Olympus Has Fallen

Release Date: April 17th 2013

Disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack; using his inside knowledge, Banning works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers.

Director: Antoine Fuqua (Brooklyn's Finest, Shooter, Training Day)

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Finley Jacobsen, Dylan McDermott, Rick Yune, Mellisa Leo, Radha Mitchell

First and foremost Olympus Has Fallen would have made a fitting sequel to the Die Hard Quadrilogy. It's got everything it needs: mass destruction, hostile situations, epic building takeovers. The biggest problem for OHF is it lacks the perfect one-liners and a sense of 'going along for the ride'.

Disgraced Secret service agent Mike Banning (Butler), after what has been a frightful 18 months (an introduction to his relationship with the President and his son takes place at the start of the film), he's now has a desk job, conveniently in a building opposite the White House.

Whilst he's busy at work, the White House becomes under attack by North Koreans acting as tourists. What unfolds is what can only be said as carnage and mayhem against the White House. This film makes out that America have the worst defense system if they were to fall under attack.

President Benjamin Asher (Eckhart) and other government officials (including Melissa Leo as Secretary of Defense) are held hostage within the Oval Office, and Banning is the only hope America has in saving the President, and stopping this terrorist threat (an inconceivable reason stops the rest of America helping, as they negotiate with these terrorists).

Now there's not a lot to expect from Olmpus Has Fallen, only that the action is incredible and a little outrageous. It's doesn't take a lot of thought to work out it's plot, it is slightly predictable and it's one of the most simple storylines that the Training Day director has done in his career. It is a thoroughly enjoyable watch, even if Butler's Scottish accent overpowers his put on American when he's shouting.

Morgan Freeman and Aaron Eckhart are underwritten. The latter is tied up for the majority of the film, and coming off a bit flimsy whilst the former sits at a desk in the Pentagon for the duration of the film, with the only interesting dialogue about coffee.

Nevertheless, Olympus Has Fallen does the job, but can two films with complete similarities have any originality? (OHF was shortly followed by the release of White House Down).

Overview: Butler is a great action hero, even if he doesn't have that much to say. OHF is a no brainer, but won't score any awards.

3.5/5