Altitude Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An FBI agent tries to help a guy escape a plane full of surprisingly incompetent hijackers who really needed a physics lesson.

🍿 Altitude: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mid-Air Proposition

FBI agent Gretchen Blair is flying to Washington D.C. for a new desk job. Unexpectedly upgraded, she finds herself seated next to Terry, a mysterious man who makes an astonishing offer. Terry reveals that the plane is about to be hijacked and offers Gretchen seventy-five million dollars to ensure his safe return to the ground. Intrigued and suspicious, Gretchen is quickly thrust into a dangerous situation.

Hijacking Underway

Soon after Terry’s warning, a professional team takes control of the aircraft. Led by Matthew Sharpe, the hijackers aren’t terrorists but are focused on a mid-air heist. Gretchen realizes the full extent of the threat and Terry’s warning. Caught between her duty as an FBI agent and the massive sum offered, she must navigate the hijacked plane to protect the passengers and herself, while the thieves search the aircraft for something hidden.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gretchen Blair (Denise Richards): An FBI agent on a flight who is offered a large sum of money to protect a passenger from impending hijackers.
• Terry (Kirk Barker): A passenger targeted by the hijackers who offers FBI agent Gretchen Blair $75 million to get him safely off the plane.
• Matthew Sharpe (Dolph Lundgren): The leader of the professional thieves who take control of the airplane during a mid-air heist.
• Sadie (Greer Grammer): A key member of the hijacking crew, described as ruthless and gun-happy.
• Rawbones (Chuck Liddell): A physically formidable member of Matthew Sharpe’s hijacking team who provides muscle.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gretchen Blair: “You want me to help you steal the diamonds?” – Said by the FBI agent when the thief reveals his plan and proposition, presenting her with a moral dilemma.
• Terry McDonnell: “Cooperate, or people start dying.” – A threatening line delivered by one of the hijackers to assert control and pressure the passengers and crew.
• Matthew Sharp: “It’s not just about the money. There’s more at stake.” – The thief hints at a deeper motivation beyond the simple heist, complicating the situation for the FBI agent.
• Gretchen Blair: “I’m an FBI agent. My duty is to protect these people.” – Gretchen states her commitment to her job and the safety of the passengers, despite being offered a way out.
• Matthew Sharp: “Sometimes you have to break the rules to do what’s right.” – The thief tries to convince Gretchen to cooperate by arguing that the situation calls for unconventional methods.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $34,174

💥 Altitude Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into Altitude expecting a trainwreck, and honestly, it delivered! But in a weirdly fun way? Like, the plot makes absolutely no sense, and the physics are completely optional, but I was never bored. There’s this scene where someone does something utterly impossible on the wing during takeoff, and I just burst out laughing. And Denise Richards is trying *so* hard, bless her. It’s the kind of movie you watch with friends just to point and yell at the screen. It’s definitely not ‘good’ by traditional standards, but if you appreciate ambitious, low-budget absurdity and can turn your brain off, it’s an absolute riot. It felt like watching something from the 90s where they just went for it, logic be damned.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of low-budget or B-grade action films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy airplane-set thrillers”
  • “Those interested in seeing cast members like Denise Richards or Dolph Lundgren in a direct-to-video style movie”
  • “People who appreciate unintentionally humorous movie moments”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (fights, gun use)”
  • “Language (frequent strong language reported in reviews)”

Professional Reviews

• Action Film Aficionado: “Altitude attempts airborne thrills but struggles to stay aloft. The premise hints at a tense ride, but numerous logic gaps and a shaky script prevent it from soaring. Performances are serviceable, with Denise Richards putting in more effort than expected, but even she can’t overcome the film’s fundamental flaws. A B-movie that lands squarely in ‘miss’ territory.
• Genre Insights: “This direct-to-DVD entry feels like a throwback, but not in the good way. While there’s a certain low-budget charm for some, the movie is plagued by unbelievable scenarios and weak visual effects. Dolph Lundgren is present but underutilized. Fans of truly schlocky action might find unintentional amusement, but don’t expect ‘Die Hard’ on a plane; this is barely ‘Snakes on a Plane.’

Audience Reactions

The ridiculous physics and plot holes were a frequent source of bewildered amusement.: Some found it surprisingly entertaining as a ‘so bad it’s good’ B-movie or a nostalgic throwback.

The unrealistic nature of the airplane setting and events frustrated many viewers.: A few viewers appreciated the attempt at strong female action leads.

Overall Consensus: Largely seen as a deeply flawed B-action film with significant issues in plot, realism, and production values, though a small contingent of viewers found it unintentionally entertaining or appreciated its low-budget charm.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was primarily shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, which is a common location for direct-to-video and lower-budget productions due to tax incentives and available infrastructure.”
• “It features action star Dolph Lundgren in a supporting role, a common strategy for VOD action films to attract a specific audience.”
• “The movie’s premise of a confined space thriller (a hijacked plane) allowed for filming on a limited number of sets, likely contributing to a controlled budget.”
• “The director, Alex Merkin, has a history of directing action and thriller films often released directly to video or digital platforms.”

🖥️ How to Watch Altitude?

While ‘Altitude’ (also known as ‘Hijacked’) may not be available on major streaming subscriptions, you can often rent or purchase the movie digitally. Look for it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, or Google Play. Check these services for current availability and pricing options to watch this action-thriller.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Altitude, you might like these similar films:

• Passenger 57 (1992): A classic action thriller set on a plane where a security expert must deal with a hijacking, featuring intense confined-space action.
• Non-Stop (2014): Another modern action-thriller set entirely on a plane, featuring an air marshal trying to identify a killer amongst the passengers, similar themes of confinement and mystery.
• Inside Man (2006): Focuses on a complex heist and the tense negotiations between authorities and the perpetrator in a confined location (a bank), similar thematic elements of crime and strategy.
• The Commuter (2018): A mid-2010s action-thriller featuring a protagonist forced into a dangerous situation by a mysterious figure while trapped on a public transport vehicle (a train), similar era and confined-space action premise.
• Executive Decision (1996): Involves a hijacked plane situation with a team attempting to infiltrate it mid-flight, offering a different angle on the airplane hijacking thriller and appealing to fans of that subgenre.

🛒 Altitude Related Products

• Classic B-Action Movies Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): A curated collection of action-packed B-movies from the 80s and 90s, featuring over-the-top plots, practical effects, and familiar genre stars. Perfect for a night of nostalgic, unpretentious entertainment.
• Airliner Model Kit: Detailed scale model kit of a commercial airliner. Assemble and paint your own representation of the iconic setting for airborne thrillers.
• Action Movie Tropes Handbook: An illustrated guide humorously breaking down common clichés, plot devices, and character types found in action films, from the lone wolf hero to the impossible escape.
• Denise Richards / Dolph Lundgren Signed Memorabilia: Autographed photos or posters featuring the film’s key stars, Denise Richards and Dolph Lundgren. A must-have for dedicated collectors of these actors’ work.

🎧 Soundtrack

Altitude features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ride Of The Valkyries” – performed by Richard Wagner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The movie is called Altitude. What are your thoughts? #ytshort #foryou #fypシviral #movie #altitude

Wondering what others thought about ‘Altitude’? This short video gives a super quick take – watch it and see if you agree, or if it makes you want to share your own opinion!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eNmnKfs_Az8

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