
Entertainment
Share
Published 17:40 12 Sept 2024 BST
Updated 10:03 22 Mar 2025 GMT

With movies like Copshop, Den of Thieves and Greenland - Gerard Butler has been on a run of starring in very solid, mid-budget action films that punch above their weight.
Another recent example of this is 2023 flick Plane, which is now streaming on Netflix. It sees the Scottish actor play a commercial pilot named Brodie Torrance who saves the passengers on his plane from a lightning strike by landing on a war-torn island.
It turns out this is only the beginning of Torrance and the passengers' problems, however, as most of the latter wind up being taken hostage by dangerous rebels.
"The only person Torrance can count on for help is Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter, Luke Cage), an accused murderer who was being transported by the FBI on the plane," the plot synopsis reads.
"In order to rescue the passengers, Torrance will need Gaspare's help, and will learn there's more to Gaspare than meets the eye."
Directed by action veteran Jean-François Richet (Assault on Precinct 13, Blood Father), Plane's fast-paced and suspenseful story, its muscular action set-pieces and its likeable lead turns from Butler and Colter should satisfy fans of the genre.
Holding a very good 79% critics score and 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, you can read a sample of some of the reviews for the movie right here:
The Daily Beast: "Arguably the best of Hollywood’s old-school action heroes, Butler is in fine macho form in Jean-François Richet’s feature."
Hollywood Reporter: "[Butler] is an engaging, charismatic presence, and Plane is the sort of breathlessly paced suspenser that barely leaves a moment for audiences to stop suspending their disbelief."
The Ringer: "The gloriously named Plane is yet another action movie that showcases [Butler's] talents, and proof that they just don’t make ’em like this anymore."
Time Out: "This is just the kind of tosh you want it to be. Brisk, easy, brutish. It has explosions, punch-ups, shoot-outs and more than one bit where someone gets smacked in the face with a big hammer. How much more could you reasonably ask? It’s a blast."
Tribune News Service: "If you go into it expecting nothing more than to enjoy watching a sweaty Butler manhandle some bad guys while Colter manhandles him, you’ll be more than satisfied with the ride “Plane” offers — a well-executed hunk of pulpy entertainment."
Plane is streaming on Netflix in the UK and Ireland right now.
Read more:

The JOE Film Club Quiz: Week 108
Entertainment
The JOE Film Club Quiz: Week 107
Entertainment
‘Rip-off’ contracts costing Brits £576 a year
Entertainment
The JOE Film Club Quiz: Week 108
Movie fans, assemble! Welcome to the 108th entry in The JOE Film Club Quiz. This week, we are presenting players with stills from 10 movies. They then must select which film the images are from based on three options. Have what it takes? Play below and find out. Name the movie Backrooms Obsession Hokum Name […]
Entertainment
1 day ago
Venice Film Festival 2026 lineup revealed, led by Danny Boyle’s ‘Ink’
The Venice Film Festival 2026 lineup was unveiled on Thursday, with the 83rd edition of one of the world’s most prestigious film events set to open with the world premiere of Danny Boyle’s “Ink”. Artistic director Alberto Barbera and Biennale di Venezia president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco confirmed the competition and sidebar selections at a press conference […]
Entertainment
3 days ago
Entertainment
The JOE Film Club Quiz: Week 106
Entertainment