Angel Has Fallen

The life of a Secret Service agent seems as though it would be tougher than ever these days. But even so, Angel Has Fallen feels completely detached from reality.

There are tongue-in-cheek stabs at credibility, referencing Russian collusion, election interference, and “making our country strong again.” Then again, since this contemporary thriller also features a calm and dignified president who strives for bipartisanship, you know we’re dealing with a work of fiction.

The third installment in a series that began with Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen again follows beleaguered presidential bodyguard Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) as he contemplates a promotion that would allow him to spend more time with his family.

He’s now protecting President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) — a character who was Speaker of the House in the first film, then vice president in the second — as he’s subject to an elaborate high-tech assassination attempt while on a fishing trip.

With many of his colleagues killed in the ambush, and the lack of leads in the case, an eager FBI investigator (Jada Pinkett Smith) identifies Banning as a suspect while Trumbull, the only witness who knows the truth, is incapacitated because of his injuries.

Banning’s ensuing attempt to clear his name forces him to confront his past, and specifically his relationship with his estranged father (Nick Nolte), before he embarks on a vigilante mission to stop the perpetrators before they strike again.

This sequel falls in line with its predecessors in emphasizing loud, elaborate action sequences over real-world sociopolitical complexities. Subtlety is not the strong suit of director Ric Roman Waugh (Snitch), who nevertheless stages a handful of exciting set pieces. The pivotal first-act drone attack is a gripping highlight.

Butler can still handle the physical rigors of his signature role, and Freeman again brings the necessary gravitas to an authority figure he can play in his sleep. Their presence alone will be enough to draw in fans of prior two films, whose expectations might be satisfied although the story is less elaborate in terms of logistics.

Beneath the slick surface, however, the screenplay is unable to withstand much logical scrutiny — watering down most of its suspense and intrigue, and gradually becoming more far-fetched as it lumbers along. Like its hero, Angel Has Fallen relies on significantly more brawn than brains.

Rated R, 121 minutes.