OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN (D+)

 

Bottom Line: A goofily patriotic and excessively violent political thriller that’s more aptly titled CLEAR AND PRESENT DIE ZERO DARK OLYMPUS FALLEN DANGER HARD THIRTY – because of its liberal lifting of ideas from far better films if its ilk.  Gerard Butler possesses enough take-charge charisma to see us through a bit of the proceedings, but this bloody cinematic tour of the White House is off-balanced, underwhelming, shallow, tactless, suspenseless and as graceful as a sledgehammer to the skull.  Blatantly ripping at least a dozen beats directly from the original DIE HARD, it’ll easily scratch any no-brain-needed action itch you may possess – but if you’re looking for anything beyond goofily thunderous gunplay, you best lower your expectations on this derivatively over-the-top flick.

 

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Melissa Leo, Angela Bassett, Rick Yune, Dylan McDermott and Robert Forster

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY, TEARS OF THE SUN and SHOOTER)

Rated: R

Running time: 119 minutes

Story: When the White House (Secret Service Code: "Olympus") is captured by a terrorist mastermind and the President is kidnapped, disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped within the building. As our national security team scrambles to respond, they are forced to rely on Banning's inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save the President and avert an even bigger crisis. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) directs an all-star cast featuring Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Melissa Leo, Ashley Judd and Rick Yune. (c) FilmDistrict

 

Trailer: www.olympusmovie.com