This happened to be on, and I wasn't really doing anything else at the time. It's a made-for-TV thriller about tension on an airborne plane. Those tend to be pretty formulaic, and this is certainly no exception. It's average as they come, if it'll basically get the job done. The developments are all entirely predictable(care to take a guess if anyone panics?), and some of the dialog is really poor. With two exceptions, the cast is all nobodies, and it shows; the acting varies greatly, and there are definitely cases of scenery-chewing. None of the characters are memorable. The development of them is decent. Anyway, Jack Wagner takes a break from appearing in the fantasies of female Melrose Place viewers and returns to the small screen, and he's enjoyable enough to watch. Ernie Hudson brings some of his coolness to this, but as you may already know, his presence does not on its own a good flick make. The suspense and such are fine, if you just remember to pretend you don't know exactly where things are going. Honestly, you don't need to have seen any of these to be able to tell, the clichés are known by most. The way it's shot and edited is OK. I recommend this to fans of this kind of movie. 5/10
16 Reviews
Good TVM *** out of *****
Welshfilmfan26 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of many disaster TVM's, this time it's a jet liner heading from Sydney to L.A - It starts with a man boarding a Plane and leaving a bomb on board before faking illness and departing before take-off, why? because his ex-wife is on board along with her new husband who works for the Airline company in question, so it's time for revenge.
It's full of clichés from every single movie of it's genre, but the acting is pretty good by all especially Soap actor Jack Wagner & Ernie Hudson (Winston from Ghostbusters)
This TVM was clearly low budget - it uses footage from Hollywood Movie 'Executive Decision' for various scenes showing the outside of the aircraft, but the budget it does have, the Director (whose a veteran of these kind of TVM's) uses it very well & he tries to crank up the tension as best he can.
All in All, you've seen this before, better on a larger budget, but for what it is, it's pretty good
It's full of clichés from every single movie of it's genre, but the acting is pretty good by all especially Soap actor Jack Wagner & Ernie Hudson (Winston from Ghostbusters)
This TVM was clearly low budget - it uses footage from Hollywood Movie 'Executive Decision' for various scenes showing the outside of the aircraft, but the budget it does have, the Director (whose a veteran of these kind of TVM's) uses it very well & he tries to crank up the tension as best he can.
All in All, you've seen this before, better on a larger budget, but for what it is, it's pretty good
Decent, But Nothing Out Of The Ordinary
sddavis6329 July 2001
A pretty standard airline suspense story about a bomb planted on a 747 on a flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles. There's some decent suspense, but the whole thing is pretty cliché (time clock clicking down to the last few seconds, the usual brief shots of faces taut with the strain, etc.), and the performances are average at best.
What really bugged me in this movie was why the writers felt the need to have an FBI agent conveniently present in Sydney when the threat was phoned in, and not only present but becoming front and centre in the search for the bomber. Maybe I'm being too sensitive here, but I rather suspect that the Australian police wouldn't need the FBI's help in what seemed to be a pretty routine piece of policework. That just made the whole thing too American-centred (with no discernible reason or need for it) for my liking.
Overall, though, it's an average to decent movie. 5/10.
What really bugged me in this movie was why the writers felt the need to have an FBI agent conveniently present in Sydney when the threat was phoned in, and not only present but becoming front and centre in the search for the bomber. Maybe I'm being too sensitive here, but I rather suspect that the Australian police wouldn't need the FBI's help in what seemed to be a pretty routine piece of policework. That just made the whole thing too American-centred (with no discernible reason or need for it) for my liking.
Overall, though, it's an average to decent movie. 5/10.
One of TBS's best originals!
The Peacemaker21 May 2000
This is a great show. They put suspense into saving, not the world, but a single 747. And it's no secret agent doing it. It's just a regular pilot. And his co-pilot. Original plot about a psycho out for revenge. He bombs a plane, and while they have to disarm it, the FBI's gotta catch him in order to find out how to disarm the bomb. When he dies, the greatest (and almost only) hope for the plane explodes itself. What's kind of stupid is the moment they think they've disarmed the bomb- almost the very second- they learn there's a back-up trigger. But it's still a lot of suspense for 1 plane. I'm impressed with TBS.
Seen "Executive Decision" ?
nymoosi26 October 2002
What a ridiculuous movie. The plane they are using is a copy, even the NAME from Executive Decision. The same boring plot as all the other plane movies combined with "B" type acting and terrible animation equalling this horror. Oh and COME ON.... landing lights at 39,000 feet? LOL - TBS.. get a clue!
