Ultimately, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Die My Love, the new film from Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin, You Were Never Really Here). There’s a great deal to appreciate, admire, and even love. It’s certainly stuck with me since I first watched it and I can’t quite shake the idea of. At times it invites the viewer in, at times it keeps us at arm’s length, intentionally oblique to the point where it invites near endless interpretations.
Outside of a few violent charms, Olympus Has Fallen isn’t very good. London Has Fallen, however, captures that mid-80s Cannon Films action template, warts and all—it’s ugly, mean, jingoistic, and reprehensible, and I adore the head-stabby carnage of it all. So Angel Has Fallen, the third film in Gerard Butler’s Mike Banning trilogy, has a lot to live up to IMO. While it’s hits a few action high points, it’s ultimately a mixed bag and a shrug.
So, London Has Fallen is mean and dumb and as chest-thumpingly numb-skulled and jingoistic a movie as has been produced in years. And I love it. (Though oddly, not a fan of the first film in the series, Olympus Has Fallen.) I’m not sure what to expect from the follow-up, Angel Has Fallen, but you’re damn right I’m excited. I might be the only one. (Not true, actually, I know at least one other person more pumped up than I am.) The first trailer has arrived and I’m here for it all day.