Ground Control

1998 "No Radar. No Contact. No Control."
5.7| 1h38m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 26 August 1998 Released
Producted By: Green Communications
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

An air-traffic controller quits after a plane crash but, years later, goes to help an airport that is in the path of a terrible storm.

Watch Online

Ground Control (1998) is now streaming with subscription on Prime Video

Director

Richard Howard

Production Companies

Green Communications

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

Stream on any device, 30-day free trial
Watch Now
Ground Control Videos and Images
  • Top Credited Cast
  • |
  • Crew

Ground Control Audience Reviews

Freaktana A Major Disappointment
SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
LeonLouisRicci Mediocre, By the Numbers (there are a lot of numbers, too many to count, in this one), Air Traffic Control Drama. One gets the Idea that this was made to "Spit" in the Face of President Ronald Reagan (there's even a poster on the wall) but by the Time it was made, Reagan was in the Nursing Home, so probably didn't have a Clue.Reagan started the "Demonization" of Unions with His Firing of the ATC who went on Strike. The Rest is History (now mostly unspoken in Conservative circles) because these were Real People with Real High Tech, High Stress, Jobs and were Dedicated Patriots who were just Collective Bargaining for Better Pay and Benefits.This Movie makes it Clear that these Folks should not have been Fired or "Demonized", but Rewarded for Their Skill and Dedication. It's a Cheaply Made Movie that wasn't Released Theatrically in the USA (only in Italy).Kiefer Sutherland leads a Good Cast. There is some Bad Acting Silliness (Henry Winkler) and some Awful Low-Budget Sets, and the Script is one Cliché after another. But if this Type of Thing is to Your Liking, it can be an Entertaining Time Passer with Low Expectations, but don't Expect Many Surprises.
Amy Adler Jack Harris (Kiefer Sutherland) is an air traffic controller in Chicago, one of the best of the crew. His boss (Bruce McGill) values him highly. But, one tragic day, a plane goes down shortly after takeoff, killing over 150 passengers. Although it was NOT his fault, Jack goes off the deep end. In time, we learn he started drinking, went to re-hab and currently holds a job as a programmer for traffic control software. Flash forwarding a few years, the Chicago crew has a new boss, Susan (Kelly McGillis) who is out to prove something, even when it puts her underlings at risk. The operations manager (Henry Winkler) tries to tell her she is cutting corners with equipment while the comptroller (Michael Gross) is constantly annoying everyone. New AT controller Julie (Kristy Swanson) appears to be more timid than she should be. Things again comes to a crisis at the center, as Susan accepts more planes from a shut-down airport and some staff is off for the holidays. In desperation, the manager reaches out to Jack to "come back" to the station and help out NOW. Once there, will Mr. Harris have the skills and serenity to avoid another catastrophe? Will he be a hero or another victim? This by- the-book thriller has its good points, surely. The cast is the greatest asset, as the flat script is improved with their readings. Gross is a snarly hoot, as far from his understanding father in Families Ties as one can get. There is not much in the way of sets or costumes, as most action takes place inside the air traffic hub. Perhaps the direction deserves more than faint praise, for even with its formulaic premise, the movie does hold a viewer's interest. Therefore, if you like the cast members or disaster-themed films, this one will do for you.
Jan Larsen I wish just once film makers would stay consistent with their aircraft (it's not that hard, and very noticeable) a 747 was crashing at the beginning, but with L1011 wreckage. Then the 747 "Transgolf" turns into a 737 on the outside and a 727 on the inside, lovely. Plus, everything just goes wrong doesn't it. The "Transgolf" plane incident seems remarkably familiar to the United plane that crash-landed in Cedar Rapids, IA a few years back too.All in all it's somewhat fun to watch but you have to realize that it's so obviously stupid and these seemingly minor inconsistencies bring down the quality of the film so much.
Tom DeFelice ...judging from "Ground Control", a near infinite number.There is the brilliant hero whose career is shattered by an accident he could not stop. There is the crusty, but likable boss running the day-to-day work, who will do anything to get, his friend, the hero to go back to the only job he was meant to do. There is the ambitious female executive who will cut any corner to make the higher-ups promote her. There is the affable engineer who with little money to work with, uses his brains and talent to keep the equipment working; all the while fighting the powers-that-be for enough cash to keep everything functioning. There is the hotshot controller with a constant stick of gum in his mouth who considers the hero a has-been that doesn't belong; but comes to respect him for his work. There is the safety guy, who has given up on being a real man and only nit-picks in order to destroy the other controllers. There is the new girl, mousy and afraid, who by the end becomes confident and...takes of her glasses to reveal a beautiful woman. There is...You get the point. The story is as original as the characters. The production is good and very professional. The pacing fine. The acting is fine. All in all, an okay film with a company of likable actors and okay (if modest) special effects. Just don't see it after you've seen "Airplane!".