When Olympus Has Fallen came out several years ago, no one expected that the film would start a potential trilogy of films. But behind an all-star cast and a badass Jack Bauer-type character, the adventures of Mike Banning became a new kind of franchise for Lionsgate. But is Angel Has Fallen another hit for the studio or is it time to let this angel fall?
Although the film is completely unnecessary, the film is still an entertaining mindless action extravaganza that you’ve come to expect from the franchise.
Angel Has Fallen follows Mike Banning, a secret service agent that’s on his last legs. After he is framed for attempting to assassinate the president, Banning must go on the run, prove he’s innocent, and bring those who framed him down.
Much like London Has Fallen, Angel Has Fallen is another unnecessary sequel in the Fallen franchise. To its credit, the film tried to shake things up by stripping away all of Mike’s resources. Unfortunately, Angel‘s “hero gets framed” plotline is so generic and predictable. There are very little surprises since you can basically see them coming from miles away. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel in any way.
At the same time, the film tries to sympathize with its main villain by developing a relationship between the two. However, the friendship between the two needed more time to develop. You just can’t feel the connection between the two lifelong friends. So when it came to the final confrontation between the two, the drama just wasn’t there. This is definitely not a Winter Soldier/Captain America moment.
On top of all that, the film tries to establish that Mike Banning as a man that’s physically breaking down. Although it’s plausible that Mike is physically breaking down by going through hell in the first two films, this idea isn’t consistent at all. Mike goes through similar hell in Angel Has Fallen and yet, he shows very little signs of breaking down. It seems as if no further damage has been done to his body.
But the Fallen franchise has always relied on its over-the-top, Michael Bay-style action scenes. The problem is that the “on-the-run” action scenes aren’t very exciting. In comparison to the other two films, they’re bland in terms of its entertainment value. In other words, don’t expect a lot of flashy and jaw-dropping action scenes.
Be that as it may, the film does a complete 180 when they finally introduce Nick Nolte into the film. Their father and son relationship is both hilarious and (a bit) heartfelt. It’s very reminiscent of the kind of relationship you saw in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Butler and Nolte’s chemistry is that good.
This turning point also amps up the entertainment value. It finally becomes the franchise that you know and love. It’s as if once the weight of Mike’s “on-the-run” storyline is gone, he’s able to do what he does best: Strategize and attack with lethal precision.
Overall, Angel Has Fallen is kind of a weird conundrum. Although the film is completely unnecessary, you kind of want another film that focuses on Gerard Butler and Nick Nolte. It’s the saving grace that Angel Has Fallen sorely needed.
Rating: 2.5/5 atoms
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