Movie Review: In “Angel Has Fallen” it’s Nick Nolte who walks away with the movie

Movie Review: “Angel Has Fallen” (R)

Is the third time the charm where the latest chapter in this violent action franchise is concerned? Despite the generic, formulaic, and altogether predictable plot, the answer is yes! Why and how? Well, I guess there’s something to be said for low expectations. Or maybe it wasn’t the low expectations at all. Maybe the legendary Nick Nolte is just that damn good! More on him in a minute.

In “Angel Has Fallen,” skilled Secret Service Agent Michael Banning (Gerard Butler) is framed for a catastrophic incident involving his team and for a most uncharacteristic assassination attempt on the President of the United States (played by Morgan Freeman — Aaron Eckhart’s Benjamin Asher has faithfully served his two terms and moved on). Thankfully, Banning’s ingenuity and military background aid in his escaping the authorities. After evading a fierce FBI agent (Jada Pinkett Smith), the police, and countless government officials, this confused but determined fugitive attempts to piece together who might behind his framing and his research, ultimately leading him to a handful of fairly obvious reveals that are mostly forgivable because of entertaining performances and surprisingly solid character work.

Even the most casual of moviegoers will be able to figure out who the real bad guys are in “Angel Has Fallen” inside of the first 20 minutes. But to this film’s credit, it doesn’t seem to care. And in fact, in the case of one character in particular, the movie lets the cat out of the bag early on, so it becomes a non-issue. Beyond that, the undeniably familiar “Angel Has Fallen” fuses plot elements of every ’80s and ’90s action thriller you can shake a stick at (most notably, “The Fugitive,” “Die Hard,” and “Rambo”).

“Angel Has Fallen” was directed by Ric Roman Waugh, a filmmaker who earlier in his career cut his teeth on stunt work in memorable movies like “They Live,” “Lethal Weapon 2,” and “The Crow.” As action movies go, “Angel Has Fallen” is well paced and features a handful of solid set pieces. That said, it should also be noted that several of the hand-to-hand combat scenes are handheld, close-up, and muddled to the point that it’s hard to see what’s going on. Furthermore, there are a few CG shots in the picture that are less than satisfactory. Thankfully, though, the movie is more often entertaining than not thanks to some pretty good performances.

Butler is back as a tired and beaten down Banning. This time around, there’s a warmth and sympathetic quality that was lacking in this character in the last picture. And given that Banning has been framed here, it makes the stakes a little more intimate. Freeman brings plenty of class to a stoic President Trumball while a tough and tenacious Smith brings the fire to a stern but fair FBI Agent Thompson. Tim Blake Nelson is also along for the ride as an on-edge Vice President Kirby while a charismatic Danny Huston hits all the right notes as Banning’s long-time friend Wade Jennings. Piper Perabo — who fills in for a departing Radha Mitchell as Banning’s supportive and concerned wife — is a bit underutilized here,  but she’s given a couple of moments to shine.

Of course, as you read at the top of the review, it’s veteran Nick Notle who serves as the most valuable player in this picture. As a grizzled war veteran and a mysterious man from Banning’s past, Nolte pretty much owns “Angel Has Fallen.” Watch as this salty old-timer hides Banning in his isolated cabin and sets out to exterminate a team of deadly mercenaries. Nolte is simply wonderful in this picture. He’s a burst of unpredictable energy, and he’s funny to boot — look no further than a hilarious bonus scene during the end credits. What’s more, when you least expect it, Nolte even goes so far as to bring a surprising amount of emotional weight to the table. It’s true. There’s a couple of moments in this picture that might even make you tear up.

If you can get past the familiar, and if you can get past the very idea that anyone in their right mind would ever suspect Banning of actually being guilty of what he’s been accused of in the first place, there should be enough action and excitement in the derivative but entertaining “Angel Has Fallen” to win you over. Furthermore, the dynamic between Banning and the primary villain is surprisingly effective, particularly in the final act. Perhaps best of all, though, the scene-stealing Nick Nolte ensures that “Angel Has Fallen” is totally worth watching.

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