QHow could someone own all the air south of Beijng?
AThis is a fake ploy to create the illusion that Mr Weng (Yen) is a 'whale' businessman with lots of disposable cash, which he most likely intends to spend at the casino/hotel. Linus suggests to Abigail Sponder (Ellen Barkin) that he owns the air south of Beijing, meaning that, if anyone wants to build a building into 'the air' in that area, they would need to lease or buy that 'air' from him. It's actually based in fact...albeit ancient history. When people bought land prior to airplanes existing, it was assumed in a lot of countries that they also owned all the air above their plot. Air flight changed this and people now don't have the same rights to the air above their land, so they can't rent or sell it to aircraft; thus, air travel continues throughout the world unlimited. Apparently, Sponder doesn't know about Chinese land rights and, while she thinks it fishy and subsequently checks with FBI agent Caldwell (who turns out to be Linus's father), she takes them at their word.
QWhy won't Banks go to the police?
AThere is no set answer for this, but the theories are numerous: honor among thieves, Banks has things to hide, the bad publicity, Banks wants personal revenge, etc. There was some dialog early on in the movie concerning Banks pride and ego. This became more and more evident as the movie progressed. Banks portrayed this powerful self made millionaire. His character was the type that did not want to share accomplishments and/or any recognition, admit fault, etc. By going to the police, he would be admitting such. At the current time of Banks career (real time in the movie) he was supposedly (at least in the public eye, and certainly in his own mind, beyond all reproach) not in need of any help what so ever. There's no way Banks would admit guilt, loss, weakness, and uncertainty, especially to the authorities! Also as mentioned in the movie, Banks had tapped in to the national fingerprinting database and the FBI systems... Yet another obvious reason he would not go to the police.
QWas Linus' father a real FBI agent?
AYes. Agent Caldwell was in the field office when Abigail called to check out some shady characters at the casino. However, he obviously uses his position in the FBI to pull off elaborate schemes. Linus also mentions, while on the phone to his father, that he has "the greatest cover known to man."
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