Directed by Keare Andrew, Starring Jessica Lowndes, Juilianna Guill, Ryan Donowho, Landon Liboiron, Jake Weary. Horror/Thriller/Sci-Fi. Canada/USA, 2010, Approx. 86 minutes.

Released in the UK on DVD and Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment on 14th March 2011, £15.99 (DVD), £19.99 (Blu-ray).

The film opens when the Taylor family die in a tragic plane crash. Many year’s later, and Sara, whose mum was the pilot on that fateful day, is planning to fly herself and her four friends to a coldplay concert. Soon after the flight takes off, the plane malfunctions and the plane spirals into an upwards only climb, with a storm heading towards them. As tension and panic build up between the passengers, something more terrifying is waiting within the storm clouds.

After renting a plane for the trip, Sara (Jessica Lowndes) and her friends, Mel (Juilianna Guill), Cory (Ryan Donowho), Bruce (Landon Liboiron) and Sal (Jake Weary) take off for the 90 minute flight to the concert with clear skies ahead. Things start off smoothly as the exuberant teenager's drink beer and enjoy music, although comic book fan Bruce is less comfortable about the flight, and doesn't fit in with Sara's other friends. Sal doesn't help when he damages Bruce's rare copy of the Weird Tales comic.

Unfortunately the group has bigger concerns on its hand when a loose screw becomes lodged in the elevator control on the plane, sending it into ascent only. To compound the problems, a huge black storm cloud appears and the plane loses all radio/radar contact. With fuel also running low, the only option is for one of the group to climb outside onto the tail of the plane to try and fix the mechanical fault.

As they manage to solve the problem however, some form of monstrous unknown force appears in the clouds. In the ensuing panic, one of the group is tragically lost forever into the abyss. As the relationship between the remaining friends becomes strained, they soon realise however that the real terror is still out there, and whatever the monstrous force is, it wants to take the plane and everyone inside.

Altitude in many ways could be summarised as 'Twilight Zone on a plane'. Confined to the interior of a small plane for most of the movie, this helps to combine tension and drama, blended with science fiction and a touch of a comic book feel. The film is easy to watch and there is plenty going on to keep you engaged throughout. The characters are young and good looking but believable and well acted.

What the film does lack is the edge to make this a film you want to love rather than just a good film, and the ending doesn't quite live up to some of the rest of the movie. Overall however, Altitude is a light entertaining watch, it keeps you interested, and certainly an acceptable enough way to pass 86 minutes.

Extras: Behind the Scenes, Green Storm Featurette, Original Concept Gallery, Trailer.

Dino Marabese.

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