Review: “Angel Has Fallen” Shows A Franchise With Staying Power

Angel Has Fallen reminds us just how watchable Gerard Butler can be irrespective of the movie. His grizzled demeanour, aged action hero credentials and that ability to be exactly the same in every movie brings its own comfort.

Directed by Ric Roman Waugh and featuring an extremely harassed Gerard Butler, Angel Has Fallen proves yet again that Mike Banning never catches a break. Set up from minute one by an old friend, Scotland’s second favourite son rights some wrongs, kills some bad guys and looks in dire need of Aspirin. On the run with his trademark hang dog expression Butler takes his levels of invulnerability to new heights, escaping arrest and evading capture in true Harrison Ford Fugitive style.

With Morgan Freeman back for some much needed bed rest due to explosions, comas and narrative necessity, Tim Blake Nelson steps up to take over. Which on the one hand shows audiences a side we rarely see, but also signposts in typical style that something is afoot. On this occasion Danny Huston, Jada Pinkett Smith and Nick Nolte way in adding further spice to an already heady brew of secret service double cross.

Huston growls, bitch slaps and issues threats like a veteran while Pinkett Smith does secret agent savvy without breaking sweat. However what makes Angel Has Fallen more fun is the unexpected chemistry between Nolte and Butler. On screen Nolte is more beard than man delivering a pithy heartfelt performance through facial hair a foot thick before blowing people up, exchanging one liners and throwing in a little pathos.

What this does is give the franchise something new without taking anything away. For the first time this is not just Butler running around snapping necks, breaking legs or shooting bad guys. Here there are moments of genuine emotion that the dynamic between Nolte and Butler brings out in spades. Sure people die, yes you will know the bad guys within five minutes but be honest that’s why we watch Gerard Butler anyway.

Angel Has Fallen reminds us just how watchable he can be irrespective of the movie. His grizzled demeanour, aged action hero credentials and that ability to be exactly the same in every movie brings its own comfort. Nuance is something for the other guy who expresses feelings, provides depth and gets emotional in front of people. Butler expresses emotion in a blunt workmanlike way which always comes off as disillusioned alpha male with a hint of melancholy. That combination of veiled vulnerability with heavy artillery continues making this a franchise with staying power.