White House Down is the latest flick from master of disaster, Roland Emmerich. He’s responsible for disaster films such as Independence Day, Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow, and 2012. You get the point. His latest film stars Channing Tatum as a U.S. Capitol Police officer John Cale who gets stuck in the White House after a hostile group takes over with the goal of capturing President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Things go south for John quickly as he fails to impress as his interview for the Secret Service after the interviewer turns out to be an old college acquaintance, Carol Finnerty (Maggie Gyllenhaal). He brought his daughter Emily (Joey King) to the White House with him to catch a speech by President Sawyer after his interview, only to be foiled by the forces that blow up the White House and take it over. He becomes separated from Emily and finds himself as the only one available to protect the President.
If it sounds familiar that’s because a movie sporting nearly the same plot came out a few months ago with Olympus Has Fallen. Only this time Foxx is the President and Tatum is the rescuer. It’s a silly blow-up type movie, something that Emmerich can do in his sleep by now. You can’t help but be reminded of Die Hard, Air Force One, and of course, Independence Day. Hell, the latter was even referenced in the film, a not so sly wink from the director himself.
The movie is fine for what it is, as it’s just silly stupid entertainment. But there was absolutely no room for surprise, despite how clever the film thinks it is. Writer James Vanderbilt absolutely airmails ever little twist and turn. Anyone who is even half-asleep and paying attention will be able to predict how it all down before it happens. I was able to guess every “twist” that the movie threw at us, not because I’m some expert at hints or film techniques, but because the writing isn’t as nearly cleaver as it is. People’s betrayals and motives are too predictable, there is no room left for surprise.
With that said, White House Down does provide its fair share of fun an excitement. Tatum and Foxx aren’t at their best, but when they’re together on screen you can’t help to be entertained and just take in all the ludicrous explosions and violence. Tatum did all of his own stunts at it shows, something that really does make a difference. I know it’s easy to hate on the guy, but you gotta respect a man who does his own stunts. Foxx is fine in his role, even though its more of a humorous play on the modernity of Obama’s Presidency.
Joey King who plays John’s daughter Emily is a solid young actress, and Nicolas Wright is funny as the tour guide who almost steals the show with some ridiculously one liners that you can’t help but giggle at. Jason Clarke is solid once again as one of the mercenaries, continuing his hot streak as of late (Zero Dark Thirty, The Great Gatsby, Lawless). It hasn’t been hinted at much in any previews or trailer, but White House Down actually sports a solid cast: Richard Jenkins, James Woods, Lance Reddick, Jimmi Simpson, Matt Craven.
White House down is somewhat forgettable but its also somewhat fun. It runs a little long at 2 hours and 10 minutes but most of the action will make up for that. If I had to compare, I would give the advantage to Olympus Has Fallen by just a hair, but both will end up being fine late night watches next summer when you just want to turn your mind off for a bit of dumb popcorn entertainment.
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