Red Eye [2005]

Wes Craven. There’s a name to get horror movie fans hearts aflutter. Well maybe back in the 80’s when his movies were worth something anyway. Seems that since he had a big hit with Scream back in 1996, Mr. Craven’s career has become somewhat vapid as he made two sequels to that movie (each of lesser value) and the Meryl Streep starring drama Music Of The Heart. So it was somewhat surprising to see 2005 hold two movies from him.

The less said about Cursed the better, but it was his second effort of the year that turned out better than expected. Sure, Red Eye is one incredibly dumb movie that never once attempts to delve into the motivations behind its plot, but at least it entertains if you don’t give any sort of thought to the script by Carl Ellsworth and you can stifle your groans during a finale filled with many convenient events and a ridiculous moment involving a rocket launcher.

Things get off to a chaotic start as Lisa (Rachel MacAdams) is rushing to try and get the red eye flight home after attending her grandmother’s funeral. She also had to try and juggle her job as the head desk clerk of an expensive hotel that’s expecting the deputy secretary of Homeland Security (Jack Scalia). Stressed out, and feeling the pressure, she ends-up meeting seemingly normal guy Jack Ripner (Cillian Murphy) who befriends her and happens to be on the same flight.

Seems though that Jack isn’t quite the good guy he appeared to be (and with a name like that, how could he be?) as he proceeds to take her hostage and threaten to kill her father if she doesn’t reschedule Scalia into a different room (which will set a terrorist assassination plot into gear). What follows is a whole bunch of “cat ‘n’ mouse” and thanks to Craven the first half of Red Eye makes for quite a satisfying time with decent plot build-up and some mild suspense. Murphy also manages to show some alright menace as the baddie and even channels Marlon Brando from The Godfather for his voice after MacAdams stabs his throat with a pen.

Red Eye isn’t the best thriller I’ve ever seen and it’s neither the romantic movie or horror flick the ads tried to play it out as – what it is is a competently made flick from a director needing a rebound. And like Tobe Hooper and his Toolbox Murders, Craven manages to come out of this one with his dignity intact.

2.5 out of 4

Directed by Wes Craven. Written by Carl Ellsworth. 85 minutes. PG-13