Made in 2000 with scripts from the 70s
Haze127 May 2002
This is one of the worst things I have seen on TV. I would have accepted it if it would have been made in the 70s or 80s. Nowhere to Land has all the stupid things you remember from the films from that time. For example:
There is a bomb on a plane in Nowhere to Land witch every one know will explode in very short time. The situation is really hectic but there is always time for a the typical "time stop" that you see in American movies. Here we have everything from a nice speech from pilot to wife... a kiss and some talk between a boy and a girl before jumping out of the airplane. All this while the bomb is ticking or deadly gas is spreading in the cabin.
The bomb releases a danger gas that are spreading through the cabin. But instead of running away from it the crew always looks at it first for about 10 seconds and then run.
The pilots teacher and former co-pilot is on the plane and dies quite heroically in the end trying to move the bomb further away from the passenger. However the movie ends in pure happiness like we should have forgotten all about him.
Nowhere to Land includes most of the old clichés that we have seen over and over again and are sick of seeing. Therefore I think it would have been better to make this a comedy and change the title to "Not another plane movie".
There is a bomb on a plane in Nowhere to Land witch every one know will explode in very short time. The situation is really hectic but there is always time for a the typical "time stop" that you see in American movies. Here we have everything from a nice speech from pilot to wife... a kiss and some talk between a boy and a girl before jumping out of the airplane. All this while the bomb is ticking or deadly gas is spreading in the cabin.
The bomb releases a danger gas that are spreading through the cabin. But instead of running away from it the crew always looks at it first for about 10 seconds and then run.
The pilots teacher and former co-pilot is on the plane and dies quite heroically in the end trying to move the bomb further away from the passenger. However the movie ends in pure happiness like we should have forgotten all about him.
Nowhere to Land includes most of the old clichés that we have seen over and over again and are sick of seeing. Therefore I think it would have been better to make this a comedy and change the title to "Not another plane movie".
Shot Down in Flames
Bcaldc1014 May 2001
Could it be possible for a film to have any more worn cliches as this film? Another airliner in trouble. Another heroic captain saving the passengers from certain doom. There was absolutely zero suspense and zero originality here. As the plane's pilot Jack Wagner was awful. All smirk and smarm and no hint of realism. When making your viewing reservations be sure to book another flight. This one was grounded for mechanical defects.
Very gripping
little-miss-chocolate17 November 2005
I only saw the last 15 minutes of this film, so I cannot say what the overall film was like, however, the part I saw was very good. The acting was very impressive, and the fear was very believable. I was very scared, just from that fifteen minutes, and when it finished I realised that I was shaking, I had been so frightened. Usually when I am channel hopping, I don't stop at films. This one had me gripped from the moment I selected its channel. I, personally recommend it to anyone who likes lots of tension in a film. The only down side is, I never want to go on an American airline now. I really want to see the rest of what promises to be a great film.
"I am serious, and don't call me Shirley!"
FloridaFred16 September 2018
The only actor missing from this cliché bomb-on-a-plane movie is Leslie Nielsen. Mildly entertaining, but rather predictable and at times pedestrian. Too much time spent on character development at the beginning. Also, even though this movie was made before the tragic events of 9-11, there are far too many holes in Security that allow the psycho to plant his bomb on the plane. And do bombs really have clocks with large red digital countdown numbers on the front? Worth a watch, but don't expect too much. I give the film 5 stars out of 10.
Terror In The Sky!!!
rmax3048236 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
There is nothing new under the sun or under the clouds for that matter.
Here are two quick ways to tell if a suspense thriller is going to be aimed at those above the mental age of fourteen or below. These tests are infallible. (1) The camera is perched behind someone's shoulder. The performer picks up a mirror and looks into it. If his reflected face is staring out of the mirror directly at YOU, the viewer, instead of at himself, the audience is still enjoying its physical growth spurt. (2) The villain has set up a time bomb, devised to explode at a certain moment. If anyone views its internal milieu, there is a red digital read out that counts the hours, minutes, and seconds left. Why the bomb maker would want to add this convenient fillip remains a mystery to all but the screenwriters. If both warning signs are present, don't expect much in the way of sophistication. If only one is present, the movie enters liminal status.
I don't see that there is any need to run through this tired plot with its tired characters. You know the troublemaker aboard every airplane in jeopardy? He's the guy who's angry and frightened, gets in everyone's hair, demands to know what's going on. He's here, along with the heroic pilot, the youngsters who fall in love under stress, the anxious flight attendants. I missed the little old lady whose prayers save the airplane though. And it's too bad they couldn't have the sick kid aboard, the one that needs a kidney transplant or a transfusion of a rare blood type. Their absence leaves the viewer feeling incomplete, a jigsaw puzzle complete except for half a dozen missing pieces.
Not that the film doesn't have its good points. Ernie Hudson has a nice role, for instance, and he's a fine supporting actor. He gave me a good deal of reassurance when he and I were performing in "Weeds" together. "Weeds" is so good, so sublime, that no English word can describe it. It's just superb. (That's the French "superb", not the English.) Except for one essential to the story, we're at least spared multiple back stories of the passengers. And the airplane didn't have to fly through a CGI-created thunderstorm, probably because the budget didn't allow it.
Still, it's a thought-provoking movie. The thought it provokes is: "Man was never meant to fly."
Here are two quick ways to tell if a suspense thriller is going to be aimed at those above the mental age of fourteen or below. These tests are infallible. (1) The camera is perched behind someone's shoulder. The performer picks up a mirror and looks into it. If his reflected face is staring out of the mirror directly at YOU, the viewer, instead of at himself, the audience is still enjoying its physical growth spurt. (2) The villain has set up a time bomb, devised to explode at a certain moment. If anyone views its internal milieu, there is a red digital read out that counts the hours, minutes, and seconds left. Why the bomb maker would want to add this convenient fillip remains a mystery to all but the screenwriters. If both warning signs are present, don't expect much in the way of sophistication. If only one is present, the movie enters liminal status.
I don't see that there is any need to run through this tired plot with its tired characters. You know the troublemaker aboard every airplane in jeopardy? He's the guy who's angry and frightened, gets in everyone's hair, demands to know what's going on. He's here, along with the heroic pilot, the youngsters who fall in love under stress, the anxious flight attendants. I missed the little old lady whose prayers save the airplane though. And it's too bad they couldn't have the sick kid aboard, the one that needs a kidney transplant or a transfusion of a rare blood type. Their absence leaves the viewer feeling incomplete, a jigsaw puzzle complete except for half a dozen missing pieces.
Not that the film doesn't have its good points. Ernie Hudson has a nice role, for instance, and he's a fine supporting actor. He gave me a good deal of reassurance when he and I were performing in "Weeds" together. "Weeds" is so good, so sublime, that no English word can describe it. It's just superb. (That's the French "superb", not the English.) Except for one essential to the story, we're at least spared multiple back stories of the passengers. And the airplane didn't have to fly through a CGI-created thunderstorm, probably because the budget didn't allow it.
Still, it's a thought-provoking movie. The thought it provokes is: "Man was never meant to fly."
Good film!
Movie Nuttball19 January 2005
Nowhere to Land is a fair film! It stars Ernie Hudson, Jack Wagner, Christine Elise, James Sikking, Mark Lee, Rachael Blake, Helen Thomson, Damian Pike, and Laurie Foel. The acting by all of these actors is very good. Hudson is really great in this film! The action is good. The music is good. The film is quite exciting and the movie keeps you going until the finale. This is a very good and thrilling film. Just ignore the bad comments and give this film a try! If you Ernie Hudson, Jack Wagner, Christine Elise, James Sikking, and the rest of the cast I've mentioned above, thrillers, air plane disaster films, and exciting non-stop action films then I recommend this film!
Plane Disaster Bore Fest!
cynet-5233214 April 2024
Ok it's a TV movie and yeah it's done on a budget especially as they have used stock clips from better plane disaster movies.
First of all no way the security would have allowed that ornament on the plane with all that wiring in the case so already the B. S meter is alive and kicking.
Acting is rather wooden with some of the characters and in truth it's a case of nobody cares with regards to each character as zero character development.
I was wishing the whole plane would crash killing them all as they were all stupid and as interesting as paint drying on the wall.
The would be nerve gas terrorist was just so dull it made me switch off constantly.
Is this worth your watch?
No is the answer and how people gave this high numbers of rating beggars belief but trust me when I tell you this * Films Sucks Goats Balls*
First of all no way the security would have allowed that ornament on the plane with all that wiring in the case so already the B. S meter is alive and kicking.
Acting is rather wooden with some of the characters and in truth it's a case of nobody cares with regards to each character as zero character development.
I was wishing the whole plane would crash killing them all as they were all stupid and as interesting as paint drying on the wall.
The would be nerve gas terrorist was just so dull it made me switch off constantly.
Is this worth your watch?
No is the answer and how people gave this high numbers of rating beggars belief but trust me when I tell you this * Films Sucks Goats Balls*
Paint-by-number airline bomb story (predictable spoiler)
Jeramie8 December 2000
Warning: Spoilers
No properly designed bomb is complete without a big red countdown timer. Also, the device must be placed such that the timer is plainly visible at all times to the public. The construction of the bomb must include wires that have universal significance of their color pattern and connection methods.
But not only did the bomb maker read a step-by-step How-To guide, so did the story writers. Every suggestion beyond defusing the bomb was met with a singular one-line excuse to the contrary, without a second thought. The inevitable Hollywood last-second wire cut. Many simplistic and safer possibilities weren't considered... toss it out an opened door? Break a few windows to blow the gas outside? Simply pop out the test tubes before detonation? Tape (and seal) the lid shut? One or all of these ideas in combination?
