Olympus Has Fallen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgraced Secret Service agent has to save the President from terrorists who really, REALLY hate America, mostly by stabbing them a lot.

🍿 Olympus Has Fallen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Tragic Loss and a Demotion

The film opens with Secret Service agent Mike Banning enjoying a close relationship with President Benjamin Asher and his family. Tragedy strikes during a Christmas trip, resulting in the death of the First Lady. Banning, though saving the President, is wracked with guilt and reassigned to a desk job at the Treasury Department. This creates distance between Banning and the President.

The White House Under Siege

Eighteen months later, while President Asher hosts the South Korean Prime Minister, the White House is attacked by a heavily armed North Korean terrorist group led by Kang. A coordinated assault involving a disguised aircraft and ground forces overwhelms the security, taking the President and his staff hostage in the underground bunker. ‘Olympus has fallen’ becomes the code signifying the White House is compromised. Banning, witnessing the attack from his nearby office, rushes to the scene.

Banning’s One-Man War

Inside the White House, Banning becomes a one-man army, using his intimate knowledge of the building to evade and eliminate the terrorists. He establishes contact with Speaker Trumbull, now acting President, providing vital intelligence and disrupting Kang’s plans. Banning’s primary objective is to rescue the President’s son, Connor, who is being used as leverage. He manages to locate and secure Connor, ensuring his safety outside the White House.

Failed Rescue Attempts and High Stakes

Trumbull authorizes a SEAL team assault to retake the White House, but Kang’s forces deploy an advanced anti-aircraft weapon, resulting in heavy casualties. Kang’s demands escalate, threatening to detonate America’s nuclear arsenal using a system called Cerberus. He forces the President to reveal access codes, setting the stage for a catastrophic chain of events. A traitor within the President’s security detail is revealed adding another layer of treachery.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mike Banning (Gerard Butler): A former Secret Service agent who must use his skills to rescue the President when the White House is under attack.
• President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart): The President of the United States who is taken hostage during a terrorist attack on the White House.
• Speaker Trumbull (Morgan Freeman): The Speaker of the House who becomes acting President during the White House siege and supports Banning’s efforts.
• Kang (Rick Yune): The ruthless North Korean terrorist leader who orchestrates the attack on the White House.
• Secret Service Director Lynn Jacobs (Angela Bassett): The head of the Secret Service, who works from the outside to coordinate efforts and support Banning’s actions inside the White House.
• Forbes (Dylan McDermott): A former Secret Service agent turned traitor who aids the terrorists in their attack on the White House.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike Banning: “Why don’t you and I play a game of fuck off. You go first.” – Banning says this to Kang in a defiant act of resistance and mockery when facing overwhelming odds.
• Mike Banning: “I’m gonna stick my knife right through your brain.” – Banning threatens Kang during their final confrontation, showcasing his determination to stop the terrorist plot.
• President Benjamin Asher: “We do not negotiate with terrorists.” – Asher makes a firm declaration, reflecting the U.S. policy, even when held hostage and facing immense pressure.
• Speaker Trumbull: “Banning, you do what you gotta do.” – Trumbull authorizes Banning to use any means necessary to save the President and the country.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $98,925,640
• Worldwide Gross: $170,270,201

💥 Olympus Has Fallen Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ isn’t winning any awards for originality, but I had a blast! The action is non-stop and Gerard Butler is the ultimate action hero. I loved the scene where he’s sneaking through the White House, taking out the bad guys one by one. It’s pure adrenaline! Sure, it’s a bit over-the-top and relies on some pretty predictable tropes, but sometimes you just want to switch off your brain and enjoy the ride, and this movie delivers that in spades. Definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some explosive entertainment.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action movies with high levels of violence.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ‘Die Hard’ style scenarios with a one-man army.”
  • “Those looking for a straightforward, suspenseful thriller without complex plots.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense and graphic violence, including gunfights, stabbings, and explosions.”
  • “Strong language throughout the film.”
  • “Themes of terrorism and national security, which may be disturbing to some viewers.”
  • “Brief depictions of torture and hostage situations.”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Olympus Has Fallen is a relentlessly paced action film that delivers thrills, but lacks originality. Gerard Butler is convincing as the tough-as-nails hero, but the plot is predictable and relies heavily on genre tropes. Enjoyable, but don’t expect any surprises.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ offers plenty of explosive action, it suffers from a simplistic and jingoistic narrative. The film is undeniably exciting, but its reliance on over-the-top violence and stereotypical characters ultimately detracts from the experience.
• Variety: “Antoine Fuqua’s direction is competent, delivering a visceral action experience, but the script’s lack of depth and nuance holds it back. ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ is a serviceable action flick, but it fails to elevate itself beyond its genre limitations.

