Age certification: 15
Written by: Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman
Genre: Action/Thriller
Rating: ****
With the ever impending threat of terrorism constantly circulating the news these days, Olympus Has Fallen makes a bold and daring move. Reminiscent of films such as Die Hard, this is one of the most thrilling action films to be released in recent years.
Following a tragic accident, Agent Banning (Butler) is demoted from his position as Head of the Presidential Detail and made to work in an office close to the White House instead. Still full of gusto and patriotism, Banning finds himself on a solo mission to save the President and the entire United States following a terrorist attack by the North Koreans.
Right from the start we are thrown into a world full of action, complete with no nonsense villains, including the dangerously smug terrorist mastermind. Disturbingly, the film spares no violence and hundreds of citizens are seen killed by bullets from air forces, just as another hundred or so agents are seen gunned down outside the White House by the vigilant masked terrorists. It’s graphic, but realistic and the special effects and use of CGI are commendable.
Gerard Butler fits perfectly into this role, combining his reputation for being charming and witty, with being brutal and an aggressive force not to be fought with. There is a fine supporting cast too, with Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman playing to their strengths. This is by no means insightful or at all politically correct, but taken for what it is – an action packed thriller, it’s a great piece of entertainment.
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