Hat tip to Hollywood producers for playing to the public’s worst fears. Olympus Has Fallen is a movie that shows the security vulnerabilities of the seat of power of the United States. It thrives on the depiction of shock-inducing images like a bullet hole ridden American flag, armor piercing bullets ripping through innocent tourists, half of the White House obliterated, Asian nationes gearing up for a full fledged war, Washington Monument collapsing on itself, among others.
But the story line is so weak, so weak that it distracts from the feeling of dread and awe that these images are supposed to produce.
The weakest link was the so called traitor who was responsible for allowing this security breach to happen. When confronted by the President with disgust and disbelief that one of his closest aides has turned, the reply and his only explanation for helping orchestrate what is supposedly the worst terrorist attack ever perpetrated on his motherland is a very unsatisfactory – “Me?! A traitor? What about you, with your globalization, and your Wall Street!” That’s where his explanation stops. I kid you not.. There is no further dwelling on his role, his motivations. Nothing!
And that is just about as much non sense that I can take from a movie.
The saving grace is that the movie is quick, there are a few well choreographed fight sequences, some smart one liners, and steady performances from Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman. But this isn’t a must-see movie. It is strictly average, and to be seen only when you have a couple of hours to spend on mindless fast paced action.
