“Con Air” is an extraordinary action film with tons of great performances and explosive action scenes. It stars Nicolas Cage (“Leaving Las Vegas”) and this was around the same time he did “The Rock” and “Face/Off” but this one is easily the best of the three and one of his best movies.

Cameron Poe (Cage) is a decorated soldier that has spent years behind bars after accidentally killing a man in self-defence. He’s never seen his daughter but has received many letters from her. Now, he is finally going home as he boards a prison plane filled with murderers, rapists, drug dealers and terrorists. However, the prisoners hijack it with the hopes of fleeing the country. Poe must stop them and get home to his family.

Cage is terrific as Cameron Poe. You really believe that he’s a tough action guy. John Cusack (“2012”) plays Marshal Larkin and he’s very entertaining too. John Malkovich (“Johnny English”) is ‘Cyrus the Virus’, a criminal mastermind leading the hijacking and he’s brilliant. Ving Rhames (“Pulp Fiction”), Danny Trejo (“Heat”), Steve Buscemi (“Reservoir Dogs”) are all enjoyable too. Dave Chappelle (“Half Baked”) is forgettable as ‘Pinball’. I love the scene when the villains get introduced as you learn everything you need to know about the major players.

Many action movies let you down with the villains but the bad guys in “Con Air” are amazing. There are plenty of great action sequences involving helicopters, guns, motorcycles and even a fire truck. The only thing that disappointed me a little was that it does taken Poe a very long time before he starts to really fight back. I know he’s trying to be smart about it but if John McClane can start responding almost right away in “Die Hard”, I should not have to wait forever for this hero to start saving the day. “Con Air” is a spectacular action movie and one of the best Nicolas Cage films out there.