Write a commentCast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Dylan McDermott, Aaron Eckhart, Ashley Judd
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 (Gerard Butler) 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 (Aaron Eckhart) and avert an even bigger disaster.
Far-fetched? Maybe. But you really don't care because you get caught up in it quickly and when the blitz attack begins, you surely won't be able to look away as you try to take in everything that is happening. Be prepared, there is quite a lot of blood and death that can be a little disturbing and which definitely earns its "R" rating.
Butler is strong and everything you want in a hero – good looking, smart, never says more than he needs to and although brutal in his fighting, his compassion for justice and humanity shows through. There are also much needed flashes of comic relief by Branning – much needed because when you break out in a laugh, it forces you to release the breath you didn't realize you'd been holding.
The caliber of the cast is truly strong and believable – especially my favorite, Morgan Freeman. Rick Yune as the villain, Kang, is especially impressive. There is nothing I hate more than a villain who is cartoonish and he is not. He is cool and meticulous; seemingly sane but deadly with clear motives, which
Sure, some of it may be a little unbelievable, but as I said, you really don't care because it is well-done and interesting. The special effects and attack on the White House are amazing and jaw-dropping. Here is an exerpt from reviewer Bill Zwecker who said it better than I ever could:
"The special effects and attention to detail in "Olympus Has Fallen" are superb. It truly looks like the destruction depicted onscreen has actually occurred. Considering that most of this mayhem was created by CGI and filmed on extensive special sets constructed in Louisiana, the impact is even more impressive."
One of the interesting things about the movie are some of the White House secrets revealed. For instance, who knew the house was entirely rebuilt (inside) during the Truman administration? And that there are secret passages? You wonder, is there really a vent that could be used as an escape like the President's son took? The procedures for taking the President down to the bunker were also fascinating.
There are a lot of movies that I just wait for to come out on DVD or purchase through cable, but this is one that is a movie-theater "must see." Because of my busy life and the fact that I seldom have time to go to the movies, I am always happy not to have wasted two hours of my life. I must also note that normally watching a movie I lose track at times as my mind tends to wander at points, especially during slow scenes, but it never once did that while watching "Olympus Has Fallen." That in itself makes it an amazing movie!
Rated R - Action/Adventure/Suspense/Thriller. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and is 1 hour and 40 minutes long.
