Olympus has Fallen

Issues of national security are more than often shown on the big screen with the US being the victim of either an alien invasion or terrorist attack and you can almost always expect there to be a traitor. The epitome of a national security issue, Olympus has fallen. Olympus, in greek mythology is a place where the Gods called home. The irony that the White House is being called Olympus but that's a whole other discussion altogether.

Gerard Butler stars as Mike Banning, an agent who was once on the president’s security detail. However following a car accident on a bridge where he chose to save the president which resulted in the first lady being killed. More than a year later, Banning is no longer on the president’s service. The movie also stars Angela Basset, Aaron Eckhart, Dylan McDermott and Morgan Freeman.

As the president meets with the Korean prime minister, a heavily armed military plane attacks the capital shooting down military jets and killing civilians in the streets below prompting the meeting to be cut short and the president ushered to the bunker beneath the white house. There it is revealed that Kang who arrived with the Korean prime minister is the one responsible for the attacks and has another plan in mind which is to see America as a wasteland.

Banning finds his way into the white house and must first find the president’s son then rescue the president from his kidnappers before they are able to retrieve the nuclear missile codes.

Forbes played by Dylan McDermott has betrayed his country and has joined forces with the North Korean rebels to take down America. Forbes is sent by Kang to kill Banning but is no match for him; in an effort to help undo his betrayal he tells Kang that he has killed Banning then Banning finally kills him.

After a failed attempt by the SEALs to gain back the white house, Banning has to try to save the president alone. 

When the helicopter requested by Kang is blown up with the remaining hostages on board it is assumed that he has taken his own life along with the president’s. However, Banning isn’t convinced and goes in search of Kang and the president. Banning is able to kill Kang and save the president but the countdown for the nuclear detonation has already begun. With 3 seconds to spare the nuclear bombs’ detonation is stopped and all is well for the United States.

What’s a good movie without a group of people in a room cheering about being alive and the safety of the Republic?

All in all what can be said about this movie and the realities are that a bunch of men play chess as it relates to the lives of the people of their countries. Their motivations based solely on greed, power or revenge and fueled by egos. 

“Olympus” did fall but only for 24 hours, Banning was quite efficient.