HEADS OF STATE
Starring: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine, Carla Gugino, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle, Stephen Root, and Jack Quaid
Director: Ilya Naishuller
NICK
Much like how G20 was elevated by the actors within it, Heads of State succeeds off the chemistry of John Cena and Idris Elba. Is this another cliché action-comedy? Yes. It's got explosions, car chases, death fakeouts, and a soundtrack featuring both The Beastie Boys' “Sabotage” AND Mötley Crüe's “Kickstart My Heart.” But thanks to Cena and Elba’s performances (especially the former's version of the US President), some hard hitting fight sequences, and a badass Priyanka Chopra Jonas, I enjoyed every minute of it. Will this stand the test of time? No. Would I watch a sequel? Absolutely.
QUENTIN
In the doldrums of summer, when most television shows are between seasons and there are few sports to speak of outside of baseball, I suppose a streaming action movie like Heads of State serves a purpose for the watch-at-home-because-it’s-too-hot-outside crowd. That doesn’t make it a good movie, though. It’s just something you watch because it’s “free” on Prime and there is nothing else new and exciting available. Sadly, the comedy bits aren’t particularly funny, the action sequences are uninspired, and the political preachiness is shoehorned in. John Cena and Idris Elba do what they can with the lackluster banter provided by the script, but ehhh.
AMARÚ
I’d like to thank director Ilya Naishuller for continuing the great trend of entertaining popcorn-action staples with real stakes. Following up the excellent Nobody with the comedic-leaning Heads of State should raise his name to the likes of David Leitch and Chad Stahelski. Idris Elba and John Cena’s reunion brings tons of levity, but also a surprising amount of weight, especially from one of Cena’s best overall performances to date. All of which stem from establishing a truly dangerous set of antagonists and a badass Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Naishuller took all aspects of this film seriously and it shows in its excellent execution.
ADRIANO
It’s clear that Heads of State is only aiming for baseline entertainment. While I wouldn't call it apolitical, the attempts at political unity feel tacked on to a point of irrelevance (I also don't think it's saying "this is actually about Trump”). That aside, did I have fun? I wasn't miserable watching this, and the pairing of John Cena and Idris Elba are entertaining in pockets. That said, it wasn't particularly funny nor did the action have any weight. It actually felt like a fake movie Cena's character would star in. So go figure, it's a direct-to-streaming movie.
ROBERT
I respect Amazon’s hustle. Every few months they greenlight an action movie where the POTUS kicks ass and saves international relations like we are back in the mid-1990s. They could do this for decades and it would always hit, especially if it rides on the backs of actors with undeniable chemistry like Heads of State has with John Cena and Idris Elba. They knew they wanted another go after The Suicide Squad, so the leads produced this adrenaline rush together. Nothing reinvents the wheel in this film, it’s silly at weird times, and some of the set pieces are lame, but with a great cast and a bulletproof premise, you salute it and send it on its way.
BODE
Heads of State really started to click for me the moment an unhinged Jack Quaid had a big shootout with Russian terrorists to the tune of Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.” It’s not the first time that track has been used for a big action scene, but there’s a gleeful anarchy that director Ilya Naishuller brings to it that somewhat transcends the unoriginal song choice. That’s how I’d describe most of this film. There’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but thanks to those inspired set pieces, and fun chemistry between its ensemble cast, it goes down easy. Call it an ideal gentleman’s six.
