Is Heads of State a Must-Watch Action Thriller?

Imagine thia high-stakes PR mission aboard Air Force One, where the unforeseen consequence of a terrorist attack catapults an unlikely duo into a chaotic conspiracy that jeopardizes international alliances. This is the premise of Heads of State, here to steal a few hours of your weekend with an array of familiar action tropes and a rather underwhelming script.

Starring Idris Elba as the Prime Minister of the UK and John Cena as the President of the USA, the film unfolds with a surprisingly lightweight narrative, peppered with recycled jokes. Although it barely scratches the surface of what could have been an engaging political thriller, there’s just enough sparkle to keep you glued to the screen.

As the action shifts into gear, we find ourselves in recognizable buddy-cop territory, bolstered by the agile performance of Priyanka Chopra Jonas as MI6 agent Noel Bisset. The film tickles the senses just enough to become a potential weekend distraction for Stateside viewers heading into the 4th of July holiday. But does it carve a memorable spot in the lineage of action comedies? Almost certainly not.

Within 24 hours of its premiere, it’s hard to imagine anyone revisiting Heads of State when next Independence Day rolls around. The action pack is commendably staged, especially in the opening act. The electrifying attack on Air Force One allows the viewer to engage in the thrill, though its overall impact is somewhat dulled by a steady stream of predictable plot points.

Under the direction of Ilya Naishuller, known for the chaotic thrill rides in Hardcore Henry and Nobody, expectations were high. However, Heads of State lacks the raw edge and unrelenting violence characteristic of his previous works. Instead, viewers are treated to a sanitized experience, leaving many benefits of a robust action narrative untapped. The movie devolves into a series of car chases and helicopter visuals stripped of grit.

The cast itself is riddled with talent but ultimately underused, with dialogue that suggests more creativity was needed. The accusation that scripts nowadays could be the product of AI algorithms feels unnervingly fitting here.

Despite the talent involved, it feels like Cena and Elba are running on autopilot, lacking any palpable chemistry throughout their enemies-to-besties storyline. Chopra Jonas stands out but still appears to be part of a more potent project. Paddy Considine’s Eastern European antagonist role brings to mind a flat carnival ride, and Carla Gugino, playing the Vice President, barely conceals her disinterest.

Enter Jack Quaid, whose maniacal portrayal of CIA officer Marty Comer injects life into the narrative. His presence lights up the screen, making one yearn for a deeper dive into his character’s arc. Unfortunately, his infectious energy explores only a fraction of the unfolding chaos.

Ultimately, the narrative builds into a frenetic chase scene, wrapping up a convoluted political plot that’s largely forgettable. Its overarching themes of unity and cooperation, which portray an almost naive view of today’s divided world, offer little solace amidst the film’s glaring shortcomings.

While Heads of State isn’t the worst we’ve seen on Prime Video, it undoubtedly falls into the category of “turn your brain off” entertainment. Despite its star-studded cast, it seems to demand far less than their talents allow. We all deserve better than what this lackluster scripting serves.

Heads of State is available to stream on Prime Video.