“Angel Has Fallen” Movie Review

    Despite the fact that “White House Down” came out the same year as “Olympus Has Fallen” in 2013 and everyone was sure “White House Down” would be the bigger winner in the showdown between films with similar subject matters, “Olympus Had Fallen” proved to be the victor in the epic showdown of the two films.  The film went on to spawn two sequels, “London Has Fallen” and the newly released “Angel Has Fallen”.

    The last film of the trilogy follows Mike Banning as he is faced with the choice of staying a Secret Service agent or accept a promotion and become the new Secret Service director.  Before Mike is even given the chance to think about rather he wants to give up on his action packed job in exchange for a pay raise, President Trumbull and Mike are left the only two survivors in an attack that appears to point at Mike being the prime suspect.  Now Mike Banning is on the run to clear his name and find the person responsible for attacking the President and for framing him.

    The film is an enjoyable popcorn flick much like the other installments.  While there isn’t much character development in the film and the story is rather simplistic, the action set pieces are pretty fun.  This is a film series that is supposed to harken back to 80s action films like “Die Hard” and “Cobra”.  In this regard, I feel the film (and the film series as a whole) is fairly successful.

    The film features Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman returning to their previous roles.  Butler seems to enjoy playing Banning and it shows.  Morgan Freeman literally sleeps his way through most of the film but Freeman is one of the few actors who can still excel while napping.  The real breakout new addition to the franchise is screen legend Nick Nolte as Clay Banning, Mike’s father.  Nolte’s grizzled Vietnam veteran gives the film the levity it was lacking before he shows up.

    “Angel Has Fallen” may not a heady awards contender and it may not leave you thinking after you exit the theater, but it does a good job of providing an enjoyable movie going experience and in the end, sometimes we just need some escapism.

Grade: B-