Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Mar 17, 2026 3.5/5

There are well-established systems for action-thrillers like this to enjoy a smooth coast down the runway. But they mean absolutely nothing without a well-rated professional like Kurt Russell in complete control of every last instrument on the panel.

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Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media May 22, 2024

Tipped as a starry hot property upon its release in 1996, this aviation thriller unfortunately proves to be weighed down by some serious excess baggage.

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Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Mar 10, 2022 2.5/4

For moviegoers, the nerve gas might be no more irritating than the film's preposterous plotting.

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Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 11, 2020 7/10

Takes itself very seriously and, though filled with action movie tropes, never becomes a joke.

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Tom Long Santa Cruz Sentinel Jan 30, 2019

Executive Decision is indeed fun to watch if you like bang-bang thrillers. It's nowhere near as inventive and mad as John Woo's recent Broken Arrow, and it rather pointedly. But it has just enough of its own personality.

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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Sep 7, 2011 C+

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Aug 13, 2011 3.5/4

A smart, adult thriller...

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Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Jul 30, 2007 D

It finally gives us what Hollywood has been threatening for years, the movie nobody was waiting for: "Airport '96."

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Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 8, 2005 4/5

A nerve-racking thriller that's more topical today than it was in 1996.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 22, 2005 3/5

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Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Dec 22, 2004 2.5/4

Take a late-blooming action star and an action hero whose career is in a downslide, and you get an action film seriously lacking in... action.

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Nick Davis Nick's Flick Picks Nov 6, 2004 0/5

Laughably, inexcusably, abjectly awful. How can I even count the ways?

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Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Aug 22, 2003 2/5

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Leonard Schwarz Palo Alto Weekly May 20, 2003 2.5/4

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Desson Thomson Washington Post May 20, 2003

Satisfying junk food.

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Alex Sandell Juicy Cerebellum Apr 22, 2003 3/5

Seagal's best movie - due largely in part to the fact that he's barely in it.

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Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Mar 16, 2003 B

Although the formula may be old, it is expertly handled.

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Shannon J. Harvey Sunday Times (Australia) Feb 12, 2003 0/5

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Rob Vaux Flipside Movie Emporium Jan 22, 2003 3/5

A dishearteningly jingoistic thriller, saved by sharp action scenes and a few decent surprises.

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Dragan Antulov rec.arts.movies.reviews Dec 4, 2002 6/10

Russell plays this role very well, relying more on his intellectual image than muscles in the same manner as his character who uses more brain and less physical power to achieve his task.

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