Harrison Fordis his own franchise.During a career retrospectivewith People in 2023, the actor, 80 years old at the time, shared, “I never thought that I would be a leading man. […] No one ever believes this, but I never wanted to be rich and famous. I just wanted to be an actor.” Ford gave a similar statement in 1981, also to People, where the newfangled movie starrejected that verbiage: “I don’t want to be a movie star. I want to be in movies that are stars.” He may have risen to the kind of enviable worldwide prominence few achieve thanks to leading roles intwo landmark pieces of cinema— both of which, ironically, offered a variation on the lovable rogue archetype. But through a series ofastute career moves, Ford accomplished his goal even as fate circumvented his fame-avoiding tendencies. Hiseffortlessly wicked and imminently recognizable charismaestablished an unspoken promise that no matter how often his characters skirted past the edges of moral misbehavior, they always did the right thing before the credits rolled. That prickly cactus demeanor hid a proverbial heart of gold (one handily proficient with the art of fisticuffs). He became the movie star equivalent of “don’t threaten me with a good time,” andembodied the perfect action starof his time.
As his career evolvedin the 1980s and 1990s, the crystallization of Ford’s image won’t be found inIndiana JonesorStar Wars, but with a one-off action movie.Air Force One, theWolfgang Petersenblockbuster from 1997 where Russian terrorists hijack the U.S. President’s plane and hold the White House staff hostage, is quintessential Harrison Ford in a way that requires his fictional history precede him. Cited by Ford asthe movie he most often quotesin real life (“Because I fly, I probably say more than I need to, ‘Get off my plane!"), no movie better summarizes Ford’s crackingly magnetic persona. And it wasn’t even written for him.
Air Force One
Communist radicals hijack Air Force One with the U.S. President and his family on board. The Vice President negotiates from Washington D.C., while the President, a veteran, fights to rescue the hostages on board.
‘Air Force One’ Is a Competent Thriller Anchored by Harrison Ford’s Charisma
Air Force Onesees Harrison Ford assume the role ofUnited States President James Marshall. Or, if you ask PresidentBill Clintonvia Ford’s paraphrasing, “the kick-ass president.” Clocking in at just over two hours, the movie quickly establishes that Marshall is Not Like Other Presidents. He has no time for the machinations of American politics. During a diplomatic dinner, Marshall eviscerates the political system that led to rich white men congratulating one another while refugees suffer. America’s foreign relations policies are a failure he vows to radically overhaul. Most of all, the United States will never negotiate with terrorists. It’s a banger of a speech. He ends by declaring with steely Ford resolve, “We will no longer tolerate, and we will no longer be afraid. It’s your turn to be afraid.” Mic drop!
After masterfully trolling Washington, D.C., Marshall hops onto Air Force One. All he wants to do is see his family, watch the football game he missed, and take a nap. Instead, a group of neo-Soviet terrorists commandeers the plane. Led by Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldmanat the height of hiszany villain streak), the group wants Marshall to free an imprisoned Russian general. Marshall strategically evades them for most of the movie, but once he’s caught, his vows are put to the test: release the general, or Marshall’s wife and daughter die.
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This is whenAir Force Onebecomes “Die Hardon a plane.” It’s a tight rollercoaster of a political thriller and a rollicking good time. This is a film thatknows what it is and hits its action shoot-‘em-up requirements many leagues above competent. The editing is sharp and clear, always keeping the viewer spatially aware, and the tension crisply suffocating. It never fails to entertain, even when it strains the limits of its concept’s plausibility.The late Wolfgang Petersendeserves high marks for directing with appropriate aplomb, but you can’t turn a corner without running into a ’90s character actor.William H. Macy,Xander Berkeley,Wendy Crewson,Paul Guilfoyle, andDean Stockwellfill out a roster of heavyweights led by Ford, Oldman, and none other thanGlenn Closeas the Vice President. (For 1997, it’s a startlingly progressive movie in some respects.)
