The President of the US and the Prime Minister of the UK have to save themselves from a terrorist attack in the fun, light comic-action flick Heads of State, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
At first glance, it sounds like a joke movie from 30 Rock or any industry satire: the President and the Prime Minister fight terrorists in an action flick! It’s a silly concept, one that might be ripe for puns or gags based on the positions or even after-the-fact jokes, “remember that time John Cena played the President, bantering with Idris Elba?” Heads of State is not a joke, though it is a comedy, but a very real movie now streaming on Amazon Prime. It’s a good one, but nothing too special, not using the concept to its best potential. But, it has solid leads, a good sense of action and pacing, and is a good-enough movie to watch with some buds and beer after a July 4th cookout. Heads of State is a fun but standard mismatched buddy-cop flick with a twist.
John Cena’s President of the United States, a charismatic former action movie star, is forced to team up with Idris Elba’s surly Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; of course, they don’t get along and have to become reluctant friends as they try to survive their adventure. After a contemptuous meet-up, the well-liked, more for his earlier popularity than policy, new President offers the long-serving but troubled Prime Minister a ride on Air Force One to a conference, where it seems NATO might dissolve. Before Harrison Ford can grumble “Get off my plane” terrorists attack, crashing the plane leaving the pair as the lone surivovors, stranded in Eastern Europe (unfortunately, former SSRs are still treated like backwoods hicks including a ride on a truck with sheep. Can we retire this joke?). As the villain, a generic arms dealer played by Paddy Considine, hunts them down, they make their way through the countryside and eventually meet up with spy Noel Bisset. Played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, she squares just as well against both of the more well-known leads with a wonderful but likely to be unsung energy. Speaking of side-players: The Always-Great Carla Gugino, Stephen Root, and Shartlo Copley are also on hand as the Vice President! Whoo hoo, character actors!
The sheer charisma of the pair (and Jones) is more than enough to drive the film and make it entertaining for the viewer. Elba and Cena are both magnetism monsters, exuding instant watchability (which has helped each get through some of their lesser films). They had wonderful chemistry in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, playing off one another, and they bring that ease of connection to Heads of State.
It’s good to have such pizzaz-laden leads, as removing the “heads of state” aspect leaves a pretty standard mid-range action flick. One that is fun, with a lot of enjoyable sequences, but doesn’t do much to stand out, with well-worn plot turns, and spy technobabble. The type you’d find playing at 4 pm on TNT on Saturday afternoon across the 90s. Perfectly watchable, with several memorable moments such as the opening battle at the La Tomatina festival or the Wes Anderson montages, banter between two notable names, and a short bit with an energetic Jack Quaid (continuing to prove himself as a great character actor).
I can’t help but think a further push into the comedy half of the description would have delivered a better film. There’s a sense of satire baked in, with the concept and the characters. I first thought we were heading to a Big Trouble in Little China sort of thing: bravado cocky President belives he’s the main hero, while his “sidekick” the PM knows exactly what he’s doing (he did serve in spec ops). John Cena has proven himself to be a fantastic comic actor; he has incredible timing, and I wish the movie worked more with it (here’s where I recommend the underappreciated Blockers). While there are a few moments where Cena does have the “I did this in a movie” sort of thing, it’s not focused throughout. Mostly, it’s a mid-level action film with a unique set of leads. Shame as director Ilya Naishuller’s previous action films, Hardcore Henry and Nobody, did well to turn on tropes. Funny enough, the original screenplay by Harrison Query (who also gets story by credit) was a serious action film, with the comedy turn coming from the director and new screenwriters Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec. Taking a few more steps in that direction could be a more absurd, over-the-top, in-on-the-joke flick.
Looking back over my review, I realize the write-up is a little backhanded compliment-heavy. Yes, this, but no over here. But know this, I’m not a big action movie person. For some reason, I have to be wowed to go nuts, but we all have our things – I’ll likely rave over a formula slasher film if it gives some fun kills, and others are that for action. So, yes, I wasn’t wowed by Heads of State, but I did have a good time, and I think you will, too. There is plenty to enjoy, especially the great duo of John Cena and Idris Elba. After The Suicide Squad and Heads of State, I’d gladly watch more of them as a continuing comic pair-up.
I enjoyed this more than I expected to. Good fun.