Oh well, back to my Hollywood How-To guides.
But not only did the bomb maker read a step-by-step How-To guide, so did the story writers. Every suggestion beyond defusing the bomb was met with a singular one-line excuse to the contrary, without a second thought. The inevitable Hollywood last-second wire cut. Many simplistic and safer possibilities weren't considered... toss it out an opened door? Break a few windows to blow the gas outside? Simply pop out the test tubes before detonation? Tape (and seal) the lid shut? One or all of these ideas in combination?
Oh well, back to my Hollywood How-To guides.
Could have been a perfect sequel to Speed
steeleronaldr21 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Not many disaster flick's from TV are really worth the time and energy. Every now and then though one does come along and is totally watchable. I have sat through this movie at least a dozen times and each time my eyes are glued to the screen. The concept, plot and action are all here. A scorned ex-husband is after his ex-wife and her new husband and doesn't care about Collateral damage. Yes I agree the movie has it's flaw's but then again which movie doesn't have flaw's. I've seen big budgets with flaw's so this being a low budget is only expected. Some of these reviews however nick and pick at each scene and find more reasons not to like the movie. This one I agree should have been used for the sequel to Speed, it had everything needed. Plus non-stop right to the end, a few scenes I admit were a bit out of place but overall the movie worked.
Jack Wagner as the pilot Jack Prescott was pretty good considering and his copilot Christine Elsie was equally good. Ernie Hudson as the bomb expert was a treat. Together they ignite the screen, if only this was treated with a bigger budget and more named star's could have been a box office hit.
The plot was fairly simple with it being revenge, they could have casted a better actress to play the ex-wife but we see things like that in many movies. Right from the beginning the movie picks up and doesn't let off until the last frame. Passengers in a tube in the air with a biochemical bomb on board places them all in harm's way. A race to land and evacuate 300 passengers is thrilling. For this being a low budget I can only imagine how it would have been if it were a big budget. The story itself makes up for a lot of the flaws and at times poor acting but above this movie delivers the goods.
Jack Wagner as the pilot Jack Prescott was pretty good considering and his copilot Christine Elsie was equally good. Ernie Hudson as the bomb expert was a treat. Together they ignite the screen, if only this was treated with a bigger budget and more named star's could have been a box office hit.
The plot was fairly simple with it being revenge, they could have casted a better actress to play the ex-wife but we see things like that in many movies. Right from the beginning the movie picks up and doesn't let off until the last frame. Passengers in a tube in the air with a biochemical bomb on board places them all in harm's way. A race to land and evacuate 300 passengers is thrilling. For this being a low budget I can only imagine how it would have been if it were a big budget. The story itself makes up for a lot of the flaws and at times poor acting but above this movie delivers the goods.
Perhaps Somewhere to Land (Spoiler)
jjdubs-27 January 2001
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler: At one point the plane has descended below 5000 feet and no problems. Did the plane have enough fuel to make it to, say, Denver or some other city or field with a higher elevation? That way the plane could land without triggering the device.
Fairly suspenseful for a TV movie.
TxMike27 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this on DVD. My neighbors bought it as part of a 2 for 1 on the single disk. The sound is ProLogic and the picture is fine, but nothing special.
The premise is, a plane load of tourists are leaving Australia to fly home to Los Angeles. One passenger is a woman and her new husband on their honeymoon. But she is being watched by her ex husband, an engineer, who has not gotten over the heartbreak of the split. So he is planning revenge.
Jack Wagner is the Captain of the flight, John Prescott. His co-pilot is cute Christine Elise as Kim McGee. As they are going along in this routine flight, they are jolted by a phone call telling of an explosive device aboard the plane. Ernie Hudson is Danny Gorlin, Los Angeles bomb expert, who has to abort his planned attendance at the Lakers game to try and talk Prescott through de-fusing the device.
For a TV movie, it is fairly well made, and the acting is good.
The premise is, a plane load of tourists are leaving Australia to fly home to Los Angeles. One passenger is a woman and her new husband on their honeymoon. But she is being watched by her ex husband, an engineer, who has not gotten over the heartbreak of the split. So he is planning revenge.
Jack Wagner is the Captain of the flight, John Prescott. His co-pilot is cute Christine Elise as Kim McGee. As they are going along in this routine flight, they are jolted by a phone call telling of an explosive device aboard the plane. Ernie Hudson is Danny Gorlin, Los Angeles bomb expert, who has to abort his planned attendance at the Lakers game to try and talk Prescott through de-fusing the device.
For a TV movie, it is fairly well made, and the acting is good.
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