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Movies / On DVD / Executive Decision
Executive Decision

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Executive Decision (1996)

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Reviews Counted:36

Fresh:24

Rotten:12

Average Rating:6/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: A flight en route to Washington, D.C. is hijacked by Islamic terrorists, who demand $50 million and their leader's release. To show that they mean business, the men have smuggled enough nerve gas... A flight en route to Washington, D.C. is hijacked by Islamic terrorists, who demand $50 million and their leader's release. To show that they mean business, the men have smuggled enough nerve gas onboard to wipe out half of the U.S. The government must now make an "executive decision" as to whether to shoot down the plane and sacrifice the passengers, for the sake and safety of America. In the meantime, a gung-ho, multi-ethnic task force is sent into action, led by no-nonsense Austin Travis, and including intelligence analyst David Grant. They attempt to sneak onto the plane in midair, using an experimental aircraft that attaches to the bottom of the jetliner. However, Travis does not survive. Now, The tuxedoed Grant (who's more comfortable behind a desk) must lead the commandoes, and find a way to stop the terrorists -- before it's too late. [More]

Starring: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry, David Suchet

Starring: Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry, David Suchet, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton

Director: Stuart Baird

Director: Stuart Baird
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Screenwriter: Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Producer: Joel Silver

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Executive Decision

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Russell plays this role very well, relying more on his intellectual image than muscles in the same manner as his character who uses more brain and less physical power to achieve his task.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
12/04/02
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

It doesn't always work, but there's something inspiring about Baird's unwillingness to follow the usual formula.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
01/01/00
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

For uncomplicated excitement, the film offers a solid one-hundred thirty minutes.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Executive Decision is just about what you'd expect in the action genre.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

Adrenalin-pumping political thriller that doesn't let up from start to finish.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
08/22/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

There's nothing like a protracted action drama in which anti-terrorist commandos slink around the bowels of an airborne 747 and talk about what they hope to accomplish upstairs in the final shootout.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today

Take a late-blooming action star and an action hero whose career is in a downslide, and you get an action film seriously lacking in... action.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
12/22/04
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

A movie for people who are sophisticated enough to know how shameless the film is, but fun-loving enough to enjoy its excesses and manic zeal.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It finally gives us what Hollywood has been threatening for years, the movie nobody was waiting for: Airport '96.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/30/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Deliciously turbulent.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Richard Harrington
Richard Harrington
Washington Post

It seems to bring up more questions than could possibly be answered in a two-hour movie, but all of the pieces start to fall into place as the movie picks up speed.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

The great thing about the movie is that, although it's ludicrously predictable along the lines of every 'Die Hard on a [name your vehicle],' the filmmakers still manage to wring every scene for the most thrills possible.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
06/05/02
Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert
Boxoffice Magazine

Stuart Baird's direction is so sluggish and Jim and John Thomas' script so padded that Executive Decision has no build.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle

A good, taut movie for red-meat action audiences.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you go to Executive Decision, sit back and try to enjoy the explosions and high-tech gadgetry. But more importantly, try to get there late.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

So, is your adrenaline a little low? Suffer from low blood pressure? Have I got a cure for you: Executive Decision.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

Although the formula may be old, it is expertly handled.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
03/16/03
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Russell never really gets your blood going.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Barbara Shulgasser
Barbara Shulgasser
San Francisco Examiner

Satisfying junk food.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/20/03
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Executive Decision

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