Movie Review - Angel Has Fallen

This is the third film in the Olympus Has Fallen series or franchise starring Gerard Butler as a Secret Service Agent who is constantly saving the President of the United States from over-the-top terrorist plots that seek to kill him and take over or at least destroy parts of the world. I reviewed the first one but didn't review the second, though I did see it in preparation for this film, which was completely unnecessary. These films are like the sequels to Die Hard (1988) or Mission: Impossible (1996). They don't really connect or flow into one another. For the most part, these films are just shoot-em-up adventures, an excuse for crazy action where tons of bullets and bombs can be thrown across the screen. If that kind of action tickles one's fancy, then this film could be entertaining for those seeking it. I would say this film improves upon the previous entry, but that's not saying much.

In the previous films, the villains were typically one-dimensional, Asian or Muslim stereotypes. It's not to say that villains in films can't be Asian or Muslim, but it's better if there's a bit more depth or nuance to them. The screenplay by co-writer Ric Roman Waugh who is also the stuntman-turned-director here takes away those stereotypes and makes the villains here Americans whose plan is over-the-top but perhaps more feasible than previous plots in this franchise. Still, the villains here get a little fleshing out, a little bit of depth or nuance. I would still say it's not as good, interesting or as clever as the villain in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995). The villain in that 1995 classic at least was able to have somewhat of a personality. Here, the villain is just typical, angry action figure.

Gerard Butler (300 and Den of Thieves) stars as Mike Banning, a husband and father to a little girl who looks under the age of 4. He lives in Washington, DC. He's the lead agent on the President's security detail. At the top of the film, it's revealed that he has health problems. Unlike the hero in Die Hard, all the wear-and-tear on his body from the previous action-adventures have had a deleterious effect on him. He's getting older, approaching the age of 50. This aspect seems like it might be something at play in this narrative, but instead merely becomes a framing device that has no impact on the film. Mike's health is not a factor here at all, not even in any of the action scenes.

The principal question is if Mike will take a desk job that wouldn't tax his health as much as being out in the field, actively protecting the President. It's not exactly a film about a man facing retirement who resists or feels apprehensive to do so. It reminded me a little of Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) or Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). Kirk in both those movies faced a desk job in the name of a promotion, which would take him out the field. Those films were about him resisting or feeling apprehensive, but realizing his passion for being in the field and totally rejecting the promotion. Kirk didn't have the health issues that Mike Banning has, so this film is arguably about the opposite and Mike having to eventually embrace his retirement as it were, but little in the film supports that argument or ultimate decision.

Nick Nolte (Warrior and 48 Hrs.) co-stars as Clay Banning, the father to Mike. He's introduced about half-way through this film. It was after which the movie becomes more comedic. It was a similar effect as when Sean Connery was introduced in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). The dynamic between Nolte and Butler was akin to that between Connery and Harrison Ford, except neither Nolte and Butler have the same charisma and general appeal as Connery and Ford. Clay though is a fun curmudgeon who's more useful militarily as Connery's character was good intellectually.

In light of films like Mission: Impossible, which recently have gone out of there way to craft unique and daring action sequences, it can be hard to come up with any that feel truly inventive. Actors like Tom Cruise and filmmakers like Christopher Nolan really dedicate time to coming up with stunts and scenes that are mostly practical to stun audiences. Their stunts are usually so stunning because of how immersive they make their stunts feel. This franchise though has mainly gotten away with tons of flying bullets and fake-looking, CGI explosions. The take down of a hospital in this film doesn't compare to how authentic-looking the hospital take-down in Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008).

Mike's final fight scene, which came down to fisticuffs with him and the villain, was also rather anticlimactic. These films aren't known for their martial arts. I wasn't expecting for Butler to all-of-a-sudden become Jason Statham or Iko Uwais, but something could have been done to juice up that final fight or raise the stakes somehow. Unfortunately, Waugh couldn't quite stick the landing. I also didn't appreciate that this franchise has now twice killed a strong black woman, instead of utilizing her strengths. There is though a mid-credits scene that gives the audience a bit of laughter with which to walk out, plus it gives Butler what he didn't have in the previous film and that's a shirtless, albeit brief, beefcake shot.

Rated R for violence and language throughout.
Running Time: 2 hrs. and 1 min.