September 7, 2013

Olympus Has Fallen (2013)


When it’s over, similar and different than White House Down. With both titles released in theatres roughly the same time, it was hard not to compare the two films. Both films had almost identical plots and characters, but each held a different experience. WHD felt like an action film, and OHF felt like a thriller. Plus, both films are rated differently, aiming for different age categories. (You can read more about my thoughts on WHD independently in this blog.) The White House has been taken by an Asian paramilitary faction led by (Rick Yune), which is set on destroying the United States. Ex-Secret Serviceman, Mike Banning (Gerald Butler) must find a way to save the President (Aaron Eckhart), the President’s son, and the country. It sounds like a one man show, but it certainly did not feel like one, because the focus and screen time were evenly distributed throughout the leading cast. I liked Eckhart, Butler, and Yune. The acting was good, not superb by any means, but I don’t think it needed to be, because it was mainly the action propelling the story forward. OHF was more violent, more unforgiving, and definitely, more serious in its delivery. Thus, the R-restricted rating. There was no humor, none that I can remember, and no one-liners to make your eyes roll. Having seen both WHD and OHF, I would recommend viewers to choose the film with the actor(s) they most like watching, because that will determine their overall enjoyment. 

My rating: 3.5 out of 5











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