16 Critically Dismissed Recent Movies (That Weren't As Bad As You Think)
9. Angel Has Fallen
Rotten Tomatoes: 39% (Average Score: 5.02/10)
Critical Consensus: Cut from the same rough cloth as its predecessors, Angel Has Fallen rounds out a mostly forgettable action trilogy in fittingly mediocre fashion.
Angel has Fallen might be highly derivative and ultimately not that memorable, but it's still a rock-solid action flick with gripping action scenes and plenty of well-done thrills, making this a movie that's easy to enjoy. Therefore, the mixed-to-negative reviews feel overly harsh, especially since they're overlooking the best thing about the movie: its unexpectedly poignant tone.
With some interesting (and welcome) commentary on America's foreign policy and thought-provoking character moments for Gerard Butler's Mike Banning, this is actually a subtly touching, pleasingly progressive Hollywood blockbuster. Given that this is a follow-up to London has Fallen, which was one of the most racist and abhorrent Hollywood action films of recent years, it really deserves credit for that.
Add in good performances, especially from a scene-stealing Nick Nolte, and you've got the best film in the trilogy and one which has not deserved to be shunned by critics like it has. Still, audiences have been less harsh on it, so that's something.