LONDON HAS FALLEN

US, 2016, 99 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhardt, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Alon Aboutbool, Jackie Earle Hayley, Robert Forster, Melissa Leo, Colin Salmon, Penny Downie, Charlotte Riley.
Directed by Babak Najafi.

A couple of years ago there was a political thriller, Olympus has Fallen, with Aaron Eckhardt as the president of the United States, Gerard Butler as the head of security, Morgan Freeman about to become vice president. And a lot of buildings in Washington DC, the capital and the White Hosts, were destroyed. Strangely enough, this sequel has no explicit reference to the former film, Washington looks as normal, even though the stars have returned as well as a number of the supporting cast at work in the White House, the Pentagon and on security duty.

The action is taken from contemporary headlines, arms dealers, international terrorists, the role of the United States, especially in the Middle East and drone action in countries like Pakistan. While the tone of the film is generally that of hawks rather than doves, there is some implicit criticism of some of the vengeful tactics of the United States.

This is the kind of film that drives armchair critics and those campaigning for peace rather demented. Many of the reviews have denounced the film as mindless, jingoistic, ultra-patriotic. And, in many ways it is. But that is the nature of action stories, popular novels, television series, the movies, that heighten characters and situations for action entertainment. Do they influence popular attitudes? Perhaps only in reinforcing stances but audiences have taken in to the cinema to see the movie.

One hopes that the scenario is impossible – but the filming was already completed by the November 2015 attacks in Paris, and the film was released not long before the March 2016 attacks in Brussels.

Having said that, Gerard Butler resumes his role as the almost one man band security detail for the President, jogging with him, intending to resign because of his wife’s pregnancy but called into action when the Prime Minister of England dies and a state funeral is arranged.

One hopes it is impossible because before very long, the heads of almost 40 nations have been killed, including Germany, Canada, France (but not such small fry as the Prime Minister of Australia). The running time of the film is not very long and so action moves along, the attack at St Paul’s Cathedral, hurrying the American President to hiding, at Charing Cross Underground Station, an attempt at a helicopter trip to Stansted, forced to land, finding the safe house in London, in Soho i(where a number of the preview cinemas are located) and a battle with the help of a British SAS team.

Scotland Yard is involved, the head of the safe house, the backup squad – and, needless to say, the body count is very high, especially, of course, of the terrorists. Gerard Butler is of the relentless school. He would have made an effective screen Jack Reacher.

The terrorist attack is explained by a drone dropping bombs on a wedding in Pakistan, the daughter of an arms dealer who then plans his revenge, especially to take the American president prisoner and to kill him on social media.

Meanwhile in Washington, VP Morgan Freeman keeps his calm, is able to make code contact with the security man, is able to teach keep the British authorities informed.

If there are going to be terrorist attacks, we’ll need the Gerard Butlers of the cinema world – but, sadly, we realise with real life episodes, this is not the case.

Despite the contemporary connections, this is an action show.

1. 21st century political and terrorist thriller? For the wide audience? Impact in the US, outside the US? In the Middle East?

2. The plot taken from contemporary headlines, political plots, terrorism, motivations, allies?

3. The prologue in the US, the president and his run, Michael sharing with him, Michael’s wife, pregnancy, his letter of resignation, demands and needs?

4. The American settings, Washington DC, the London settings, the well-known landmarks, action in the streets? In the safe house? The musical score?

5. The situation, the Prime Minister’s death, plans for the funeral, world leaders going, the demands on security?

6. The terror prologue: the sun coming to discuss achievement with his father, the arms deals, the plans for the wedding, the lavish ceremony, the driving, the bomb, the deaths, the father surviving, is planning revenge?

7. Michael, his personality, strong, Lynne Jacobs as adviser, interactions with Michael, with the President? Morgan Freeman as the vice president, his vacation, talking about fishing – and the later code? The President, his staff, phone calls, meetings, the decision to go to England, the security plans?

8. The plans, efficiency, the flight to London, landing at Stansted, the helicopter, Somerset House? Precautions?

9. The Prime Minister, the meetings, his staff, Scotland Yard, the chief, the logistics for surveillance, for police on the streets? The safe house and the woman in charge?

10. The heads of government, the German chancellor and flower at Buckingham Palace, the Italians on Westminster Abbey, the French Prime Minister on the river?

11. The attacks, the deaths, traffic jams, the bridges, the police, weapons?

12. The President, arriving at St Paul’s, Mike and his caution, the attack, the car, the escape, the chase, Charing Cross Station, the underground and no fighting, the carriages, the tunnels, the confrontation with the terrorists, killing them? The helicopter to Stansted, returning? Lynne Jacobs and her death? The personal touches, godmother to the forthcoming baby?

13. In Washington, the vice president, the staff, the security meeting, the video images, the message from the terrorist? Contact with Mike? The signals, the information, the terrorists planned to kidnap the President, tortured him and kill him on social media?

14. The helicopter ride, Lynne dying, getting to the safe house, the contact with Washington, security and efficient code, the British military, getting into the safe house?

15. The body count, Mike and his killing, ability – and the film classification: strong bloody violence?

16. The personal story, Mike and his wife, the baby, her mother, watching the television, the birth of the child and happy ending?

17. Inside the safe house, the headquarters of the terrorists, generator going out, the camera? The troops defending? The deaths of the terrorist forces?

18. The taking of the President, the explanation of what was to happen, the technology, his being filmed, the TV broadcast throughout the world, his repeating his oath of office, staying calm?

19. Mike, the contact, coming to the rescue, the shootout with the President, getting out?

20. Determining who was the traitor, the assistant, the woman from the safe house knowing his identity, checking him out, the confrontation, his explanation of himself, the money, his death in the garage?

21. The reactions, audiences who enjoyed the film? Audiences with anti-US stances and gung ho attitudes and violence? The implications of the critique of
American use of drones? International response?

22. Contemporary realities of terror terrorism, the role of authorities, dealing with terrorists?