Quick Review: Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
MARCH 22, 2013

Finally, Gerard Butler steps away from the romantic comedy doldrums and into a much better role. Taking on the task of defending the White House, “Olympus Has Fallen” is the first of two Washington D.C. terrorist attack films centered around the President’s house set to release this year (“White House Down” coming this summer). And for the most part, Fuqua’s action film sets the bar high, with a stacked ensemble cast including Aaron Eckhardt, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, and Dillan McDermott.

The script is tight, providing plenty of tasks that are never easy but that never take too long. Butler is a shining example of what an action hero should be, focused and intelligent, bold and determined. “Olympus Has Fallen” was the “Die Hard” film we were waiting for this year with enough originality and darkness to set it apart. As cheesy as the advertisements made it seem, this film rises above and produces a good action film.

RELEASE DATE
March 22, 2013

DIRECTOR
Antoine Fuqua

WRITTEN BY
Creighton Rothenberger
Katrin Benedikt

STUDIO
FilmDistrict

R
(for strong violence and language throughout)

ACTION
THRILLER
119 minutes