You Just Watched London Has Fallen: Now What? Your Guide to Exploding Buildings and Saving the Day (Again)
So you just finished watching Gerard Butler single-handedly dismantle a terrorist plot in London. Impressive, right? But now you're left with that post-action-movie itch. Fear not, thrill-seeker, for Hollywood has a smorgasbord of films where things go boom and one lone hero emerges (relatively) unscathed.
Here's what to queue up next, depending on your post-London Has Fallen mood:
Need more Gerard Butler saving the world? Look no further than Angel Has Fallen (2019), the delightfully absurd sequel where Mike Banning, somehow still employed by the Secret Service, has to clear his name after being framed for a presidential assassination attempt. Think "London Has Fallen," but with even more explosions and a higher chance of Butler dramatically flipping a table.
Feeling the international intrigue? Olympus Has Fallen (2013) basically flips the script on "London Has Fallen." This time, it's the White House under attack, and Gerard Butler (shocking, I know) is the lone Secret Service agent who can stop it. Same over-the-top action, different global landmark in peril.
Craving a healthy dose of cheese alongside your explosions? White House Down (2013) offers a slightly more lighthearted take on the "rogue attackers take over the White House" plot. Channing Tatum stars as a disgraced Capitol Police officer who ends up teaming up with a tourist to save the day. Think less gritty realism, more "Die Hard in the Oval Office."
Want to see what happens when things REALLY go wrong? 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) is a more grounded (but still action-packed) look at the 2012 attack on a US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. This one's for those who want their explosions served with a side of real-world consequence.
Bonus: If you're feeling particularly adventurous, check out Air Force One (1997) where Harrison Ford plays the President forced to fight terrorists who hijack his presidential plane. It's an oldie but a goodie, with the added perk of seeing a pre-wrinkled Harrison Ford punching bad guys.
FAQ: Your Guide to Becoming a Badass Movie Hero (in Theory)
How to survive a terrorist attack (according to Hollywood):
- Be ridiculously skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
- Never run out of ammo (or witty one-liners).
- Always look effortlessly cool, even covered in dirt and sweat.
How to become a Secret Service agent (according to Hollywood):
- Option 1: Be a former military badass with a troubled past.
- Option 2: Be inexplicably good at talking your way into high-security situations.
How to stop a global catastrophe (according to Hollywood):
- Improvise wildly with whatever weapons you can find.
- Never underestimate the power of a well-placed explosion.
- Always have a plan B (because plan A usually involves a lot of collateral damage).
How to maintain peak physical fitness for all your action-hero needs?
- Apparently, surviving multiple explosions and near-death experiences is a great workout.
How to avoid being stereotyped in action movies?
- If you're not the hero, statistically speaking, you're probably going to die.
There you have it! Your one-stop guide to finding your next action movie fix. Remember, these are just suggestions – the world of exploding buildings and improbable heroes is vast. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to have your mind blown (figuratively, of course).