Audience Reactions

The non-stop action kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!: Viewers loved the intense action sequences and Gerard Butler’s performance.

It’s totally unrealistic, but so much fun to watch!: Many found the movie entertaining despite its far-fetched plot.

Overall Consensus: A high-octane action film that delivers thrills but lacks originality; best enjoyed with expectations in check.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot primarily in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana, to take advantage of tax incentives.”
• “The filmmakers consulted with former Secret Service agents to create a realistic portrayal of an attack on the White House.”
• “Two other films with similar plots, ‘White House Down’ and ‘Air Force One’, were released around the same time, leading to comparisons and discussions about which was the ‘better’ White House action movie.”
• “To prepare for his role, Gerard Butler underwent extensive training in hand-to-hand combat and weapons handling.”

🖥️ How to Watch Olympus Has Fallen?

Olympus Has Fallen is widely available to rent or buy on various digital platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service or digital retailer for specific availability in your region. Physical copies (Blu-ray/DVD) are also available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Die Hard (1988): Classic action movie with a lone hero fighting terrorists in a confined location. ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ is essentially ‘Die Hard’ in the White House.
• Air Force One (1997): Features a U.S. President fighting terrorists who have hijacked his plane, similar to the ‘leader in danger’ theme.
• White House Down (2013): Released in the same year, this movie features a similar plot of the White House being attacked, providing a direct comparison in themes and execution.
• 24 (2001-2010): TV Series involving Jack Bauer thwarting terrorist attacks to protect the country with elements of political intrigue and action.

🛒 Olympus Has Fallen Related Products

• Olympus Has Fallen [4K UHD]: Experience the White House siege in stunning 4K Ultra HD. The intense action and visual effects are enhanced with HDR for a truly immersive viewing experience.
• Gerard Butler Autographed ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ Movie Poster: A rare and authentic autographed movie poster featuring Gerard Butler. A must-have for collectors and fans of the actor and the movie.
• Olympus Has Fallen: Mike Banning Action Figure: Highly detailed action figure of Mike Banning, featuring realistic likeness and movie-accurate accessories. Perfect for display or recreating your favorite scenes.
• Has Fallen Series Triple Feature [DVD]: All three of the Has Fallen movies including Olympus Has Fallen on one DVD pack.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Christmas With The Man I Love” – performed by Andrew Kingslow and Sarah Dowling
• “The Star-Spangled Banner” – performed by Various Artists

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything Wrong With Olympus Has Fallen In 15 Minutes

Want to see Olympus Has Fallen brutally critiqued? Check out CinemaSins’ humorous breakdown, where they expose all the absurdity and plot holes in just 15 minutes. It’s a fun and insightful watch for fans of the movie or anyone who enjoys a good laugh at the expense of Hollywood blockbusters.

Secret Service Agent Rates 11 POTUS Protection Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It?

Curious about how accurate Olympus Has Fallen is in portraying presidential security? This video features a former Secret Service Agent analyzing the movie’s scenes and explaining what’s realistic and what’s not. It’s a fascinating watch for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes details of protecting the President.

Top 10 Gerard Butler Movies

If you’re a fan of Gerard Butler, check out this video that ranks his top 10 movies, including Olympus Has Fallen. It’s a great way to discover other great films starring this talented actor.

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