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| “Mr. President, we need to move you to a non-secure location.” |
From our friends at DC Film Review...
Olympus Has Fallen: Zero Probability
I could go two ways with this review: Either Antoine Fuqua’s Olympus Has Fallen is one of the worst movies ever made; or it’s akin to last year’s equally atrocious, but wildly entertaining Taken 2. Make no mistake: Olympus Has Fallen is a terrible, terrible movie. That said, I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t enjoy it. I guess I’m just a sucker for a good laugh (whether it’s intentional or not.)
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger crisis. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) directs an all-star cast featuring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Ashley Judd and Rick Yune.
What’s Best:
I’m fascinated with anything Presidential (The
West Wing rules!) and Olympus Has Fallen takes us deep inside
a fictitious White House under heavy attack. Toss in 300’s
Butler as a modern-day Rambo, and you have more than
enough ammunition to hold an audience’s attention. Warning: If you find
yourself buying into any of
the film’s paper-thin plot, you may very well be brain-dead (and should seek immediate medical
attention.) Otherwise, enjoy the countless unintended giggles.
What’s Not:
Acting 101 goes right out the window under Fuqua’s unwatchful
eye, beginning with Angela
Bassett as the
Director of the Secret Service. Her three best lines? “My God,” “Oh my God, the President’s
gone,” and “How did it come to this? We lost Korea and the Nukes? At what point, do you raise
your hand and say “This script stinks!”
Not to be outdone, Sean O’Bryan wrinkles
his eyebrows en route to the worst acting performance since Josh
Peck in last year’s Red Dawn. Razzie-inducing doesn’t begin to
cover the scope of his awfulness. Sadly, it only falls in line with several
equally putrid turns by normally solid actors like Melissa Leo as the
poorly-cast Secretary of Defense... and quite possibly the worst writing duo (Katrin
Benedikt and Creighton
Rothenberger) ever assembled. Note: Would you believe this is the
pair’s breakthrough into Hollywood?
Best Line: Dylan
McDermott is easy to
spot as a former USSS agent, turned traitor; but you have to love his disdain
for his former boss, ‘There’s a reason I never voted for you.’
Worst Line:
Morgan Freeman’s first official order as interim President? ‘Mary, get me some
coffee... in a real cup.
Not one of those Styrofoam cups!’ Way to get your priorities in order, Mr.
Prez.
Overall:
Butler’s Manning says it best, ‘Wait, this doesn’t add up. This doesn’t make
sense.’ Olympus Has Fallen is extremely violent, and has no problem painting
Koreans as evil warmongers who could go crazy at any moment and take over
America. Never mind that all they need is a tour bus, a trash truck and a bunch
of gang-bangers outfitted in do-rags, polo shirts and AK-47s to do it. I’d find
it insulting... if it wasn’t so poorly conceived and presented on screen. Worth
a look, if you’re in the mood to laugh: Otherwise, stay way clear of Fuqua’s unbelievable war-zone.
Grade: C-
