Altitude

Altitude from 2010 is an action-packed, high-flying, supernatural thriller that is sure to raise your hairs and keep you on the edge of your seat. Starring Jessica Lowndes, Julianna Guill, and Ryan Donowho, and directed by award-winning director Kaare Andrews, Altitude is a movie filled with unexpected twists and turns, building tension and suspense by combining elements of horror, mystery, and action in a unique, chilling storyline.

Jessica Lowndes stars as Sara, a skillful and ambitious pilot who invites her close friends to embark on a trip in her newly acquired small, yet sturdy, airplane. The group includes Sara's boyfriend Bruce (played by Landon Liboiron), her cousin Cory (Ryan Donowho), their mutual friend Mel (Julianna Guill) and Mel's boyfriend, Sal (Jake Weary). These individuals, who are just off of high school and stepping into the threshold of adulthood, are expecting an exciting aerial adventure. However, not long after taking off, they find themselves hurled into a terrifying journey as their plane malfunctions and things spiral out of control.

The narrative unfolds in the claustrophobic confines of the aircraft and the limitless, eerie space outside it. As the plane ascends into a cloudy, storm-filled sky, it soon becomes apparent that more than just mechanical difficulties is at play. What initially seems to be a simple technical glitch transforms into an insidious, unexplainable circumstance encompassing surreal events. The group begins to witness unbelievable phenomena, and a series of dreadful experiences. The sky itself begins to turn against them, and the terror intensifies with every passing second.

Altitude features standout performances that make the characters relatable and their plight even more palpifying. Jessica Lowndes, known for her role in the popular TV series 90210, acts brilliantly in the leading role of Sara, portraying her character’s escalating fear and desperation convincingly. Her friends - portrayed by Landon Liboiron, Julianna Guill, Ryan Donowho, Jake Weary – transform beautifully from excitement and fun-loving attitudes to survival mode, struggling to comprehend and tackle the predicament they find themselves in. The ensemble cast brings out the personal relationships and individual personalities amidst the disarray, which makes the situation seem all the more believable and intense.

Director Kaare Andrews does an excellent job keeping the storyline engaging and continually suspenseful. He effectively uses the confined space of the airplane and the expansive, uncertain atmosphere of the sky to build an unsettling sense of dread and terror. The cinematography is beautiful and grand, with stunning visuals that contribute immensely to the overall eerie, threatening mood of the film. The scenes are given a real depth thanks to the 3D visual effects, successfully portraying the high-altitude terror that the characters face.

Moreover, the screenplay by Paul A. Birkett provides for an unexpected departure from standard disaster or monster movies. It adds a unique twist to the aerial disaster movie genre by exploring supernatural elements, thus effectively ratcheting up the horror and tension throughout the plot. The dialogue is clever and realistic, helping to build character depth and intensifying the sense of danger.

The movie's pacing is another key aspect that keeps viewers on their toes. It gradually builds up tension, smoothly escalating from a carefree adventure to a genuine survival horror. The movie strikes an excellent balance between action, terror, mystery and drama, with tense silences and false calms heightening the overall effect.

In conclusion, Altitude is an adrenaline-filled, high-altitude thriller with a unique supernatural twist. It presents viewers with a terrifying ride filled to the brim with action, suspense, intrigue and horror. With a solid storyline, commendable performances and excellent direction, Altitude deftly combines elements of different genres to keep the audience on the edge from beginning to end. It’s a definite must-watch for action, thriller, and horror fans, as well for those who love to watch a suspenseful horror with irrational and unseen forces taking control.