Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Ric Roman Waugh, Millennium Films, MA 121 Minutes.
The latest instalment in the ‘Fallen’ franchise sees Gerald Butler reprising his role as secret service agent Mike Banning but this time the focus is on him after being framed for the attempted assassination of President Trumball (Morgan Freeman).
Many may recall Trumball being the Speaker in “Olympus’, then Vice-President in ‘London’ and now as President having retained the trustworthy Banning as his main bodyguard simultaneously to a devastating drone attack taking place causing widespread death and destruction.
Despite saving Trumball from drowning following the surprise attack and before Banning can determine what actually happened he is arrested for the assassination attempt just as the President is being taken to hospital in a comatose condition.
During his interrogation by Special Agent Thomson (Jada Pinkett Smith –‘Bad Moms’) Banning denies any involvement, insisting on his innocence and unaware that acting President Kirby (Tim Blake Wilson –‘Fantastic Four’) has accused him of plotting with the Russian Government.
On his way to prison, Banning manages to escape due to the calculated intervention by members of a covert paramilitary force instigated by former friend Wade Jennings (Danny Huston –‘Wonder Woman’) in command of his own private army.
As someone on the run from the law, Banning seeks refuge in the forest where he is reunited with his reclusive father Clay (Nick Nolte –Noah’) whose strained relationship with his son does not stop him from offering his help.
It is when Trumball comes out of his coma to reclaim his presidency from a duplicitous VP that Banning’s fortunes start turning around, resulting in a race against time to prevent Wade from attempting to again assassinate the President.
With the backing of his secret service colleagues, and realising the real enemy lies within the administration, Banning wastes little time confronting Wade and his private army in a brutal battle where there is only one winner.
There is no doubt that Waugh maintains the series of entertaining fast and furious action scenes seen in each of the earlier films in this franchise with the added personal touch of including Banning’s father.
Besides Butler’s enjoyable performance one cannot overlook the portrayals of Freeman, Huston and Nolte, especially that of Pinkett Smith (wife of Will Smith), as the feisty FBI’s Special Agent.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
