'Executive Decision' is the kind of fun you're likely to forget, considering its disposable entertainment. And that's exactly you should watch or revisit this 1996 box-office success!

'Executive Decision' Synopsis: When terrorists seize control of an airliner, an intelligence analyst accompanies a commando unit for a midair boarding operation.

'Executive Decision' is interesting & engrossing, even though its overlong & even messy at times. The narrative is well-paced & some of the twists, actually work on its advantage. At 133-minutes, this action-thriller scores higher pluses, than on minuses.

The Screenplay Written by Jim Thomas & John Thomas, is fast-paced & keeps the goings- on tight, although it drags after a point. Stuart Baird's Direction is excellent. Cinematography is well-done. Editing is mostly crisp. Art & Costume Design are good. Action-Sequences are passable.

Performance-Wise: Kurt Russell leads the show, with a heroic performance. Steven Seagal has a small role, but he does well in his bit. Halle Berry looks gorgeous as ever & is decent. David Suchet is superb as the antagonist. His performance stands out. John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt & The Late/Great J. T. Walsh, lend credible support.

On the whole, 'Executive Decision' is full entertainment!

Terrorists hijack a jumbo jet with the apparent intention of getting an incarcerated comrade released from captivity. The American government are quick to react, and using a stealth plane, smuggle a crack team of commandos on board the mid-air jet. However, all does not go to plan as the terrorists motives come to light and the commandos are severely hampered by ill fortune and their resourceful foe.

Forget common sense or any semblance of probability, and just accept that Executive Decision is mindless, unadulterated fun. Every hostage/hijack cliché in the book is used by first time director Stuart Baird. From the roll call of character staples-the hero in waiting out of his depth- nerdy electronics geek-heroine trolley-dolly and Gung-Ho soldiers, to the by the numbers set of complications that come our intrepid heroes way. This is simple stuff that, although obviously given added emotional impetus post 9/11, remains a whole slice of tension pie laced with a disaster movie sauce.

Kurt Russell heads the cast as fish out of water suit, Dr. David Grant, and joining him for the malarkey is Halle Berry, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton and Joe Leguizamo. Steven Seagal appears in an uncredited role, a role that in turn will either delight or annoy fans and haters of the pony tailed one. Leave your brain at the check in desk and board this particular jumbo jet. 6.5/10

"Executive Decision" is a very taut suspense thriller. It's well worth seeing but fans who love (or hate) Steven Seagal should know that although he is featured on many movie posters, he's barely in the film.

When the story begins, a terrorist leader is kidnapped by American forces and brought to the States to await prosecution. However, soon his lieutenant springs into action...hijacking a 747 filled with passengers headed to Washington, DC. However, there are concerns that the plane MIGHT be used as a weapon and allowing it to land in the States could result in thousands or millions of deaths.

To deal with this problem, an audacious plan is put into effect. A special forces team is secreted aboard the 747 via a specially outfitted F-117 Stealth Fighter. While most make it aboard the airliner without being detected, disaster strikes and the team is scrambling to get their mission accomplished.

This is a very tense and well made film. I noticed some reviews gave it scores as low as 2 or 3 or 4, but I cannot understand this. The story is very good and the supporting cast is excellent...as is Kurt Russell in the lead. Well worth seeing and far better than I expected.

By the way, the ending is highly reminiscent of a Doris Day film, of all things! See "Julia" and "Executive Decision" and you'll see what I mean.