Executive Decision

Why I Love Executive Decision in 100 Words or Less

Executive Decision

Amazon Price: $2.20 (as of 05/31/2012)

An all-star cast (at least to me) has to stop terrorists who've high-jacked a plane with the intent of exploding a deadly gas over the east coast of the U.S. An insertion team and a consultant team up to board the plane and take control. Non-stop action, great characterizations and constant motion make this a slick movie that got lost in theaters.

Cast Roundup

Executive Decision has a great cast, and its depth and complexity make it more than just a mindless action flick.

Kurt Russell - Unlike his more badass roles in other movies, here he plays an analyst who gets swept into an anti-terrorism mission. In way over his head, he has the smarts, skills and some big brass ones to come out on top.

Steven Seagal - JUST like all his other movies, he's the badass, who has a grudge against Russell for getting the wrong intel on a previous mission. He and his force aren't happy about working with Russell.

Halle Berry - I'm not a huge Halle Berry fan but she does a lot with her stewardess character who has to display amazing composure and bravery in order to help the insertion team save the plane. My favorite role of hers.

John Leguizamo - I love his range, and he's good in everything including Executive Decision. Smart-talking, no-nonsense and goal-oriented. Most people think of him for his comedic roles, but he's great with any kind of characterization.

Oliver Platt - Like Russell, is thrust into the mission as an expert, but with advice and quick wits becomes an important part of the team as they work to defuse the bomb, unbeknownst to the terrorists.
He's a go-to guy in a lot of movies and I like seeing him here.

Joe Morton - As Cappy, the bomb expert, he gets sidelined early but doesn't give up the fight, getting the job done with Platt's help. I can't think of another guy who fights terrorists on his back the whole time.

B.D. Wong - Rounding out the insertion team, he's one of those actors who's just a workhorse, and at least here he gets to be one of the heroes and not just set dressing. Fans of Oz can watch him as Father Mukada.

Andreas Katsulas - The big heavy on the plane. Calm, calculating, and completely insane. He makes a great villain (was the one-armed man in Fugitive), and here he gets to chew the scenery. For sci-fi tv fans, he has been in episodes of both Babylon 5 and various Star Trek vehicles.