Review of Red Eye

Sadly, the quality of this film actually imitates today's typical flying experience. As anyone who's traveled by commercial plane in the last 9 years knows, once you make it through the dignity-stripping hassels of passing through security, the worst is over. So goes it for the first 10 minutes of this film. But alas, we still have to get thru the takeoff--a tense, unsavory sensation for many-- before we're up in the air and really moving toward where we want to be. Liken this to the introductory scenes between our two leads in the film: a disagreeable, naseau-inducing series of exchanges between the usually charming McAdams, and the normally compelling Murphy. Here the dynamic falters up and down between bland and repellent. The film finally begins to find its stride as the plane reaches cruising altitude-- The actors settle into their strenghts as their characters move toward their true essences. Motives are revealed, tenacity is tested, and the tone becomes more and more menacing. Any satisifaction is short lived, however. As the movie reaches the final act the film takes one final turn for the worst. In the end I felt much as though I'd arrived safely at my destination, only to discover my baggage was lost.