White House Down

White House Down

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/31/13

Reviewed 7/1/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

White House Down is not only a similar premise to the recent Olympus Has Fallen, but it's pretty much the same movie with different actors. We both thought this one has the edge but at 132 minutes the ending dragged on a little long.

Channing Tatum is a delight (at least to look at) playing John Castle, a DC police officer trying to get his dream job with the Secret Service (SS). With his daughter Emily (Joey King) in tow, he has a desperate interview, almost pleading with a White House SS agent (Maggie Gyllenhaal) for a chance. Departing, John and Emily are asked piggy back on a last minute tour of the first family's home. The two get separated just in time for the takeover to begin. The President is played by talented Jamie Fox and he nailed some of the Obamaisms, I'm sure by design. The terrorists easily overtake every bumbling SS and military personnel that tries to put a halt to their plans. Their intentions are a little muddled at first with who is really in charge and of course there has to be a Judas or two in the mix to aid the bad guys. John doesn't single handedly wreak havoc into the plans to get their hands on the President. He has his daughter and that might be enough. Special effects in this film are a little computerized or cartoonish, as I heard someone call it which is a good description. But don't let this dissuade you from seeing this implausible yet satisfying movie. Good popcorn and this action-packed movie with some surprising humor thrown in from Fox and Tatum, will let you enjoy without a lot of thinking or figuring out. Sit back and be entertained!

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  Jj