Heads of State (2025)
First, survival, then justice.
I saw a headline for a new movie that promised action and politicians, and thought "this looks my kind of stupid." Look, presidents and politicians are boring - but as an action movie? The president in Independance Day was awesome, and we got plenty of presidential fun in the whatever Down franchise - so certainly this one should bring some entertaining action, and considering the cast I assume some good jokes too. Put on your tux and grab some fish, tonight we watch Heads of State.
A spec ops hit on a Russian arms dealer goes south when it seems it was all an intentional trap. Cut to the moderatly fresh United States president meeting up with the British Prime Minister for the first time before heading off to a NATO summit. The two couldn't seem to be more different from one another, and it doesn't take long before they start poking and proding back and forth at each other and their approaches. In an example of good publicity, their aids decide it might be good for them to both fly on the president's plane to the summit, which on paper is a great idea - until the same band of baddies from the spec ops flip show up and blow the plane out of the sky. The two manage to escape the plane before it crashes, but now they need to get out of potentially hostile territory all on their own - and that's not even including whatever nefarious plot might be going on in the background!
Actors here do a wonderful job. Everyone seems like they are giving it their all, and it ends up being more entertaining because of it. Yeah, the henchman types can get a bit whatever - not so much from the actors phoning it in but rather just how they were directed and written I think - but beyond that it feels pretty good. We get a kick butt lady agent, and both the so-dubbed heads get their moments to have some stand out bits. Yes, admittedly, it's usually the president getting the butt of the jokes, and how much of that is just tried-and-trusted Cena delivering comedy and how much of it is just it being super easy when it comes to sterotypes one could perhaps take some guesses at - but the classic format of "straight laced and goofball" comes into play between Idris and Cena, and the chemistry there is what's going to propel most of your desire to watch the movie, so it's good that it's not phoned in or horrible (at least if you ask me).
Characters do have a little bit to them, but it doesn't always feel super deep. Our three hero-types are a bit unbalanced in a way - the President feels like he has that unbeatable hope outlook, but as far as deep plot points or rich history feels a bit more shallow then the other two - in part because the other two have a bit of past together that gets to come out as you go, allowing for a bit more change in character over our somewhat curmodgeony prime minister as the movie goes on. The villain actually gets a pretty well laid out backstory drop at the same time - although it's used more to speak to political affairs then it is to really make him super relatable, given he is and was an arms dealer doing naughty shady stuff regardless of the story drop. More so then the characters, it does feel like there is some underlying stuff the movie would like to comment on - and part of that might be helped or hurt by how some of the characters are a bit more over the top or cartoonish (especially on the American side) to remind you that you aren't just watching a super serious movie.
Baddies need to ketchup to this operative
Costumes are a modern day kind of thing. In fact, a lot of it is fine dress and tux from our main two leads. It all fits in well and does it's job, but in turn leaves one a bit devoid of much to really point out about it. The real standouts would probably be some of the slightly up-fictioned armor suits of a few of the baddies, but beyond that the flamboyant holiday holdout safe house worker is probably one of the more eye-catching on account of just how much color he brings to things with that hawaiian style shirt. Arguably, I might even say that scene in general is just my favorite on account of how many wild things it pulls out during it - action scene, interesting usages of the environment and tactics, but also still laying on some quirkiness that makes it not just another attempt at something like John Wick. Settings get to be a bit more varied, what with the mild globe-trotting of different locales and modes of transportation, so it won't ever really feel that boring to watch even if your not getting the most mileage out of interesting costumes.
The action is pretty good here, with plenty of explosions, gun fights, vehicle action, and fisticuffs. It's all shot pretty well, although once or twice it might not be as good as other times. Still, if you came to the movie for action you should leave satisfied. It's got some blood here and there, but as you could probably guess from the PG13 rating, it's also nothing too graphic. Sometimes the gags are worked into the action, like the entire first fight between our heads and a bunch of punks, and other times it leaves the laughs for outside of them with things like puns. It's a lot of stuff that doesn't feel wasted, and of course how funny you find it is all going to be dependent on your personal humor - I wasn't rolling around slapping my knees, but I did have a heck of a grin and some good chuckles at various moments.
Line deliveries from the actors and how they play with each other accounts to some of that, with a nice audio balance that doesn't leave you not hearing things bolstering it. There are some recognizable songs on there that might stick with people - like that 5 seconds of Total Eclipse of the Heart - but it largely just does what it does supports the scenes until it feels like throwing in the pop stuff for the sake of it. As for the thinking person, you'll find all matter of stuff in there in lines with political thrillers. Secrets, betrayals, motivations, as well as things like hope and trying to do good things - that "great power great responsibilities" sort of thing. It's not all super under the table when bringing them up, but it also doesn't feel too entirely preachy about any of it either, so you can still just have a good time laughing and watching the explosions if that's more your thing.
Don’t get down!
It’s a good mix of action and comedy. It might be a bit too typical in some regards for people looking for something totally out there and different, but overall for me it hit the spot of being entertaining. It has a good cast, some good action and a slathering of laughs. Fun locales, at times absurd scenes playing out - and the story works and oddly enough to some extent even seems incredibly believable if you want something to laugh about now and be haunted by when you think about it in the shower later. I’d say this one is an easy check it out for a good branch of people.