Passenger 57
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Passenger 57
Passenger 57 is a 1992 American action thriller film starring Wesley Snipes as John Cutter, an anti-terrorism expert. The plot centers on Cutter's efforts to foil a hijacking attempt by notorious terrorist Charles Rane on a commercial airline flight. The movie is known for its fast-paced action, martial arts sequences, and suspenseful airborne combat. While critically it received mixed reviews, it was a box-office success and helped solidify Snipes' career as an action hero. The film is rated R due to its intense and graphic violence, pervasive profanity, and some suggestive content, making it suitable for older teenagers and adults.
Things to Consider
Violence
The film features extreme, graphic violence, including numerous shootings, killings, and brutal hand-to-hand combat. Deaths are frequent and often depicted explicitly, contributing to a high level of intensity.
1. Terrorist Charles Rane calmly kills a doctor during his escape. Later, he executes the pilot with a headshot, stating 'Who's in charge? You are. Excellent. Sit your ass down.'. 2. John Cutter's wife is killed in a flashback during a convenience store robbery, which serves as a significant motivation for his character. 3. Throughout the film, multiple FBI agents are shot and killed by Rane's accomplices during the hijacking. 4. John Cutter engages in numerous martial arts fights, utilizing kicks and other physical maneuvers against terrorists, often resulting in serious injury or death, such as 'Kung Fu kicking his way down the airliner'.
Profanity
The film contains considerable profane and obscene language, with upwards of 50 obscenities and profanities. Strong curse words, including the 'f-word', are used frequently and aggressively by various characters.
Scary & Intense Content
The film is highly intense and suspenseful, centered around a violent hijacking with life-threatening situations for all passengers. Frequent gunfire, deaths, and tense standoffs contribute to a frightening atmosphere.
Disrespect & Rebellion
Disrespect and rebellion are central to the plot, as terrorists actively defy and violently overthrow authority figures (FBI, pilots). There are also instances where protagonist John Cutter experiences disrespect from local law enforcement.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
The film is rated R by the MPAA, primarily due to extreme, graphic violence, significant profanity, and sexual innuendo. Therefore, it is recommended for audiences 17 years and older. Younger viewers may find the intense violence, frequent deaths, and strong language disturbing and inappropriate.
Good to Know
Passenger 57 is a classic 90s action movie with a straightforward plot. While it is praised for Wesley Snipes' performance and martial arts skills, some critics note its 'implausible' script and lack of intricate narrative. The film's short runtime contributes to its rapid pacing, focusing heavily on action sequences. There are no indications of later installments or adaptations that significantly shift its content or tone; it remains a standalone action thriller.
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