Posted by Heads of State is an retro action flick whose modus operandi is big, dumb fun. Idris Elba is the embattled British Prime Minister Sam Clarke and John Cena is the newly elected, action star American president Will Derringer who pops over to London to press the flesh. There is some beef between the two and after Derringers trip they both hop aboard air force one to try and patch things up, but evil forces are at play and it gets shot down. Now the two rivals must team up, get to safety and beat the baddies before it is too late.
This dangerously thin plot is just shiny foil for the love/hate relationship between Clarke and Derringer and all the over the top action and explosive hi-jinks they get caught up in. It may sound hokey and trite but Nobody director Ilya Naishuller has delivered a light hearted joy with a 1980s feel, in its action and the Lethal Weapon style buddy element at play.
Idris Elba and John Cena are good value, as they bicker and try to out do each other – until a begrudging bromance blossoms. Priyanka Chopra is the suave MI6 agent Bisset tasked with helping out the macho chuckle brothers, Jack Quaid is a rather hyperactive CIA agent Marty Comer and Paddy Considine is Russian criminal Gradov with an almost Russell Crowe in Robin Hood worthy accent.
The action is noteworthy as well, with a hearty dose of slapstick to it. It starts off with a tussle amongst a ton of tomatoes. Air Force One gets brought down in spectacular fashion, although you would think the ‘leader of the free world’ would have better security and vetting in place. The car chase involving the beast in Trieste is a highlight as well, with Motley Crue’s ‘Kickstart My Heart’ a suitably frenetic soundtrack.
A big, daft and thoroughly entertaining action comedy that, despite its plot touching upon NATO and Russia, stays off the soapbox.
7.5/10
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