About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.
Gerard Butler isn’t getting any younger, but thanks to a good workout regimen, a bevy of talented stunt people and the magic of video editing, the 49 year-old actor can seemingly still bring the action when it’s called for. Angel Has Fallen, the third leg of the “Has Fallen” action thriller movies that follow Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) as he takes the ideology to Protect and Serve to the next level of commitment. With Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and London Has Fallen (2016) showcasing this character’s resourcefulness and tough as nails bravado, the gears would have to be changed up a bit in order to keep the audience’s interest.
To that end, there’s only so many times that a sitting President can be in peril before you start to role your eyes incessantly. This franchise is dangerously close to that phenomenon even if the second movie didn’t deal with exclusively with the President of the United States, but rather other world leaders. Ushering in its third director in as many movies, Ric Roman Waugh goes the familiar route of a frame job. No one is getting awards for originality here but that’s the nature of the beast.
Angel Has Fallen brings in several newcomers to the franchise fold. Danny Huston, Lance Reddick, Tim Blake Nelson, Jada Pinkett Smith and Nick Nolte join the fray to bring in recognizable actors to keep things legit. You can only have so many nameless pawns after all. Returning talent aside from Butler is really only Morgan Freeman, who this time around, has become the President of the United States. Technically as far as returning characters go, Leah Banning is still with the franchise but is played by a new actor (Piper Perabo versus Radha Mitchell) this time around.
Once again, Angel Has Fallen uses its R-rating to its benefit by putting violence front and center. And maybe it’s just me but it feels as though this iteration contains slightly more comedic moments to give the film more mass appeal. Completely far-fetched, the political action flick puts entertainment value above all else. You can’t think too hard or some parts will just grind your gears. In the film’s defense, too much realism plays out dull and that’s not what this is about.
Even though the overall plot between these three movies has been a bit repetitious, director Ric Roman Waugh gives us just enough misdirection to keep viewers engaged. Gerard Butler is the consummate professional and treats Angel Has Fallen as though it’s his first time through. The supporting actors are okay but Danny Huston and Jada Pinkett Smith fall a little flat. Morgan Freeman continues to excel in roles where he is in positions of power, but probably the most surprising and notable performance is by Nick Nolte. His gruff and well-traveled persona plays very well to what is going on with this movie. More importantly, his ability to supplement several “lighter moments” throughout gives the more serious series a rare giggle-worthy break at times.
This story has been stretched about as far as it can be without completely selling out, but Angel Has Fallen still flies high in terms of an enjoyment factor. See for yourselves in theaters now.
