |
 | Jared Padalecki | ... | John Davis |
| Paul Ditchfield | ... | Dr. Gerber |
| Martin Hindy | ... | Newman (as Martin 'Mako' Hindy) |
| Bob Brown | ... | Kyle |
 | Anthony Wong | ... | Lead Smuggler |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some language, action and violence.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
113 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:12 (video rating) (2005) |
UK:12A (original rating) |
Canada:14A (DVD rating) |
USA:PG-13 (certificate #41095) |
Taiwan:PG-12 |
Norway:11 |
Iceland:14 |
Malaysia:U |
South Korea:12 |
Australia:M |
Brazil:12 |
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) |
Germany:12 |
Ireland:12A |
Netherlands:12 |
New Zealand:M (DVD rating) |
Philippines:G |
Singapore:PG |
Greece:K-13 |
Peru:14 |
Argentina:13
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The model used for the crash sequence cost $250,000 and was so perfectly built it actually flew further than the crew and testing had predicted. In fact it flew so far it hit the camera filming it and broke the cameraman's leg.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: When the left engine fails, the torque gauge falls well below zero instead of stopping on it. A short time later, the hydraulic gauge is shown also to drop below zero, and actually spins down below the 4000 and 3000 PSI marks.
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Quotes:
[preparing for takeoff]
A.J.: [as Bill Cosby] OK, all set, Mr. President. I think it's about time that we do the checklist as the two Bills. What do you say, buddy?
Frank Towns: [as Bill Clinton] Why change a good thing? Go ahead.
A.J.: Allow me to grab my bulletin. Seatbelts.
Frank Towns: I always like to have a little something strapped to my lap. Check.
A.J.: Windows, doors and hatches.
Frank Towns: Closed and secure, so no-one can disturb us.
A.J.: Water injection.
Frank Towns: That's what she said. Check.
A.J.: Gyro.
[...]
more
A.J.: [as Bill Cosby] OK, all set, Mr. President. I think it's about time that we do the checklist as the two Bills. What do you say, buddy?
Frank Towns: [as Bill Clinton] Why change a good thing? Go ahead.
A.J.: Allow me to grab my bulletin. Seatbelts.
Frank Towns: I always like to have a little something strapped to my lap. Check.
A.J.: Windows, doors and hatches.
Frank Towns: Closed and secure, so no-one can disturb us.
A.J.: Water injection.
Frank Towns: That's what she said. Check.
A.J.: Gyro.
[...]
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Movie Connections:
Remake of The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
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Soundtrack:
Hey Ya
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (195 total)
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I have the greatest respect for producers and directors. Regardless of the quality of their work, they must struggle to bring their personal vision to film, and this requires intelligence, technical proficiency, artistic sense, and the skill of a great storyteller. So why do so many directors do remakes of classic movies that deliberately do away with the qualities that made the earlier version(s) as great as they are? Why not fiddle with the less important aspects of the movie? In the original "Flight of the Phoenix", there are several aspects of the film that are essential to the movie; the complete absence of women, the contrast of the claustrophobic setting of the crash site against the vastness of the desert, the lack of backstory for the characters, the revealing of the hidden hopes and fears of the characters through pure dialogue, and the total isolation of the men from outside influences (with the exception of the encounter with the Bedouins.) The 2004 version of the movie basically does away with all of these elements, and the result is not positive.
The original movie was basically a stage play, with limited special effects and a setting that could easily be reproduced on a stage. I don't believe that John Moore improves the movie in any way other than the introduction of some brief, but impressive, special effects.
I also have to point out that some of the reviewers have obviously never seen the original 1965 version, or, if they did, they paid little attention to it. One reviewer, for example, observes that the pilot, Frank Towns, has to be talked into leading the effort to rescue themselves, suggesting that this was somehow a new element in the story. Fans of the 1965 version will recall that this was a major plot element, wherein Towns did not wish to be responsible and did not believe that the effort to rebuild the plane would be successful.
As many others have said, see the original first. Then, if you really want the 21st century special effects, see the 2004 version.
Additional Comment: I just watched this again because a friend had not seen it. These people were the dumbest fools that ever got stranded anywhere. Not to mention that, aside from a minor touch of sunburn,they stay in miraculaously good shape without hats, sunscreen, or any other significant protection.
** out of *****