By Susan Granger
Without a big budget or bankable stars, “Heads of State” manages to be a remarkably entertaining action/buddy comedy.
Former movie-star-turned-President of the United States Will Derringer (John Cena) has a chip on his shoulder when he meets British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba). During his election campaign, Clarke took his political rival out for fish-and-chips – and Derringer hasn’t forgotten that snub.
Nevertheless, when Air Force One is attacked as they’re flying to a NATO summit in Trieste, Derringer and Clarke team up to defeat determined assassins, part of arms dealer Viktor Gradov’s (Paddy Considine) global terrorist conspiracy, with the help of MI6 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who has a romantic history with Clarke.
Forced to parachute into Belarus, these two world leaders must make their way through Eastern Europe’s hostile territory in a livestock truck to a supposed ‘safe house’ in Warsaw, Poland, where they encounter quirky Station Agent Marty Comer (Jack Quaid).
Obviously basing his commando-in-chief characterization on aspirational Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Cena plays a petulant, often insecure Hollywood action hero best known for his successful “Water Cobra” franchise. His campaign mantra was: “We did it at the box-office – now we’ll do it in the Oval Office.”
In contrast, Idris Elba’s savvy, confident, Cambridge-educated Sam Clarke worked his way up the political ladder from modest means to become the first person of color to be elected U.K.’s Prime Minister.
Devised by Harrison Query who co-scripted with Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, it’s predictably directed by Ilya Naishuller who relies on the energetic ability of Cena and Idris to glibly bicker-and-banter their way through one dire, diverting dilemma after another.
FYI: In a deliberate nod to John Cena’s previous professional wrestling career, as they’re preparing to jump off a speeding train, Derringer tells Clarke to tuck his chin to his chest in order to protect himself from injury.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Heads of State” stumbles in with an escapist, simplistic 6, streaming on Prime Video.
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Susan Granger
Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in Journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has appeared on radio and television as an anchorwoman and movie critic for many years. Read all her reviews at susangranger.com.
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