London Has Fallen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A super-soldier babysitter blows up London to protect the President from brown people because they killed his daughter, but really, she’s a baby now.

🍿 London Has Fallen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening: Targeting Aamir Barkawi

The film begins with a special forces raid targeting Aamir Barkawi, a notorious arms dealer and terrorist leader, in Pakistan. The operation, authorized by Vice President Trumbull, results in significant collateral damage, including the unintended death of Barkawi’s daughter. This sets the stage for Barkawi’s thirst for revenge against the United States.

The Prime Minister’s Funeral and the Attack

Two years later, British Prime Minister James Wilson dies unexpectedly, drawing numerous world leaders to London for his funeral. Mike Banning, now expecting his first child, is part of President Asher’s security detail. As the leaders arrive, a coordinated terrorist attack unfolds, targeting key landmarks and prominent figures. Many world leaders are killed in rapid succession, showcasing the terrorists’ meticulous planning and infiltration.

President Asher and Banning Escape

Banning and Asher narrowly escape the initial attacks, finding themselves hunted through the streets of London. They face relentless pursuit from terrorists disguised as police and emergency personnel. The duo must navigate the chaos and devastation while trying to reach a safe extraction point. Director Lynne Jacobs is killed during their attempt to reach safety.

Uncovering the Mole and Rescuing Asher

Banning manages to contact Vice President Trumbull, and they head to an MI6 safe house. There, they meet Jax Marshall, who helps them uncover a mole within the British government aiding Barkawi. Asher is eventually captured, and Banning teams up with SAS and Delta Force commandos to launch a rescue mission. They storm the terrorists’ headquarters, leading to a final confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mike Banning (Gerard Butler): A highly skilled Secret Service agent dedicated to protecting the President, even amidst a large-scale terrorist attack.
• Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart): The President of the United States who becomes the primary target of a deadly terrorist plot.
• Aamir Barkawi (Alon Abutbul): A vengeful arms dealer and terrorist mastermind seeking to kill the world leaders responsible for the death of his family.
• VP Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman): The Vice President who takes charge in Washington and provides crucial support to Banning and Asher.
• Lynne Jacobs (Angela Bassett): The Director of the Secret Service who accompanies the President to London and assists with security.
• Kamran Barkawi (Waleed Zuaiter): The son of Aamir Barkawi, helping his father in executing the terrorist attack.
• Jax Marshall (Charlotte Riley): An MI6 agent who provides essential intelligence and assistance to Banning and Asher in London.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike Banning: “We’re gonna get through this, Mr. President.” – Banning reassures President Asher during the initial chaos of the attack.
• Mike Banning: “Get back to Fuckheadistan or wherever you’re from.” – Banning says this line to one of the terrorists before killing him.
• Benjamin Asher: “Mike, if it comes down to it, you know what you have to do.” – Asher tells Banning to kill him to prevent being captured and used as a propaganda tool.
• Lynne Jacobs: “Promise me you’ll make them pay.” – Jacobs’ last words to Banning, urging him to avenge the attack, before she dies from her wounds.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $62,524,260
• Worldwide Gross: $205,754,447

💥 London Has Fallen Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘London Has Fallen’ expecting a fun action movie, and it delivered on that front. Seeing Gerard Butler kick butt and save the president was entertaining, but I couldn’t help but feel the story was a bit too predictable. The explosions were cool, but the plot felt a bit thin, honestly. I liked the dynamic between Butler and Eckhart, they work well together. There was plenty to see, though it lacked originality, but I enjoyed it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action and thriller movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy Gerard Butler films”
  • “Those seeking a high-octane, suspenseful movie”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and action sequences”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief partial nudity”
  • “Terrorism”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “While ‘London Has Fallen’ offers a spectacle of destruction, its reliance on tired action tropes and questionable political undertones ultimately undermines its entertainment value. The performances are adequate, but the predictable plot and excessive violence detract from any real engagement.
• Variety: “‘London Has Fallen’ delivers on its promise of high-octane action, but struggles with originality and depth. Gerard Butler embodies the tough-guy persona effectively, though the film’s narrative is thin, leaning heavily on explosions and predictable plot points.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Gerard Butler returns as Mike Banning in this sequel with a high body count and plenty of explosions. The experience lacks any substance, resulting in a forgettable action flick.

Audience Reactions

Explosions and action kept me entertained even if the story wasn’t groundbreaking.: Viewers generally enjoyed the non-stop action and Gerard Butler’s performance as the tough-guy protector.

Gerard Butler’s performance as the tough and dedicated agent.: A common praise for Butler’s portrayal as Mike Banning, and felt like a natural fit for the role.

Overall Consensus: ‘London Has Fallen’ is a serviceable action film that provides thrills with explosions, however it suffers from lack of originality, weak political undertones and a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Due to scheduling conflicts, Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler don’t appear in the same scene together in person. The scene in the hallway at the White House uses body doubles, and doesn’t show faces.”
• “Several filming locations in London were recreated in Bulgaria to minimize costs and logistical challenges.”
• “Director Babak Najafi replaced Fredrik Bond just weeks before filming began due to creative differences.”

🖥️ How to Watch London Has Fallen?

London Has Fallen is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. For physical copies, look for the Blu-ray or DVD at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed London Has Fallen, you might like these similar films:

• Olympus Has Fallen (2013): The first film in the series, featuring the same characters and similar action-packed plot of protecting the President from terrorists.
• White House Down (2013): Another action film released in the same year as ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ with a similar premise of the White House being attacked.
• Air Force One (1997): Features a president taking a stand against terrorists.
• Angel Has Fallen (2019): The third movie in the ‘Has Fallen’ series, continuing the story of Mike Banning protecting the President, but with a different premise.

🛒 London Has Fallen Related Products

• Olympus Has Fallen [Blu-ray]: The predecessor to London Has Fallen, ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ offers a similar blend of action and suspense, providing context to the characters and story.
• Gerard Butler Autographed Photo: A professionally printed photograph of the actor Gerard Butler as Mike Banning. All autographs are guaranteed to be 100% authentic and come with a certificate of authenticity.
• Action Figures: Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the action figures capture the essence of the on-screen characters.
• Movie Poster: This poster is a high-quality print that captures the intensity of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

London Has Fallen features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Funeral” – performed by Trevor Morris
• “Assault On London” – performed by Trevor Morris
• “We Will Hunt Them Down” – performed by Trevor Morris

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

White House Security: Learn the Truth from a Former Secret Service Agent

Curious about how realistic the security measures in ‘London Has Fallen’ are? This video has fascinating insights from someone who knows best!

Mark Kermode’s Verdict: The Ups and Downs of ‘London Has Fallen’

Want to know what a professional critic thought of ‘London Has Fallen’? Check out Mark Kermode’s review for an honest take on its strengths and weaknesses.

✨ Rate