March 19, 2013 | 5:45 pm

Review: ‘Olympus Has Fallen’

Posted by Joan Alperin-Schwartz

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As I was watching this film, I kept thinking about 'Die Hard'.

Even though 'Die Hard' was set in a hotel and 'Olympus Has Fallen' is set in the White House, the two films have a great deal in common...Terrorists take hostages...They make outrageous demands and only one man can stop them.

In the former, we have Bruce Willis as our hero...the man who can do what no other human on earth can do...In 'Olympus Has Fallen' directed by Antoine Fuqua ('Training Day') we have Gerard Butler or Bruce Willis light.

Of course that's just my opinion...I just don't find Butler's acting all that interesting...Although he was fun to watch in the film '300' but I think that had more to do with his body than his acting ability.

In 'Olympus Has Fallen' Butler plays Mike Banning, a former presidential Secret Service agent.  Mike had guarded the President and his son until an incident made him persona non gratia at the White House.

He now has a boring job at the Treasury Department and longs to return to the Presidential detail.  He's about to get his wish.

A group of Northern Korean extremists, led by super evil, Kang (Rick Hune) takes over the White House aka Olympus and captures President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) and his staff.

As an intense battle rages on the White House lawn, Banning must find his way into the besieged building to rescue the President, save Asher's young son...and stop these crazy Koreans from causing WW3.

Sounds like a fun ride huh? Yes and no...On the plus side, the premise is very interesting and makes you think...Is it possible for a small group of terriorists to take over the White House?  According to director Fuqua, it is.

The film is very well researched and the replica of the White House is perfect...

Unfortunately after awhile, the film becomes one big shooting fest...Bodies start piling up, while Speaker of the House, now Acting President, Allan Trumball (Morgan Freeman), Secret Service Director Lynne Jacobs (Angela Bassett) and General Edward Clegg (Robert Forster) sit around yelling at each other, trying to decide what to do about this little problem.

But they need not worry, because super hero extraordinaire, is about to do what hundreds of police, military, air force pilots, could not do...TAKE THESE BAD GUYS DOWN.

And that's the story folks...Familiar?  Definitely...Exciting? Some of the time...Predicitable...100 percent.

The supporting cast including Melissa Leo as Defense Secretary Ruth McMillan is fine, and she can really take a punch.

Ashley Judd makes a brief appearance as the President's wife, Radha Mitchell is Butler's better half, Cole Hauser and Dylan McDermott are SS agents.

I gave 'Olympus Has Fallen' which opens Friday, March 22nd, 2012 a very generous 3 bagels out of 5.  John wasn't as generous.

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