When the UK Prime Minister and US President become the targets of a foreign adversary, they’re forced to rely on one another to thwart a global conspiracy.
Chuck says:
In the new film “Heads of State,” John Cena plays Will Derringer, an action movie star who winds up getting elected President of the United States, voters unable to distinguish the difference between his big screen exploits and the reality of governing. What would have once been thought improbable would now likely be welcomed by many.
I suppose if we can have Harrison Ford as a butt-kicking commander-in-chief in “Air Force One,” seeing Cena in the Oval Office isn’t that much of a leap. And to be fair, the actor continues to impress as Derringer, a well-meaning blowhard who believes his own press, quite sure that any diplomatic problem can be solved using force or by turning on the charm. He’s joined by Idris Elba as British Prime Minister Sam Clarke, a by-the-books statesman who resents his counterpart’s easy climb to power and lack of political experience.
Though they loath one another, they’re forced to work together when, while traveling together on Air Force One, it’s shot down over Belarus. On their own in Russian territory, they must rely on their brawn and wits to reach Italy where a NATO conference is being held. Shenanigans instituted by terrorist Viktor Gradof (Paddy Considine) threaten to destroy the institution and only the two presumed-dead world leaders can hold it together.
Director Ilya Naishuller leans into the film’s B-Movie premise, delivering a series of convincing, and at times, exciting action sequences, finding laughs where he can. No one is taking any of this too seriously, though real world politics do creep in, especially when a key character espouses the notion that the United States would be better off taking an isolationist stance where international conflicts are concerned.
However, this is done in passing, Naishuller fully aware the audience for “Heads” could care less about world politics and are more interested in seeing things blow up real good. The scene in which Air Force One is taken down will likely satisfy action junkies while a third-act car chase through the narrow streets of Trieste, Italy is a showstopper, quick cutting and well-timed pyrotechnics effectively used to thrill.
Of course, none of this would hold together if it weren’t for Elba and Cena, their antagonistic chemistry generating not simply laughs, but a sense of growing respect and camaraderie between the characters. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is also on hand as covert agent Noel Bisset, the actress quite convincing when kicking butt and taking names, while Carla Gugino is also on board as Vice-President Elizabeth Kirk. Rounding out the impressive supporting cast is Jack Quaid as Marty Comer, a field agent who worships Derringer and goes to great lengths to save his hide.
And while “Heads” is reasonably executed, in a world in which the “Mission: Impossible” and “John Wick” films break the action movie mold with each new entry, this is small potatoes. As such, it wasn’t given a big-screen release and can only be seen on Amazon Prime. But in a sense, that’s a Win-Win proposition. You don’t have to buy a $10 ticket and a $15 bucket of popcorn to take in a movie that will fade from your memory as soon as the credits start to roll. You have to take small victories like these where you can find them.
2 1/2 Stars
