Heads of State
                                                                                      
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Year: 2025
Rating: 7.0
Remind me never to accept an invitation to ride on Air Force One. After this film and the Harrison Ford film that I watched last week, they need much better security. Or at least anyone who looks like a professional killer should probably be vetted much closer. This movie is so ridiculous that it makes Harrison Ford killing all the terrorists seem realistic. Totally absurd and silly, but fortunately it never takes itself seriously for a minute and makes for a fairly fun film. What is surprising is how Pro-NATO it is and how anti America First it is. Those damn liberals in Hollywood!




I actually just wanted to watch another Priyanka Chopra film after seeing The Bluff and what do you know, her character kills nearly as many here as in that film. Is Priyanka the female Liam Neeson? Ok, not nearly as old and cranky as he is, but suddenly turning into an action star this late in her career is a nice move. She isn't the top star in the film though. That goes to Idris Elba and John Cena who play the British Prime Minister and the President of the USA. Strange casting on the face of it - a black Prime Minister and an ex-professional wrestler who no one has ever accused of being a good actor playing the President - but it kind of works because of how it plays out. The two of them can't stand each other as soon as they meet - insults fly back and forth. Elba is serious as the PM while Cena's President is an ex-actor and has a George W. Bush dimwitted vibe about him. This can only go in one direction. Buddy film! There is always room for another Buddy movie in Hollywood.




Yes, a traditional buddy film. Hate turns to slow respect and to friendship. They are both flying on Air Force One when it is sabotaged and they have to parachute out. The plane crashes and everyone assumes they are dead. Instead, they are trying to survive attempts to kill them by terrorists. That is where the MI6 agent played by Priyanka comes in as she saves them time after time. It is way over the top as they fend off killers, beat up a gang of punks, dodge missiles and save NATO. All while poking fun at each other. The action set pieces are actually well done and the comedy is light and fluffy. It is an enjoyable if forgettable mix.