March 22, 2016

By Tiffany Skelnik

“London Has Fallen” is a Babak Najafi directed film and sequel to “Olympus Has Fallen” (2013). The film stars Gerard Butler returning as Mike Banning and Aaron Eckhart as President Benjamin Asher. Picking up where it left off three years prior, viewers see Mike Banning balancing the stress of being an expectant father with his job as a secret service agent for the president. When the president has to attend the funeral of London’s prime minister, Mike Banning has to pack his bags and accompany President Asher. Things take a turn for the worst when it is revealed that London is under attack from within, and the masterminds want to execute the president on live stream. Mike Banning must protect the president at all costs while trying to survive to return home to his wife.

This film is an intense ride. The action is maintained throughout, and viewers are left wondering what will happen next. This is due, in part, to the performances by the cast.

Gerard Butler brings determination, toughness and affection to his character. This allows viewers to root for him and gets them invested in the outcome. Aaron Eckhart does a fantastic job as well. He adds complexity to the character of President Asher, giving him a personality that goes beyond the character’s job title.

The relationship between Mike Banning and Benjamin Asher is at the heart of the film, and Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart portray the relationship well. They inject humorous moments into the action and make it clear that these two men are friends, adding higher stakes into an already intense scenario. The viewer knows that these two would do anything to ensure each other’s safety.

Morgan Freeman, who plays Vice President Trumbull, does a fantastic job. He plays Trumbull with wit and intelligence that gives the film a cat-and-mouse feeling. With Freeman’s portrayal the film achieves a level of suspense, giving both sides an equal chance to outwit the other.

The effects in this film, done by Sam Conway, are brilliant. Seeing London get destroyed is both brutal and picturesque. Every explosion leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. With every landmark that was decimated, the story grew more and more twisted with conspiracy and treachery.

“London Has Fallen” was an awesome adventure. I recommend it.

skeltiff@my.dom.edu