Today’s quick review: Angel Has Fallen. After years of painful service to his country, Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) faces one last challenge when he’s framed for a devastating attack on President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman). Hunted by Agent Thompson (Jada Pinkett Smith) of the FBI, Mike must go on the run to clear his name. But to stay ahead of the government, he’ll need help from an unlikely source: his father (Nick Nolte).
Angel Has Fallen is an action thriller about a loyal Secret Service agent framed for an assassination attempt against the President. The second sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, Angel Has Fallen puts a new spin on the formula of the first two films. This time around, the President’s would-be assassins attack Mike himself, destroying his reputation and isolating him from the man he’s sworn to protect.
Angel Has Fallen is more grounded than the previous films in the series. The stakes are still high and the story is very much fiction, but the series’ less credible aspects—like its superweapons and massive, coordinated terror attacks—have been dialed down considerably. Likewise, although Mike is still a force to be reckoned with, he’s beginning to show the effects of a lifetime of wear and tear.
Beyond this slight shift in tone, Angel Has Fallen is a workmanlike thriller that fits right in with the rest of the series. The plot follows Mike as he races once again to save the President’s life and uncover a sinister conspiracy. Consistent action and a decent cast will make it a fun ride for fans of the genre. However, the movie packs few surprises, and there’s nothing about its stunts, story, or dialogue to make the film memorable.
Give Angel Has Fallen a shot when you’re in the mood for a straightforward, competently executed thriller. The movie has enough in the way of basic craftsmanship to please action fans, but it lacks the vision to truly stand out. Steer clear if you’re looking for an innovative plot or action with more style. For a more over-the-top take on a similar premise, try Olympus Has Fallen. For a tight, gritty thriller in the same vein, try Shooter.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid, no-frills action.