Idris Elba + John Cena: the two stars are the cast of the most fun action comedy of summer

It may well be the ultimate buddy movie. This sub-genre popularized in the 80s and 90s associates two characters that everything opposes: it works as well in action cinema (Tango and Cash, 48 hours, the fatal weapon …) as in the comic register (Junior, Dumb & Dumber, Wayne's World …).

For a Buddy Movie to work, above all you have to find the two perfect headliners. In the case of the film Heads of State, the mission was accomplished with the main roles the two superstars of action cinema: Idris Elba and John Cena. Two actors who know each other very well, since they have already shared the poster for the Squad suicide of James Gunn.

The “special relationship” of two superstars of action cinema

The peculiarity of Heads of State is to offer a buddy movie of action featuring the President of the United States (CENA), a very popular actor recently elected to the White House, and the British Prime Minister (ELBA), a former soldier converted into politics. A concept yet never seen, which offers the ideal playground to these two punchline specialists.

This duo is supplemented by the presence in the casting of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in the role of a secret badass agent, and Jack Quaid in the shoes of a CIA agent an eccentric bit. The role of the big villain of the film was entrusted to Paddy Considine, and the vice-president of the United States is embodied by Carla Gugino.

Heads of State only ambition to ensure quality entertainment. The film rests largely on the shoulders of its two main headliners. Too bad the scenario is also agreed, and does not allow itself more follies as nevertheless suggested the starting pitch.

An overly wise film, which does not exploit its villain enough

But the real disappointment of the film lies in the character of the big villain, never developed and constantly under-exploited. What a pity to have taken an actor of the DEPDY Considine caliber, however excellent in this type of role, to do not in the end much. The quality of a bad-guy is however an essential element in the success of a Buddy Movie …

The action scenes are quite good, although it is asputing like most modern action films. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is doing well, and sometimes even steals the show from her two male game partners. Overall, thanks in particular to its duration not exceeding 1h50, Heads of State looks with a certain guilty pleasure.

Heads of State is therefore in the category of dispensable and forgetable streaming films, but not in that of shameful feature films. An outing at the cinema would have clearly been too much, but as content to accompany the start of the holidays, this action film worn by John Cena and Idris Elba does a rather suitable job.

Heads of State can now be found exclusively on Prime Video.

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