Remakes are nothing new in Hollywood as it seems that every year a slew of old films are remade for a new audience. With updates of Logan's Run, Westworld, House of Wax and Assault on Precinct 13, on the way or in the planning stages, it seems that Hollywood has not grown old of mining the past to find today's treasures.

In Flight of the Phoenix, the 1965 classic starring James Stewart is updated with modern visual effects and sensibilities to create a film that is far more entertaining than the trailers have lead us to believe.

Dennis Quaid takes over for Stewart in the role of Captain Frank Towns, who has earned the moniker "shut it down Towns" for his knack of taking crews from drilling sites that are being closed down? Towns is tasked with taking the crew and staff from a rig in a remote location in Mongolia to China where they can begin the trip back home. Despite being over loaded, the plane takes off and is en route when it is caught in a severe sandstorm.

Unable to climb over the storm due to the increased weight, Towns attempts to ride it out with disastrous results as the plane is forced down hundreds of miles off course in the hostile desert. As if this is not bad enough, the plane has been damaged beyond repair as has the radio. Further complicating matters is that the food and water on the plane will last only a few weeks.

Towns believes that the best bet for the survivors is to stay where they are as the harsh weather of the desert makes walking out of their situation impractical and that if they stay near the wreckage, they stand a better chance of being found. Eventually situations arise forcing Towns and his crew to do the unthinkable in a desperate race against time for survival.

While the characters are fairly formulaic, they are likeable enough you care for their well-being, which is the key to the film. A picture like this only goes as far as the characters and despite their flaws and serious lack of development they work. What also was surprising was the restraint shown to the action scenes as they complimented the story and situations rather than overwhelming them, which is so often the case with today's films.

While it is not likely to make you forget the original, this Phoenix is a worthy remake that stays in tune with the intent of the first film and while lacking anything new or innovative, still is an entertaining, albeit forgettable, diversion this Holiday Season.