Let me begin by saying that the performances are admirable. The actors really try to convey a sense of eeriness and horror. Unfortunately they're stuck with some of the worst dialogue I've ever heard.
The plot is interesting enough; nine people fall asleep on a flight from LA to Boston and when they awaken all that's on the seats next to them are change, retainers, and surgical pins. There are no other passengers. I don't remember seeing any clothes which seemed curious to me, but I digress. As they attempt to make sense of, and come to grips with, their plight they land their plane in Bangor, Maine. Luckily one of the sleeping passengers is a pilot.
Not a bad start, and some of the actors are able to pull it off. Bronson Pinchot is good as Craig Toomy, a businessman tortured by fear of his father and the mysterious Langoliers. Though he does tend to scenery chewing, I've never seen him in a part like this and thought he was quite good. My favorite was the always excellent David Morse as airline pilot Brian Engle. His calming presence is just what the travelers need. If I was on this flight I'd definitely want Captain Engle there. His quiet strength is a great contrast to Toomy's madness. David Morse has such a fabulous voice, so calm and soothing.
The other actors don't fare as well. Dean Stockwell gets stuck with an overly verbose mystery writer. You can hear the cheesy dimestore novel in every line. Mark Lindsey Chapman spews out every bit of cheesy English slang that can be found. Kate Maberly is the little blind girl who sees more than everyone else and gets stuck with some clunker lines. I also don't think she had quite the sense of calm dread that the character needed. Patricia Wettig (in a slight part, even though she's first billed, I believe) is the schoolteacher looking for excitement and adventure. She of course latches onto the little girl and the dashing, mysterious Brit. How she could pass up David Morse I'll never know. Then there's the opposites-attract teenagers, first-time grandfather machinist, and a constantly hungry businessman, which are pretty incidental characters.
If you can overlook shoddy dialogue and occasional melodrama, it's really pretty good. I think the story makes some interesting points about the past, present, and future and I really liked it. It's diverting and entertaining (though sometimes for the wrong reasons) and isn't that what movies are all about?
The plot is interesting enough; nine people fall asleep on a flight from LA to Boston and when they awaken all that's on the seats next to them are change, retainers, and surgical pins. There are no other passengers. I don't remember seeing any clothes which seemed curious to me, but I digress. As they attempt to make sense of, and come to grips with, their plight they land their plane in Bangor, Maine. Luckily one of the sleeping passengers is a pilot.
Not a bad start, and some of the actors are able to pull it off. Bronson Pinchot is good as Craig Toomy, a businessman tortured by fear of his father and the mysterious Langoliers. Though he does tend to scenery chewing, I've never seen him in a part like this and thought he was quite good. My favorite was the always excellent David Morse as airline pilot Brian Engle. His calming presence is just what the travelers need. If I was on this flight I'd definitely want Captain Engle there. His quiet strength is a great contrast to Toomy's madness. David Morse has such a fabulous voice, so calm and soothing.
The other actors don't fare as well. Dean Stockwell gets stuck with an overly verbose mystery writer. You can hear the cheesy dimestore novel in every line. Mark Lindsey Chapman spews out every bit of cheesy English slang that can be found. Kate Maberly is the little blind girl who sees more than everyone else and gets stuck with some clunker lines. I also don't think she had quite the sense of calm dread that the character needed. Patricia Wettig (in a slight part, even though she's first billed, I believe) is the schoolteacher looking for excitement and adventure. She of course latches onto the little girl and the dashing, mysterious Brit. How she could pass up David Morse I'll never know. Then there's the opposites-attract teenagers, first-time grandfather machinist, and a constantly hungry businessman, which are pretty incidental characters.
If you can overlook shoddy dialogue and occasional melodrama, it's really pretty good. I think the story makes some interesting points about the past, present, and future and I really liked it. It's diverting and entertaining (though sometimes for the wrong reasons) and isn't that what movies are all about?