Flight

It's rare that a movie ends as strong as it begins, but Flight manages to soar at a constant level from beginning to end. It will make you think and resonate in your memory long after the credits roll. Flight is a masterpiece and is easily one of my favorite movies of 2012.

Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a cocky, boozing, drugged out flight attendant who parties like a rockstar. It's rare that such a seemingly unlikeable persona is played with such charm but Denzel manages to nail it. His character should be unlikeable, but Denzel knows how to bring the relatibility.

Whip Whitaker shows up drunk and drugged out the morning of a flight. Due to technical complications with the plane, it crashes, in an especially terrifying and pulse-pounding. Everyone should be dead. But Whip's skill behind the cockpit saves all but six out of the 100 and something lives on the plane. Whitaker is looked at as a hero by most, but a villian by others. Someone has to pay for those deaths, and after a recent drug test, all of the fingers are pointed directly at Whip.

Every performance in Flight is absolute top notch. Washington knocks it out of the park as Whip. Kelly Reilly brings soul to Whip's addict of a girlfriend later on in the movie. Don Cheadle and John Goodman provide some comic relief to the story as Whip's lawyer and drug dealer. Even those that don't have many scenes such as Nadine Velazquez as one of Whip's earlier flings and Melissa Leo as the lead investigator in Whip's crash leave impressions.

Flight also manages to captivate your interest from beginning to end. It's not the shortest movie and I had my doubts about my interest starting to fade, but Flight never drags. Even when the movie isn't steering towards the ground (literally), there's enough going on to keep you going. Though the movie isn't really a thriller/horror like some of the earlier previews and descriptions seemed to lean towards, I still never felt Flight had a dull moment.

Flight will leave your mind active long after it's the credits roll. Was the accident Whip's fault due to his numerous harmful addictions? Was it just bad luck that he was tipsy when things decided to break down? Or was it just a really shitty coincidence? Flight explores all of these options and never really provides a direct answer, leading you to form your own theories about who or what is to blame for the accident. Flight smashes into the brain, heart, even the funny bone as well. Get on board and prepare for one hell of a ride.

4/4