The film follows Cameron Poe (played by Nicolas Cage), a former U.S. Army Ranger who is sentenced to prison for manslaughter after accidentally killing a man in a bar fight while defending his pregnant wife. After serving his sentence, Poe is granted parole and prepares to reunite with his family.
However, Poe’s plans are disrupted when he boards a prison transport plane, “Jailbird,” to be transferred to a new facility. The plane is carrying some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, including Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom (played by John Malkovich), a notorious mastermind who plans to hijack the plane and escape with his fellow convicts.
As the hijacking unfolds, Poe becomes the only hope for the passengers and crew. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he uses his military training and resourcefulness to fight back against the hijackers and protect the innocent lives on board.
Meanwhile, U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (played by John Cusack) works with the authorities on the ground to track the hijacked plane and coordinate a rescue operation. With the help of Poe’s wife, Tricia (played by Monica Potter), who discovers the hijacking through news reports, Larkin gathers intelligence and prepares to intercept the plane before it’s too late.
In the climax of the film, Poe confronts Cyrus and his fellow hijackers in a final showdown on the plane’s rooftop. With the help of his allies, including fellow inmate Baby-O (played by Mykelti Williamson) and DEA agent Duncan Malloy (played by Colm Meaney), Poe manages to defeat Cyrus and his henchmen, securing the safety of the passengers and crew.
In the end, Poe reunites with his wife and daughter, who are waiting for him at the airfield. Despite the chaos and danger he faced, Poe is grateful for the opportunity to finally be with his family again, knowing that he played a crucial role in saving lives and bringing the criminals to justice.
“Con Air” is praised for its thrilling action sequences, intense performances, and memorable characters. It’s a high-octane thrill ride that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish, showcasing the heroism of an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances.