ANGEL HAS FALLEN
The third entry in the Banning saga is a spirited thriller that keeps this series alive. A flawed and predictable story gets in the way with
plot holes that occasionally get smoothed over by director Ric Roman Waugh, a former stuntman who knows how to fill the screen with action. Waugh co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Cook and Robert Mark Kamen, from a story by Katrin Benedikt and Creighton Rothenberger. With all of this writing power, the movie should have been better. Many stunt-filled battle and chase sequences liven things up - and a first-rate cast doesn't hurt. Gerard Butler is believable as the still formidable hero who is suffering from age and past injuries - reluctantly heading towards a desk job. Morgan Freeman adds an authoritative presence as the country's leader. He has gone from Speaker to VP to President in this franchise. I wonder if Mr. Freeman has gotten raises in line with the promotions? Danny Huston as Banning's mercenary friend, Tim Blake Nelson as Vice President Kirby, Piper Perabo as Mike's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith as a determined FBI agent and Lance Reddick as the Secret Service Director lend credibility to this film. But the biggest surprise is a truly magnetic performance by Nick Nolte as Banning's estranged father, a grizzled war vet loner who steps up to aid his fugitive son. He dominates every scene he's in. The "R" rating is earned with a generous amount of realistic bloody violence - keeping it adults only. There is a humorous scene during the credits, so don't leave early. The energetic "Angel Has Fallen" rises to the occasion. (3/5 CAMS)
Rated R (for violence and language throughout)
Running Time: 120 minutes
