Angel Down.
121 Mins. Starring: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lance Reddick, Tim Blake Nelson, Piper Perabo, Danny Huston & Nick Nolte. Director: Ric Roman Waugh.
'Tokyo Has Fallen'. That could have been the name of this sequel conclusion to this terrific trilogy in neon bright lights. And drifting towards that like a 'Fast' franchise how furious would that have been? Especially with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics coming for this 'Olympus' sequel after this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan's capital city for the scrum half looking star. Still, lost in translation all angel eyes are on a new target. As after '300' star Gerard Butler's 'Olympus Has Fallen' came out at the same time as Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx's 'White House Down' (awwwwkward), it proved to have more rounds with the Big Smoke sequel of 'London Has Fallen' (although I would have watched 'London Down'). But now instead of heading to the Far East the sun won't rise on this, as this trilogy now prefers a stripped down solo mission. Like a modern day 'Fugitive' with drones instead of dams (Tom Hanks in 'Sully' would say they looked like birds before they strike). And Nick Nolte instead of Tommy Lee Jones. Stepping into the Harrison Ford, "I didn't kill my President" role like Jake Gyllenhaal's "this man had a mechanical arm" or comedian John Mulaney's "you switched the samples" inspired impressions of your fugitives name, Dr. Richard Kimble, Butler serves POTUS like you would for anyone but Trump. As in reprising his trilogy role Morgan Freeman reprises his 'Deep Impact' role as President of the United States. 'Olympus' and 'London' were more violent than bullets and blood in a microwave. So expect 'Angel' to follow foul mouth suit and Presidential seal to the film classification certificates lack of approval. F### it!
The Rock and Jason Statham, otherwise known as the 'Fast and Furious', 'Hobbs and Shaw' this foggy London town Summer may be the new generation, bald identity action heroes to those who think Schwarzenegger and Stallone are really 'Expendable'. But Gerard Butler is you no B.S., 'Die Hard' Bruce Willis without the Tatum 'W.H.D.' string vest. Yippee Ki Yay my President. My President is black. My President is Kaepernick. My President is Barack. Or at least a fictional Morgan Freeman like red too. Whipping pistols and ass the Butler does it too, knuckles to dust. The 'Law Abiding Citizen' star takes the law into his own gun-totting hands. All to Secret Service protect the one who serves now that Freeman's Fox 'The Dark Knight' co-star Aaron Eckhart's Harvey 'Two Face' Dent is no longer in office in this film that even makes appointments to blow up hospitals like The Joker. Gerard even emotes some world weariness for a veteran hero whose served more men than McDonalds for what seems like an infinity wars. With secrets in service of his own this one, he hides a prescription that pain at bay pops more pills than a jumper washed too many times. But is that all he is hiding after an in the line of fire, drone strike assassination attempt leaves him cuffed to a hospital bed as the only one to survive next to the sitting President? Now the angel has fallen this time and with the FBI determined to clip his wings was he set up? Or is he set on a whole new path for this serious left turn from the franchise? This one at times may be more predictable than text, but there's still a slick script for 'Snitch' and 'Felon' director Ric Roman Waugh to play around with like dynamite. And if that wasn't enough the gravitas from the Presidential voice of legend Morgan Freeman lends an official authenticity to it all, as he can even stir speeches like morning coffee siting on the mahogany edge of his Oval Office desk. But the real legend that steals the show is the spit beard, grit and gravel, timbre and tone of a lost in an 'Enemy Of The State' Hackman like, 'Fugitive' wilderness woods Nick Nolte. This 'Warrior' at his pops playing part best since Hardy was his boy.
Ang Lee's CGi visionary 'Gemini Man' may see Will Smith play Fresh Prince double duty, but it's 'Collateral' and 'Gotham' star Jada Pinkett Smith who is really Tommy Lee. Commanding the screen with Deadshot aim right now as she owns every moment she holds in 'Angel Has Fallen'. The Wicked Wisdom singer is still heavy with that metal and let's hope she can still dodge bullets to in the just announced 'Matrix 4' sequel. Keanu Reeves' right hand 'John Wick' man Lance Reddick certainly can in the latest chapter to his career here. Whilst a sworn in 'Buster Scruggs' Tim Blake Nelson and 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' Stroker Danny Huston add more backstory. But it's not just the Vice of Morgan making replacements as 'Coyote Ugly' and 'Looper' star Piper Perabo takes over Rhada Mitchell's role with just as much grit and grace. Making a complete cast for a complete trilogy. Even though if at times 'Angel' feels flat and a crossover to falling in Tokyo would have recharged this franchise like Shibuya, there is still plenty in the clip for this highlight package. In this Netflix streaming age with a fountain of a library of new and classic movies we've seen or not available at our own swiping left, age of the social fingertips disposal, many movies we see in theatres become one and done's to never ever even be seen on DVD again. And in a lost, post season what may be the late August last blockbuster of the Summer before the Oscar fall (save an early Halloween 'IT' chapter too) is a real big one to enjoy in its moment before the 'Fallen' trilogy serves as your next movie night big three feature as you stay at home and microwave popcorn and chill. Because from Olympus to London, no matter the fall, the flag still flies for this guardian Angel. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Fugitive', 'Olympus Has Fallen', 'London Has Fallen'.
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