‘Executive Decision’

Everything about this 1996 hit, in which Arab terrorists take over a 747, is familiar except how crisply its conventional story is executed. It is another film in which a handful of heroes is all that stands between the bad guys and the end of civilization as we know it. But first-time director Stuart Baird was so adroit in avoiding mistakes, so in control of Jim and John Thomas’ twisty script, that those who appreciate old-fashioned craft will surely be pleased. The film is also shrewdly cast, starting with effective performances by Kurt Russell (pictured) and, yes, Steven Seagal and extending to David Suchet as the top terrorist, Halle Berry (pictured) as a steely flight attendant and the eccentric grouping of strong character actors John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, B.D. Wong and Whip Hubley as a crack anti-terrorist team (HBO Sunday at 10:30 p.m.).