Heads of State: A Lifeless Action Movie (Early Review)

Back when the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Sylvester Stallone were the kings of the action genre, their films were designed to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Even when their plots were thin or over-the-top, there was still a level of cinematic craftsmanship and energy that made them worthy of the theatrical experience. Since then, the blockbuster action subgenre continues to exist and thrive at the box office, just look at the Fast and the Furious franchise, or even the steady stream of Liam Neeson and Jason Statham thrillers. Even if they may not appeal to critics, even the most cynical will likely understand why audiences keep going back to theatres.

But in recent years, especially in the post-pandemic era, Netflix has developed its own brand of action movie. These can be characterized by having big stars and huge budgets, but no cinematic flair whatsoever. These films are made for at-home viewing and look like it, often feeling lazy and uninspired. They are heavy on visual effects, light on practical stunts or any sense directorial voice, and usually have a dull, greyscale color palette. Despite poor critical reception, they consistently rack up high streaming numbers, which has not gone unnoticed by rival streaming platforms. Now, viewers have been seeing a wave of similarly bland, forgettable action movies across various streamers. Heads of State, a Prime Video original film, is yet the latest example of a work that fits perfectly into this new era of factory-made action films: glossy, generic, and void of any lasting impact.

Heads of State stars Idris Elba and John Cena as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States, respectively. Elba plays Sam Clarke, a no-nonsense leader who’s been in office for six years and one that has been more focused on running his country efficiently than winning popularity contests. Cena’s Will Derringer, on the other hand, is a former action star and A-list celebrity who’s relatively new to politics. He lacks experience in legislation but is wildly popular thanks to his charisma and optimism. The two world leaders, meanwhile, share a very public rivalry. Sam sees Will as an unqualified figurehead, while Will resents Sam for being cold, dismissive, and unwilling to maintain the appearance of unity between their nations. After a NATO press conference devolves into a heated argument that makes headlines, the two agree to board the same Air Force One flight as a show of solidarity. But their PR stunt takes a deadly turn when the plane is targeted and shot down. Stranded and on the run, the two leaders must put their differences aside to survive and stop a global conspiracy that threatens the world.

In today’s world, where global tensions are rising and international politics feel more volatile than ever, a 90s-style, apolitical, White House-adjacent action movie. like this one. feels not just outdated, but almost tone-deaf. That’s not to say every film involving world leaders or government needs to make a political statement. Films like Civil War and Warfare at least have some emotional heft, or spark discussion, and are pristinely made. Heads of State, however, seems content to poke fun at global diplomacy without any real insight or awareness. It plays like a caricature of international relations from the Bill Clinton era, recycling old tropes with no fresh perspective. In a time when the world is reckoning with real, high-stakes issues, this kind of shallow, slapstick take on geopolitics feels irrelevant and a little embarrassing.

But honestly, that’s not even the film’s biggest problem. As a critic, it’s our responsibility to evaluate every film on its own terms, judging it not by what we want a film to be, but by what it is trying to accomplish. In this case, it clearly isn’t aiming to be profound or groundbreaking; it just wants to be a high-octane part buddy comedy, part action thriller. Fair enough. The issue is, even by those modest standards, Heads of State is not a very entertaining movie. There are at least twenty other action films with a similar premise that pull it off with far more finesse, stronger direction, and actual entertainment value. That being said, it is not that this kind of film can’t work, but this genre has a reputation of recycling ideas and striving for the bare minimum, and it is because films like this keep being produced.

Much of Heads of State rests on the shoulders of Elba and Cena, both seasoned, charismatic action stars who’ve more than proven their worth in this genre. Despite their lofty credentials, the film gives neither anything interesting to work with. As Clarke, Elba plays yet another hardened, no-nonsense leader, a role he’s done better and with more depth in other films. Cena, on the other hand, has strong comedic instincts and can be genuinely funny as Derringer, but the writing is so flat and devoid of personality that even his timing can’t save it. However, the one bright spot in the cast is Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who brings much-needed energy to the film as Noel Bisset. In spite of limited screen-time, she steals the show and proves that she looks to be an action star on the rise. Her scenes with Elba, in particular, are among the most watchable parts of the film, thanks to their genuine chemistry.

On the technical side, the film is completely devoid of flair. Its color palette is washed-out and greyscale, giving it a flat, lifeless look that screams “made-for-streaming.” Along those lines, this is not a film that would benefit from being seen on a big screen. The bigger the screen, the more apparent its sloppy execution becomes. The action sequences, which should normally be the main selling point of a film like this, barely clear the bar of passable. They are uninspired, static, and far too underwhelming for a work that relies so heavily on them to carry the experience.

In the end, Heads of State is simply another entry in the growing catalogue of forgettable, assembly-line action movies made directly for streaming. Despite two leads that do have charisma and typically thrive in this kind of arena, it is bogged down by a terrible script, dull visuals, and action sequences that just aren’t exciting. There is no edge, no personality, and no real reason for this film to exist beyond filling a content quota. While probably not the worst thing one will watch this year, it is easily one of the most uninspired and pointless films in recent memory.

*still courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios*

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Tristan French