So firstly, I understand the idea of starting a series of reviewing 90s action movies in 2026 is far from timely and possibly an insane pursuit. Talk about being on trend. I am also beginning this hesitantly, with the knowledge that my memory may not quite be able to fully process the problematic nature of some of these films. The 90s aren't known for being 'woke', though I bemoan the term. Then there is, of course, the fear that I am remembering these films through rose-tinted glasses. What Pandora's box am I about to open? But in the words of Chaucer; nothing ventured, nothing gained - so here we go.

Why 90s action movies?
Firstly, this was perhaps the “golden era" for the genre. This decade produced some of the most influential and technically impressive action films ever made. Even today films such as Terminator 2 (1991) and The Matrix (1999) are loved and held as bastions of the genre. Filmmakers relied heavily on practical effects, real locations, and physical stunts, that have meant these movies stand the test of time more so then the CGI heavy movies of the 2000s. They felt real, tangible, raw. Still holding the camp 80s vibes with more grounded storytelling. Studios dolled out big budgets, and names such as Schwarzenegger and Willis became legendary. The cinema wasn't yet dominated by massive franchises or superhero cinematic universes, and movies lived or died on their own merit.

With all this in mind, I will begin my deep-dive with what my 10-year-old self thought was one of the greatest films of all time. Air Force One; the 1997 Harrison Ford blockbuster. Set aboard the US president's infamous personal aeroplane; Russian terrorists hijack and take the passengers hostage, leaving only Vietnam War hero and president James Marshall to save the day.

In my memory, it has everything you could possibly want and need. Guns, planes, explosions. Gary Oldman with a cartoon Russian accent and a goatee. Harrison Ford beating the crap out of people in a suit and crying at the end. Glenn Close in a business suit and blonde quiff. Betrayal, dramatic music and a gory over-the-top villain death following a witty quip. I have a vivid memory of watching it upstairs as the adults had a New Year’s Eve party downstairs. I remember it being fantastic, exciting, enthralling. I remember being completely in love with this “grown-up” movie, with swearing and violence. I won't examine what that means about me as a child and instead move on to now me's feelings.

What will this movie be like as a rewatch? How will the Vicks of her mid-thirties feel about it? The actual facts are that this movie was a financial success. Grossing over $315million on an $82 million budget making it at the time the highest-grossing Rated R movie. It was given generally good reviews and has been remembered fondly. So I settled in for a rewatch with apprehension.

And... I enjoyed it! The film is pretty solid. It's preposterous and melodramatic but filled with genuine suspense and fun action sequences. Gary Oldman's performance is unsurprisingly great, as is Ford and the supporting cast. In fact, it's the strong performances that make me forgive the blatant cliché-ridden dialogue. The ending is ridiculous, but I can't bring myself to hold it against them. I also enjoyed the villains are all lain out for you straight away. It takes very little brain power to follow the story.

Having said that, there were a few aspects that did hit different this time. The film is clearly portraying a anti Russian theme. Though not unusual in post cold-war era Hollywood it screams very much of us vs them, pro-military propaganda. There is also a lot more violence then I remember, especially a section involving a 12-year-old child that was more uncomfortable watching as an adult. With these aspects, the lack of reality in this script actually becomes a positive.

Ultimately, is it the ground-breaking, riveting story I conjured in my millennial memories. No! Is it worth a watch? Yes! It had all the familiar notes of the 90s action movie that makes this a safe bet if you like the genre. It is both exciting enough to watch and simple enough to keep up with while doom-scrolling. And for my own sake it gave me the warm nostalgia from childhood memories of watching a film you are definitely too young for.

Vicks Jenkins