White House Down – Review

Courtesy: Columbia Pictures‘ “White House Down,” starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.

Before we begin with the White House Down review, here’s a grief.

Why isn’t it that an animal gets struck in a sticky situation, along with the good guys, that is? I mean wouldn’t it be fun, if say, a pig got stuck in a hostage situation in a movie? It would be nerve-wrecking to try to keep it quiet, and just when the protagonist wants it to be silent as a statue, it grunts!

How’s this related tour review? Well simply because White House Down deals with hostage situations.

Anyway, coming back to White House Down: bringing back delightful memories of Bruce Willis’ original Die Hard, Columbia Pictures’ White House Down is an entertainment joyride that keeps the adrenaline pumped up right until the end.

Jamie Foxx, left, and Channing Tatum star in Columbia Pictures’ “White House Down.”

Bearing similarities to the recent Olympus Has Fallen’s theme, White House Down is an action thriller at its best.

The story is simple: Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) is trying to mend relations with his estranged daughter Emily (Joey King). Emily somehow happens to be a fan of the Secret Service and the White House, and all that spy stuff.

L-r, Channing Tatum, Joey King and Jamie Foxx star in Columbia Pictures’ “White House Down.”

John on the other hand wants to apply at the White House to get a job protecting the President.

To try and conciliate Emily, off they go together to the White House; John for an interview, and Emily for a tour.

But little do they know that their one single outing as a family would turn into a nightmare, when some bad guys take over the White House! Memories of John McClane anyone? Funny how the first names of both characters is John.

Channing Tatum, left, and Jamie Foxx star in Columbia Pictures’ “White House Down.”

Anyway, long story short, John fights his way through the enemy to save President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx).

It is a very predictable, simple story, that with besides a couple of plot twists, and a few exceptional stunts, offers nothing new. But this is where is scores; because it keeps the adrenaline pumped up, not by those unexpected story complications, but by the sheer joy derived out of watching the good guy kill the bad gut. Just like in the good old 70s and 80s action movies.

The cry goes round: bring back Stallone, Willis, Van-Damme and the others!

Watch out for a heart warming performance by Joey King, and comedic relief by Jamie Foxx.

These days, the over-use of special effects and hard-to-keep-up story-lines has rendered the task of watching an action movie to be dull chore.

Channing Tatum stars in Columbia Pictures’ “White House Down,” also starring Jamie Foxx.

But then comes along this breath of fresh air in the form of White House Down, and it brings back a faint hope that there may still be time for action movies to redeem themselves.

Rating: 4 stars

By Joseph Rana, Editor-in-Chief, His Master’s Review

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