Photo courtesy of IMDb
Harrison Ford shines in the 1997 blockbuster ‘Air Force One’ as President James Marshall.

If Presidents Day is a celebration of American leadership, resolve and the mythology we build around the Oval Office, then “Air Force One” might be the most fitting movie you can cue up.

Wolfgang Petersen’s 1997 blockbuster isn’t just an action thriller — it’s a full-throated salute to the idea of a president who embodies courage under fire, moral clarity, and an unshakable devotion to country. And at the center of it all is Harrison Ford, whose steady, commanding presence turns a high-concept premise into a patriotic crowd-pleaser.

Ford plays President James Marshall, a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient who opens the film with a vow that the United States will never again negotiate with terrorists. It’s a line delivered with the kind of quiet conviction Ford excels at, and it sets the tone for a story that imagines the presidency not as a distant institution, but as a living symbol of American grit. When a group of Russian ultranationalists hijacks Air Force One mid-flight, Marshall becomes the embodiment of the American ideal: a leader who refuses to abandon his people, his family, or his principles.

The hijackers, led by Gary Oldman in one of his most ferocious villain roles, seize the plane with chilling efficiency. Oldman’s performance gives the film its teeth — he’s ideological, unpredictable and utterly committed to his cause. His scenes with Ford crackle with tension, especially when he spits accusations about American foreign policy. Even in these moments, the film leans into its patriotic core: Marshall listens, absorbs and ultimately stands firm, a cinematic reminder of the values the holiday celebrates.

Much of the film’s action unfolds in the cramped, shadowy underbelly of the aircraft — cargo bays, galleys and maintenance corridors. Petersen uses these tight spaces to create a sense of claustrophobic urgency, turning the presidential aircraft into a battleground where every inch matters. The film’s pacing is brisk, its stakes clear and its tone unapologetically heroic. Even when the plot leans on familiar tropes — lone hero picking off terrorists one by one, tense wire-cutting sequences, last-second rescues — the movie’s patriotic spirit keeps it buoyant.

What elevates “Air Force One” beyond a standard action template is its parallel storyline in Washington. Vice President Kathryn Bennett, played with steely resolve by Glenn Close, faces a constitutional crisis as advisers debate whether the president is “incapacitated.”

These scenes add a layer of political drama that feels distinctly American: the peaceful transfer of power, the weight of the Constitution and the solemn responsibility of leadership. Close’s performance grounds the film, reminding viewers that patriotism isn’t only found in heroics — it’s also found in duty, restraint and respect for the office.

The supporting cast reinforces the film’s patriotic tone. William H. Macy, Dean Stockwell, Xander Berkeley and Wendy Crewson all bring credibility to their roles, portraying military officers, cabinet members and Secret Service agents who embody service and sacrifice. Their presence helps sell the idea that Air Force One isn’t just a plane — it’s a flying symbol of American democracy, staffed by people who believe deeply in the country they serve.

Of course, the film isn’t without its Hollywood embellishments. Some of the special effects, especially in the climactic sequence, show their age. The movie is rich with clichés, from the predictable terrorist missteps to the obligatory press-room scenes. But on Presidents Day, those familiar beats feel less like flaws and more like part of the fun. This is a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be: a patriotic fantasy where the president doesn’t just lead — he fights.

And that’s precisely why “Air Force One” remains such a satisfying holiday watch. It taps into a uniquely American longing for leaders who are brave, principled and willing to shoulder the burden of their office. It celebrates the presidency not as a political battleground, but as a symbol of national unity. It reminds us — through spectacle, through sentiment and through Harrison Ford’s unwavering resolve — of the ideals we honor every February.

When Ford delivers the film’s most famous line, “Get off my plane,” it lands not just as an action-movie punchline, but as a patriotic declaration. In that moment, he isn’t just a character–he’s the embodiment of the American spirit: defiant, determined and unwilling to yield.

For a holiday built around the stories we tell about leadership, courage and country, “Air Force One” is a perfect fit. It’s bold, earnest and proudly patriotic — a cinematic salute to the presidency and the values it represents.

Rating: R

Runtime: 124 minutes

Grade: A-

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Greg Williams is a reporter and Weekend Editor for The Sentinel. A Mifflin County native, he has been writing for The Sentinel since 1991.