Title: Angel Has Fallen
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Starring: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lance Reddick, Tim Blake Nelson, Piper Perabo, Nick Nolte, and Danny Huston
Movie length: 1 hour 54 minutes
What It Is: The third film in the Fallen film series, following the events that took place in 2013’s Olympus Has Fallen and 2016’s London Has Fallen. The movie sees Mike Banning (played again by Gerard Butler) having been framed for an assassination attempt on President Trumbull (Freeman). He must turn to some unlikely allies in an attempt to clear his name, and find the real perpetrators.
Photo Credit: Jack English 
Photo Credit: Jack English 
Photo Credit: Jack English
What I Thought: The first two movies in the series were good Summer action films that made around $400 million combined, so it was not surprising that a third was made. The first two movies were about a major area (Washington D.C. in Olympus Has Fallen, and London in London Has Fallen) so before the movie started I wondered what major area would be destroyed. I’m glad to say that was not the case in this movie, which made it even more enjoyable since it was not a repeat of the first two movies.
The first act has so many explosions though that Michael Bay may have been a bit jealous. Considering the Director was an ex-stuntman it’s not that surprising that a lot of stunt people were used in the opening scene along with LOTS of explosions.
As for the story line itself it was decent, but it was easy to figure out who the mastermind behind everything was right away. That kind of took away a bit of the surprise when it was revealed, but how they got to the reveal was good.
While the main cast were good, I do have to say that even though he was not on the screen that much Nolte stole every scene he was in. Including the pre-credit scene after the movie wraps up.
If you are a fan of Butler and the first two movies, this is a good follow-up to them and takes the story in a new direction.
My Grade: B-. While it was a good action flick and moves well for a movie just under two hours, the fact it was easy to figure out the mastermind early took away from some of the suspense. If you need a good action movie this weekend, this one will fit the bill.
Angel Has Fallen opens August 23rd in the United States.
