Flight Risk 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Mel Gibson’s Disappointing Directorial Return to Gritty Action 

Mel Gibson has long been a master of visceral, high-stakes filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera. With Flight Risk (2025), he returns to the director’s chair with what should on paper be a relentless action-thriller that proves he hasn’t lost his touch, but doesn’t work out that way. Starring Mark Wahlberg in one of his most oddest performances yet as a bald villain, Flight Risk is a claustrophobic piece of airborne suspense that starts out hot but quickly loses steam. 

Plot Summary: A High-Stakes Crisis 

Flight Risk follows a disgraced US marshal, Madolyn (Michelle Dockery – Downton Abbey), who is given one last chance to redeem herself by escorting a federal witness, Winston (Topher Grace) across the Alaskan wilderness. However, mid-flight, Madolyn realizes the pilot, Daryl (Mark Wahlberg) flying them in their chartered plane, is not really who he says he is and is far more dangerous than she was led to believe—and the plane itself becomes a battleground. With her life and the life of her witness at stake and a shadowy conspiracy unfolding at 30,000 feet, Madolyn must outmaneuver both the Daryl and corrupt officials on the ground. 

The premise isn’t groundbreaking, but Dockery’s acting elevates it. The film borrows elements from Non-Stop (2014) and Air Force One (1997) but is far less intense and begins to get boring early.

Performances: Wahlberg Is Hammy, Dockery a Steady Counterpoint

Mark Wahlberg’s portrayal of villain Daryl is exaggerated, focusing more on physical presence than emotional depth. In contrast, Dockery offers a serious and balanced performance, displaying nuanced emotions and a sense of intensity and danger.

There is limited information to discuss about the supporting cast, as Topher Grace is the only other character with significant screen time and his role is straightforward. The other actors primarily remain off-screen and portray characters involved in a secretive conspiracy.  

Direction and Cinematography

Gibson employs tight, claustrophobic framing inside the plane, making every fight scene feel chaotic and visceral. The action is shot with a kinetic energy that never lets the audience relax—a hallmark of Gibson’s best work, like Apocalypto (2006) and Hacksaw Ridge (2016). But this setting becomes rather drab and boring in a hurry as there is only so long the premise of being trapped in a tiny plane with a killer and a US Marshal who can’t fly the plane remains believable.

However, Gibson’s penchant for graphic violence may polarize audiences. While the brutality serves the story, some scenes border on gratuitous, which could alienate viewers looking for a more streamlined thriller. 

Pacing and Tone: Exhausting and Repetitive

Flight Risk moves slowly and ha constant obvious fight sequences in midflight that become predictable and repetitive. The film begins to drag since the setting never changes and the danger is telegraphed.  

The tone is grim and unforgiving, much like Gibson’s Payback (1999), but without the grit and believability. While this suits the film’s high-stakes scenario, a touch of levity— or change of scenery and deeper explanation of the background behind what was happening would have made for a better film.  

A Middling Actioner

Flight Risk is not a masterpiece, but it’s a slow weekend popcorn flick. With a standout performance from Dockery who seems to be doing her best to elevate a poor screenplay, aerial combat, and some visceral violence.  

The Video

Flight Risk was filmed in 6K resolution using DJI Ronin 4D and Red V-Raptor cameras, equipped with Panavision H-Series and VA lenses for visual effects plates. FPV Drones used Sony FX6, and the main camera was Sony Venice with Panavision H-Series and VA lenses. The outcome is a sharp and clear image, possibly enhanced through post-production techniques to add a “grain” effect over the image.

Flight Risk is presented in a 2.39:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) HDR10 format, which brings a remarkable level of clarity and detail to the screen. The high dynamic range enhances the visual experience, providing vibrant colors and deeper contrasts that make the final act where this becomes more apparent an engaging image. For the majority of the film, the image looks drab and takes little advantage of the HDR.

The MaxLL (Maximum Luminance Level) of 581 nits and MaxFALL (Maximum Frame Average Luminance Level) of 261 nits ensure that bright scenes are rendered with impressive brilliance without overwhelming the viewer.

The video quality stands out particularly during the chaotic ending, however, the constant midflight sequences may start to feel repetitive and dull, but the exceptional video presentation keeps the viewer visually engaged.

The Audio

Flight Risk‘s audio presentation is not as captivating as it could have been. Utilizing lossless English Dolby Atmos, the sound design does envelop the audience in an immersive auditory experience, but one that is quite stagnant, mostly due to the stagnation of the film itself. Every engine roar and gunfire is rendered in crystal-clear detail while dialogue remains clear and distinct, but there is not much movement and only subtle height awareness in the height channels. It does supply good extension into the low end for the rumble of the airplane engine, which is a plus.

The Supplements

Not much is included with this release. There is a brief making-of and the theatrical trailer. The included Blu-ray mirrors the bonus features on the 4K disc.

Bonus Features:

• Blu-ray with Feature Film in HD and Identical Bonus Features
• Digital Copy Code
• Risk Management: Making Flight Risk (1080p; 00:08:10)
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 00:01:19)

The Final Assessment

Flight Risk is a forgettable action film that will likely be remembered only for the hilarious bald-headed look of Mark Wahlberg as the villain who won’t go away. That said, the 4K disc from Lionsgate gets the job done with a good looking video transfer and dynamic if hardly exciting Atmos mix.

Flight Risk is out on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital April 1, 2025 from Lionsgate

• Rating Certificate: R (for violence and language.)
• Studios & Distributors: Lionsgate | Media Capital Technologies | Hammerstone Studios | Blue Rider Pictures | Icon Productions | Davis Entertainment | Lionsgate Home Entertainment
• Director: Mel Gibson
• Written By: Jared Rosenberg
• Run Time: 91 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: HDR10
• HDR10 Metadata:
  • MaxLL: 581 nits
  • MaxFALL: 261 nits
  • Max. Luminance: 1000 nits
  • Min. Luminance: 0.0050 nits
• Primary Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD 7.1 Compatible)
• Secondary Audio: English Descriptive Audio | Spanish DD 5.1 | French DD 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH | Spanish | French
• Street Date: 1 April 2025