Weekend Pick or Pass: Has Fallen (2024) on Moviebox

So, sit back and get comfy on the couch, grab that takeaway you've been eyeing, because we've got to talk about 'Has Fallen.' This 2024 release will pack all your essentials for a solid Friday night 'Action & Adventure' fill with a side of 'War' and 'Politics.' Directed by Howard Overman, this TV-MA rated show it drops us right into the aftermath of a terrorist attack where one must work with the other. They, alongside an MI6 operative, are tasked with identifying a mole and putting an end to the conspiracy to keep Paris from falling apart. Sounds like a classic Friday night opener, right?

At first, 'Has Fallen' does a great job of keeping you interested with its pace. The premise of a race against the clock to stop a conspiracy of a plot to destroy a city is also fairly conventional but offers a fairly good account on the 'action' side of the narrative. You have car chases, stand-offs, and all manner of spy-related behavior to keep you locked in and paying attention to the screen. The two leads, Tewfik Jallab and Ritu Arya, do a great job of bringing a much needed spark to their characters.

Critics seemed to love the chemistry between Arya and Jallab. Several critics, including The Guardian, particularly enjoyed Arya’s performance. Neil Armstrong from the i newspaper thought of Arya’s performance as a high point in a "silly but enjoyable action thriller" and praised her. That phrase really summarizes what this movie is. This is a type of film that, while you can just relax during your viewing, you can also enjoy the mindless plot with lots of action.

There are some less exciting parts to this job. Audience review sites have mostly been positive about 'Has Fallen', but as some viewers have pointed out, not everyone loved it. Some felt the spy antics were entertaining, but others saw the heavy-handed, almost misguided, portrayal of the political undertones. For example, one viewer described the series as “ghastly wokester drivel,” and thought the series ended up portraying the west’s political parties and intelligence agencies poorly. The series’ portrayal ended up representing a historically inaccurate narrative. There is strong criticism about this series and others that deal with the geopolitical realm, and it does show the "War & Politics" genre's definite separation of entertainment vs a raw and unfiltered commentary of the real world. It seems that the "War & Politics" world tries to keep a healthy balance between the two, but it seems it's been too far towards entertainment for the new series, 'Has Fallen'. Of course, with renowned actors like Sean Harris, who Adam Sweeting from The Arts Desk called “the show’s major calling card,” there is a sense of importance and value to the series, and while Sean Harris has a strong supporting role, it does not negate all the issues viewers had with the narrative.

There's not much 'Has Fallen' is trying to be other than an action-oriented popcorn movie that hits all the tropes. The cliche plots and thin political rhetoric make it a perfect movie to put on when you just want something that requires no thought and isn't film school homework. The movie is fast, there are some good acting performances and, as noted, charismatic leads. If you are ok with having some fun with a show having a lack of subtlety and self aware 'political framing', then moviebox has you covered for filling all your Saturday night viewings. This is a show that can play in the background while you give your brain a rest from your intellectual week. Don't be expecting grand works of literature or anything, but for what it is, it will entertain. For an action popcorn movie, this can hold all your entertainment needs. For people looking for substance and politics that are ground breaking over entertainment, may want to get up and find that older movie quick.