By: Jamie Steinberg
What happens when the President of the United States teams up with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to save themselves from one big bad guy? You get the buddy comedy that is Heads of State. When a Russian super-criminal shoot down Air Force One with the two on board, they must unite and kick butt across Eastern Europe to save themselves.
US President Will Derringer (John Cena) and UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) are aboard Air Force One when Russian ultra baddy Viktor Gradov (Paddy Considine) decides to attack. Derringer was once a famed Hollywood actor but holds no real fighting talent (like if Arnold Schwarzeneggar elected to run our country). Clarke was in the Special Air Services, thankfully, so he has some skills, yet he never saw combat. This sets the scene for the enjoyable romp that is Heads of State.
Cena’s typical snark is ever apparent as they begrudgingly traipse throughout Eastern Europe battling bad guys. Meanwhile, Elba plays a loveable grouch. Thus, these two give of a modern day banter that was once beloved by Grumpy Old Men franchise stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Add in an Intelligence operative Noel Bissett (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) as Clarke’s former flame tasked with helping these two survive and you’ve got yourself one heck of an action-packed movie.
Directed by Ilya Naishuller, Heads of State delivers on the comedy and the butt-kicking. The car chase scene is where Naishuller shines as the camera follows a high speed, sharp corner action sequence and then pauses on a nearby group of nuns nearby that give the sign of the cross. Also, on a personal note, I enjoyed a cameo by a traumatized hacker played by Stephen Root. Add in a scene at La Tomatina – the world’s largest food fight – and you’ve got yourself a funny and fun-filled film.
Shout out to writers Josh Applebaum, Harrison Query and André Nemec for crafting an enjoyable romp. The story may be light (hence the brief synopsis above), but the duo of Cena and Elba delivers the action and comedy you’re looking for in a summer film. Start making the popcorn, grab a cold soda and then snag a seat on the couch to catch Heads of State.