An elite military team must board an airborne, hijacked plane to defuse a nerve gas bomb that could wipe out the entire East Coast. The plot follows a "Die Hard" formula, providing competent suspense.

A flight en route to Washington, D.C. is hijacked by Islamic terrorists, who demand $50 million and their leader's release. To show that they mean business, the men have smuggled enough nerve gas onboard to wipe out half of the U.S. The government must now make an "executive decision" as to whether to shoot down the plane and sacrifice the passengers, for the sake and safety of America.
In the meantime, a gung-ho, multi-ethnic task force is sent into action, led by no-nonsense Austin Travis, and including intelligence analyst David Grant. They attempt to sneak onto the plane in midair, using an experimental aircraft that attaches to the bottom of the jetliner. However, Travis does not survive. Now, The tuxedoed Grant (who's more comfortable behind a desk) must lead the commandoes, and find a way to stop the terrorists -- before it's too late.

Released theatrically in the USA March 15, 1996. The film grossed $52.6 million domestically.

Color by Technicolor.

Directorial debut for editor Stuart Baird.

Soundtrack album on Varese Sarabande CDs.

Copyright 1996 Warner Bros.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Snap Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes

Kurt Russell: American Actor, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981)
Steven Seagal: Actor, EXIT WOUNDS (2001), ABOVE THE LAW
Halle Berry: Oscar winning actress, MONSTER'S BALL
David Suchet: British actor, Hercule Poirot of Poirot series
John Leguizamo: American Actor/Writer
Oliver Platt: Actor, BEETHOVEN
Joe Morton: American Actor

Stuart Baird: Editor/Producer/Director

Joel Silver: American Producer

Jim Thomas: Screenwriter/Producer
John Thomas: Screenwriter

Jerry Goldsmith: Film composer

Dallas Puett: Editor
Frank J. Urioste: American Editor
Stuart Baird: Editor/Producer/Director

"...A spectacularly good special-effects finale..."
"...A thankfully unexploitative, rock-solid piece of work....Logic, wit and chutzpah..." -- Rating: B+
"...Its action and excitement quotient is top-notch....A slick piece of goods with a dark sense of humor, a highly entertaining arsenal of gadgets and a fair share of unexpected developments..."
"...It's a nice surprise to come across a savvy piece of work that relies on suspense and is as professional as the elite anti-terrorist unit it celebrates..."