Angel Has Fallen

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “In fact, none of the performances here are phoned in. Freeman shows great aptitude for the presidency and should consider running — then he could play the president onscreen and off. And as the vice president, Tim Blake Nelson finally gets a role worthy of his depth.”

  Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle · 75

• “Gerard Butler boasts an engaging screen presence that can make even junky movies fun. Maybe it’s the blustery swagger or his jokey attitude that essentially screams, “I’m not taking any of this too seriously.” Either way, it works, especially in Angel Has Fallen.”

  Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic · 70

• “Waugh’s action set pieces don’t surprise so much as operate with impressive efficiency”

  Dom Sinacola, Paste Magazine · 69

• “Angel Has Fallen attempts to tell a slightly more mature story. Waugh seems to barter for creative control by the act: As long as the studio gets a respectable pairing of intro and outro set-pieces, Waugh is free to explore unexpected elements of trauma and masculinity.”

  Matthew Monagle, Austin Chronicle · 67

• “At the heart of the “Has Fallen” franchise is the affection between men, and Butler has always shared the best chemistry with his male co-stars. That spark in “Angel” comes from Butler’s scenes with Nick Nolte, as his father, Clay, a veteran living off the grid.”

  Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune · 63