First time watching Con Air (1997)… and somehow this absurd action movie actually works.

Is Nicolas Cage the reason this chaotic ‘90s classic still holds up, especially for first-time viewers?

In our newest episode of What If I Don’t Like It?, I’m joined by multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Jaina Cipriano for her first-ever viewing of Con Air... and the results are not what we expected!

We break down:

- Jaina’s honest first reaction to Con Air

- Why the movie’s absurd tone actually works

- How ‘90s action films differ from modern blockbusters

- The role of humor in high-stakes storytelling

- Nicolas Cage’s performance—and why it carries the film

- Whether this movie is secretly… good?

Plus, we talk about Jaina’s work as a multidisciplinary artist, immersive storytelling, and how fear can shape creative work.

🎧 ABOUT THE PODCAST What If I Don’t Like It? is a film podcast where guests confront their biases by watching movies they think they won’t enjoy, and then we unpack what actually happens!

📍 FOLLOW Jaina Cipriano

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jainastudio/

Website: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jainaphoto

X (Twitter): https://x.com/jainastudio

📍 FOLLOW Kt Baldassaro ( @MovieRuntime )

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movieruntime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movieruntime/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieRuntime

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MovieRuntime/

🎬 MORE EPISODES YOU’LL LIKE Check out our episodes on Heavy Metal and Bad Boys for more unexpected movie deep dives.

👇 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more film analysis, movie deep dives, and filmmaker conversations.

Timestamps:

00:00 First Time Watching Con Air?!

01:10 Meet Jaina Cipriano

04:30 Art, Photography & Filmmaking

10:45 Storytelling Across Mediums

16:30 Fear, Creativity & Immersive Work

24:50 First Movie Memories

27:15 Comfort Movies & Favorites

30:50 Movies That Should Be Made

33:00 Why Jaina Avoided Con Air

35:30 First Impressions of Con Air

39:00 Nicolas Cage Performance Breakdown

44:30 Why the Movie Actually Works

49:30 90s Action vs Modern Blockbusters

54:30 Cinematography & Visual Style

58:30 The Absurdity Factor

1:02:00 Favorite Scenes

1:05:30 Final Thoughts: Does It Hold Up?