By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 3 (Out of 5 Reels)
I went into this film with low expectations because yet again Hollywood is releasing two very similar films within six months of each other. Although, honestly, I was hoping for a little more from this film because when I watched the trailer I thought the dynamic between Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum was worth seeing the film. Fortunately, I was correct because the best thing about this film is their relationship throughout the film.
While on tour of the White House with his young daughter, Emily (Joey King), a Capitol policeman, Cale (Channing Tatum) springs into action to save his child and protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders (IMDB). There are several character actors Richard Jenkins as Raphelson, James Woods as Walker, Jake Weber as Agent Hope and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Finnerty who do their best to make this film better than usual.
The special effects in this film which are explosions, whizzing bullets, swooping helicopters and other standards that happen when someone takes over the White House to get the president to do their bidding are done well. But, don’t see this film for the special effects. See this film if you are looking for a somewhat tired story with some great chemistry between the main characters and a few laughs along the way. Olympus Has Fallen, a similar type film, came out in March of this year but this one is better but not by much. I would definitely not pay full price for this one, make it a matinee or better yet a rental.