“Olympus Has Fallen” is an action packed adventure flick, starring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett and Dylan McDermott. On seeing the cast list and learning Antoine Fuqua of “Training Day” was the director, I imagined viewers would be in for a unique film experience. Unfortunately, “Olympus Has Fallen” …falls short. Each actor pulls their weight, especially Gerard Butler in the lead role, but something is lacking in the film.
Gerard Butler plays ex secret serviceman, Mike Banning. Mike has hung up his secret service career for that of a desk clear at the Treasury due to a fatal accident a year and a half prior, when he was the head of the secret service for the President. On a snowy night, the President and his entourage were involved in a terrible car accident. Mike was only able to save the President and seems to be punishing himself for not being able to save the First Lady (played by Ashley Judd).
Mike gets the chance to redeem himself when terrorists overtake the White House and take hostage the President and many of the Cabinet members. On seeing the attack, Mike rushes to the White House and ultimately becomes the government’s only hope of stopping the terrorists.
“Olympus Has Fallen” is a fun film to watch, because the action never stops but the plot holes and weak dialogue bothered me. The film is also more violent than I thought it would be. With a film like this, you expect huge explosions, hand-to-hand combat and lots of gun shots (of which there are plenty), but there is also unexpected gore that makes you gasp. Despite those critiques, Butler plays his role perfectly. You’ll feel for him and root for him throughout the movie. If you like action-adventure (and you don’t take it too seriously) you’ll enjoy this film.
