Flight Risk (2025) - Whatever They Were Going For Failed Miserably

While I usually can't stand Mark Wahlberg's acting, Mel Gibson usually does interesting work as a director, so I gave it a whirl thinking there must be to it than the basic premise I saw in the trailer. 

Nope.

Plot: A mob accountant on the run and hiding in the Alaska wilderness is captured by the FBI. A deputy tosses him on a small rental plane to bring him back to the real world to stand trial against his boss. While on the flight, the deputy realizes the pilot is a psycho hit man and all hell breaks loose. Can the deputy and accountant get the plane landed safely before Marky Mark kills them?  

First off, the script's insanely straightforward. They try to throw a few twists in here, but it's all over phone calls, so you don't have a vested interest in the people on the other end. The dialogue is flat, the humor fails, and the suspense is, well, predictable. They have Marky Mark tied up three times in an hour flight, and he gets out each time. And every time they leave him alone without guarding him, killing him, or even making damn well sure he can't escape.  

Frankly, I'm surprised at the talent they got for this one. Gibson has a gift for storytelling and directing, but maybe he has been on the fringe of Hollywood for too long and is slipping. I wouldn't believe this is the same guy who directed Braveheart and Apocalypto. Marky Mark is playing against type here as a loony killer, complete with a bald head for some reason. The whole time I'm thinking that's the only reason he did the movie, because it was a completely forgettable and thankless role with zero scene-chewery to be had.  Michelle Dockery is the by-the-book deputy in charge of bringing her man to justice, though I can't tell if she's a good actress because she is given literally nothing to work with.  Topher Grace is the only one who comes out unscathed, as he plays the hapless, affable accountant perfectly.

A random stranger's opinion - Complete, forgettable misfire. You'll keep thinking there is something more to this coming, but then the credits roll, and you'll wonder why you just watched.  

Grade: D-