Ford Embodies the Perfect Hero in ‘Air Force One’
James Marshall andAir Force One’s narrative framing isthe apex of Ford’s beloved image. For one, Marshall’s a fantasy: he’s the ideal U.S. President to a T, the kind society will never see. He’s properly patriotic (the movie’s most dated aspect). He’s unshakably moral. He has no patience for BS or haters. He’s a family man and a girl dad who prioritizes others’ lives with inherent selflessness. Once the terrorist takeover begins and the Secret Service agents rush Marshall to his one-person escape pod, Marshall shouts for his family. He sneaks his way out of the pod before it ejects because he refuses to abandon a plane full of innocent lives. Not once does Marshall abuse his power. He even won a Medal of Honor for flying rescue missions!
Most importantly for gung-ho viewers of a certain disposition,Marshall unrepentantly kicks ass. This is the kind of guy who triggers literal in-movie applause after he announces his name, and Ford dons his sweaty, bleeding, put-upon hero look as easily as a pair of socks.He bites out crabby one-liners, dispensesplatonic cheek kisses, and fires off bullets. And, of course, there’s the legendary declaration that became a pop culture meme when the internet was still nascent: Marshall seizes Korshunov by his shirt collar, seethes with defiant loathing, and spit-growls, “get off my plane” before tossing him out the open hatch. Essentially, he’sThe West Wing’s Jed Bartlet (Martin Sheen) with a machine gun. And who butHarrison Ford at the height of his renowncould sincerely, gleefully manage that? It’s witchcraft.
‘Air Force One’ Marked the End of an Era
Air Force Oneproducers initially offeredthe role of Marshall toKevin Costner. Costner was too busy and insisted no actor accept the role except Ford. It might be nostalgia talking, but it’s impossible to imagine anyone else helming this popcorn blockbuster. Ford was in his 50s, andAir Force Onedistills his career into a frozen-in-amber moment: his appeal, his easy yet resonant presence, and his back-to-back achievements. Make no mistake, he’s no one trick pony. Ford slid naturally into a rom-com persona forWorking Girl, sought quieter, more complex roles likeWitness, and played against type inThe FugitiveandWhat Lies Beneath. The latter film dares to predicate its twist upon the assumption of Ford always being a good guy.Those roles aside, Ford always evokes a sense of safety. No matter the hardships portrayed onscreen, good will triumph, and viewers will have a damn good time at the movies.
So how didAir Force Onepull that off? It’s a prime example of “right place, right time.” Ford was a beloved figure who never rested on his cinematic laurels, butthe quality of his films dippedin the 2000s.Firewallis a forgettable waste of everyone involved,Cowboys & Alienswas a divisive flop, and we don’t talk aboutIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Audience tastes were slowly shifting away from traditional action blockbusters, especially with superhero material growing in popularity.Star Wars: The Force Awakensushered in a new era of reboots in which Ford participated. His name will always be a draw, and betweenYellowstone: 1923,Shrinking, and joining the MCU inCaptain America: New World Order, Ford hasno plans to retire. ButAir Force Oneunintentionally marked the upcoming end of an era. Ford would remain, but within 15 years, the time ofthe original mid-budget filmwould, unfortunately, be over.
‘Air Force One’ Proves Will Never Be Anyone Like Harrison Ford
Air Force Onewas one of 1997’s box office giants. It earned $315 million worldwide, an impressive feat in the same yearTitanicdominated everything. There are many reasons it’s a movie that wouldn’t be made today. Its particular brand of rah-rah patriotism and assured belief in American invincibility leaves a foul taste. Western cinema shrugging off some of that Jingoistic arrogance is a vast improvement, but instead of continuing to depict healthy, selfless masculinity alaAir Force One, we haveGerard Butler’s grim B-movie extremism.
Harrison Ford’s President Marshall is just a dude with relatable personality quirks. He doesn’t seek violence but enacts it to protect his loved ones, andhis crooked smileis like cracking open a pot of gold. In turn, Harrison Ford as an actor isan irreplaceable gift. Han Solo andIndiana Joneskickstarted his contributions to film, but consistently strong efforts likeAir Force Onecemented his legacy as one of the last living people who can truly be called a movie star. No IPs need apply.
Air Force Oneis available to rent on Prime Video in the U.S.
